18 Best Colonial & Revolutionary Periods Books

A dramatic, gripping history of the Siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolution, told through vastly different perspectives

In October 1781, American, French, and British forces converged on a small village named Yorktown–a place that the British would try to forget and Americans would forever remember. In his riveting, balanced, and thoroughly researched account of the Revolutionary War’s last pivotal conflict, author-historian Tim Grove follows the true stories of American, French, and British players, whose lives intersected at Yorktown.

Through very different viewpoints–from General George Washington to the notorious traitor Benedict Arnold, from young French hero Lafayette to British General Lord Cornwallis, and an enslaved man named James who became a spy–The World Turned Upside Down tells the story of bold decisions made by famous military leaders, as well as the everyday courage shown by civilians. For every side involved, the world forever turned upside down at Yorktown.

Everybody knows about the Founding Fathers and the Declaration of Independence in 1776. But the founders weren’t the only ones who believed that everyone had a right to freedom. Mumbet, a Massachusetts slave, believed it too. She longed to be free, but how? Would anyone help her in her fight for freedom? Could she win against her owner, the richest man in town? Mumbet was determined to try.

In this jaw-dropping final installment of New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman’s action-packed series, four risk-taking friends travel back in time to record the most infamous duel in American history.

Billionaire Miss Z might be out of the picture, but a top-secret agency wants to send Luke, Julia, David, and Isabel on one final mission. This time, the Flashback Four are headed to Weehawken, New Jersey–in 1804–to videotape the fateful duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr.

But once they arrive, the team faces a question of historic proportions: Should they capture the tragic details of the duel or try to change them?

The Hamilton-Burr Duel tells the story of one of history’s fiercest rivalries from a fun and fresh new angle.

This is the true story of James Lafayette, a slave who spied for George Washington’s army during the American Revolution. But while America celebrated its newfound freedom, James returned to slavery. His service hadn’t qualified him for the release he’d been hoping for. For James, the fight wasn’t over; he’d already helped his country gain its freedom, now it was time to win his own.

In this sequel The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by Newbery Medalist Avi, Oliver’s adventures take him to the 18th century American colonies, where he is forced to fend for himself in the harsh wilderness, live as an indentured servant, and come face to face with the brutality of enslavement. Convicted of thievery and transported from England to America, Oliver Cromwell Pitts, shackled to his fellow prisoners, endures inedible food, filthy conditions, and deadly storms on his voyage across the Atlantic. But the hazardous shipboard journey is nothing compared to the peril that waits for him on the colonial shores. In Annapolis, Oliver’s indentured servitude is purchased by the foul, miserly Fitzhugh, who may have murdered another servant. On Fitzhugh’s isolated tobacco farm, Oliver’s only companion is an enslaved boy named Bara. Oliver and Bara become fast friends with one powerful goal: to escape Fitzhugh. Oliver hopes he can find his sister, Charity, brought somewhere in the colonies on a different ship. Bara dreams of reaching a community of free black people in the cypress swamp who may help him gain his liberty. But first the boys must flee Fitzhugh’s plantation and outrun their brutal pursuer and the dangers that lurk in the swamp.

Yankee Doodle went to town / a-riding on a pony / stuck a feather in his hat / and called it macaroni.” Many know the song ” Yankee Doodle Dandy,” but few understand it. This unapologetically silly picture book reveals that the legendary ride to town (and the whole macaroni thing) was all suggested by Mr. Doodle’ s overeager pony. This just makes Mr. Doodle cranky: ” I do not want macaroni. I do not want a feather. I do not want any other clothing, any other pasta, or any other parts of a bird. I do not want anything that they have in town!” A historical note ends this colorful, comical take on a nonsensical old song.

Ben Franklin loved to swim and, at the age of eleven, he was determined to swim like a fish – fins and all! This fascinating and lively account of young Ben’s earliest invention follows the budding scientist’s journey as he tests and retests his swim fins. That first big splash led Ben to even more innovations and inventions.

Anna Smith Strong (1790-1812) was a fearless woman who acted as a spy for George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Recruited by Washington’s spymaster Major Benjamin Tallmadge, she joined the Culper Ring, a group of American spies. General Washington placed a huge amount of trust in his spies, and Anna helped pass him important messages at great risk to herself and her family. One of her cleverer devices was to hang laundry on the line in a planned fashion so that other spies could read the “message.” Had she been discovered by the British, she would have faced jail or execution.

Thrilling and dramatic, Anna Strong tells the story of how one brave woman helped change the course of American history.

A short, red-headed and red-faced man with a bold personality, Myles Standish is remembered for his soldierly defense of the Mayflower Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony. But he was just one participant in a legendary struggle for the colony’s survival in a harsh new world. Departing from Holland, the Pilgrims fought off hunger, disease, and terrifying weather to arrive on the northeast coast of North America.Working tirelessly to establish a settlement before the onslaught of winter, the settlers learned how to plant maize from the friendly Indians they encountered, including an invaluable translator they called Squanto and the great chief Massasoit. But difficulties with other, unfriendly, Indians spurred Myles Standish to stand tall and build a fort to defend their homesteads. This exciting tale of the early settlers and their hard-won triumphs and many tragedies illuminates an important part of American history for young listeners. Acclaimed author Cheryl Harness’ enthusiastic interpretation makes the story of the first Thanksgiving fascinating for children and their parents alike. “.a refreshing counterpoint to dry, stodgy histories.”-VOYA

In this stirring tale of survival set against the backdrop of the founding of Jamestown, young listeners are introduced to Samuel Collier, the page of famed Captain John Smith. A school perennial and favorite among educators since 2001.

In 1607, a year after the Virginia Company was granted a charter to establish a settlement in North America, 104 men set sail on a voyage to a new land. Among the brave adventurers who make the journey is a young boy named Samuel Collier, the page of famed Captain John Smith. Disease, famine, and continuing attacks by neighboring Algonquin Native Americans take a tremendous toll on the settlers. Samuel is one of the few to survive the harsh realities of the New World during the first few years of Jamestown.

Fourteen-year-old Samantha Byrd is an excellent shot-she’s even better than her brother at providing food for her family. Although the winds of war are blowing in Virginia, she knows that she could only ever use her skill for hunting-not for hurting another person. When the Revolutionary War finally begins, her brother is captured, and Samantha sets off to rescue him. But when she comes face to face with the enemy, will she still stand by her principles, or will she pull the trigger?

Bring history back to life through Jim Hodges’ historically accurate, exciting, and edifying audio recordings.

This is the compelling and historically accurate story “Richard of Jamestown” by the incredible nineteenth century author James Otis. The tale is told from the perspective of ten-year-old Richard Mutton, who actually did sail with Captain John Smith on the Susan B. Constant to found the Jamestown Colony. The purpose of this story, as well as the other stories in the Colonial America series, is to show children the home life of the colonists they meet in their history books, while also describing the major events and history of the people who settled this continent, whether for conscience’s sake or gain.

Written in the 1800s, the Young Listeners Collection features children’s stories from yesterday’s classics. Learn from our nation’s founders whose Christian faith was lived out in the lives of the characters in these stories.

Young Patriots Series

The life of John Hancock, contemporary of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere and first person to sign the Declaration of Independence, is featured in this volume of the Young Patriots series. Detailing Hancock’s early years, this work focuses on his relationship with boyhood friend, John Adams, and his academic struggles with what he would later become most famous for: his writings.

Praised by parents, teachers, and historians, the Young Patriots Series is an ideal way to sweep today’s young readers into history. The everyday details of family life, the time period in which they lived, what they wore, and the challenges they faced in school create a window through which children can access history. The early evidence of character, responsibility, ability, and courage showcase situations to which every child can relate.

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Children’s author and teacher in the MFA Writing for Children program at Chatham University, Kitty Griffin shows a special adeptness for entertaining young readers and producing stories kids turn to again and again. The Ride is the tale of a girl and her pony-and a special mission that changes the course of American history. Inspired by 200 years of oral tradition, Griffin’s memorable children’s book has been called the “girl power answer to Paul Revere.”

For the millions of children around the world who loved The Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O’Dell continues the breathtaking story of Karana, a Native American woman stranded on an island off the coast of California. O’Dell mixes stirring drama with historical insights into 18th-century California Mission life to create an unforgettable sequel to a modern classic of children’s literature.

Explores the Battles of Lexington and Concord of the American Revolution. Authoritative text, illuminating sidebars, and questions to prompt critical thinking make this an exciting and informative read. Short Audiobook Cover Image Copyright John H. Daniels & Son/Library of Congress; Courtesy of the Library of Congress, 2004669976

Bring history back to life through Jim Hodges’ historically accurate, exciting, and edifying audio recordings.

Twelve-year-old Peter Hulbert is left an orphan in Leyden, Holland, as the rest of the Pilgrim’s sail for the New World. A merchant of the West India Company takes him to New Amsterdam as his servant. Here Peter’s adventures begin in this historically accurate tale of life in old New York.

The purpose of this story is to show children the home life of the colonists with whom they meet in their history books. So that the stories may appeal more directly to the children, they are told from the viewpoint of a child and purport to have been related by a child. It is entertaining as well as instructive for young people to read of the toil and privations in the homes of those who came into a new world to build a country for themselves, and such facts are not to be found in history books.

Written in the 1800s, the Young Listeners Collection features children’s stories from yesterday’s classics. Learn from our nation’s founders whose Christian faith was lived out in the lives of the characters in these stories.

George Rogers Clark was a famous general in the Revolutionary War, and his explorations served as the inspiration for his younger brother, William, the leader of the famous Lewis and Clark expedition. Now you can read about the boyhood of George and share in the first adventures of this lifelong hero.

Praised by parents, teachers, and historians, the Young Patriots Series is an ideal way to sweep today’s young listeners into history. The everyday details of family life, the time period in which they lived, what they wore, and the challenges they faced in school create a window through which children can access history. The early evidence of character, responsibility, ability, and courage are showcased in common situations to which every child can relate.