Books About America

Last updated: July 13, 2026

From picture books to novels, silly tales to serious ones, these titles draw on America's heritage to create entertaining stories for kids. Check out Bad Kitty for President, which does a great job of explaining the U.S. political system, and Grace for President, which clarifies the role of the electoral college. See how hard women fought for voting rights in Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles. And find out what the founding fathers were really like in The Founding Fathers: Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America. They're great selections for election season, Presidents' Day, the Fourth of July -- or anytime! Also check out our Books About the American Revolution and Historical Fiction lists.

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Blue Sky White Stars Poster Image

BOOK

Blue Sky White Stars

age 4+

Stirring, poetic take on America and flag has majestic art.

Sarvinder Naberhaus Picture Book (2017)

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Crankee Doodle Poster Image

BOOK

Crankee Doodle

age 4+

Yankee Doodle refuses to go town in silly takeoff.

Tom Angleberger Picture Book (2013)

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Fireworks book cover: Silhouettes of two kids looking up at exploding fireworks in a blue sky

BOOK

Fireworks

age 4+

Lovely holiday tale captures thrill of city Fourth of July.

Matthew Burgess Picture Book (2025)

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Of Thee I Sing Poster Image

BOOK

Of Thee I Sing

age 4+

Educational, inspirational profiles of 13 American heroes.

Barack Obama History (2010)

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We Are Mighty book cover: Six of 12 "ordinary" Americans in the book appear on a teal background around the white title

BOOK

We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing

age 4+

Lively look at 12 extraordinary "ordinary" Americans.

Sharon McMahon Picture Book (2026)

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Abe Lincoln's Dream Poster Image

BOOK

Abe Lincoln's Dream

age 5+

Girl's journey with Lincoln's ghost applauds U.S. progress.

Lane Smith Fantasy (2012)

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Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles Poster Image

BOOK

Around America to Win the Vote: Two Suffragists, a Kitten, and 10,000 Miles

age 5+

Two women stump for right to vote in fresh, upbeat story.

Mara Rockliff Picture Book (2016)

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Dear Mr. Washington Poster Image

BOOK

Dear Mr. Washington

age 5+

Artist's kids get George to smile in funny historical romp.

Lynn Cullen Picture Book (2015)

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Abraham Poster Image

BOOK

Abraham

age 6+

Powerful bio of Abraham Lincoln uses his own words.

Frank Keating Picture Book (2017)

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Grace for President Poster Image

BOOK

Grace for President

age 6+

School campaign tale explains U.S. democracy in fun way.

Kelly DiPucchio Picture Book (2007)

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I Am Benjamin Franklin: Ordinary People Change the World Poster Image

BOOK

I Am Benjamin Franklin: Ordinary People Change the World

age 6+

Fun, lively, info-packed intro to Founding Father.

Brad Meltzer Biography (2020)

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Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything Poster Image

BOOK

Thomas Jefferson: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything

age 6+

Lively, frank portrait of Jefferson, flaws and all.

Maira Kalman History (2014)

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Bad Kitty for President Poster Image

BOOK

Bad Kitty for President

age 7+

Smart, savvy civics lesson served with lots of laughs.

Nick Bruel For Beginning Readers (2012)

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Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies Poster Image

BOOK

Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies

age 7+

Fascinating profiles celebrate women of American Revolution.

Cokie Roberts History (2014)

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Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History ... and Our Future! Poster Image

BOOK

Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries Who Shaped Our History ... and Our Future!

age 7+

Artful profiles of groundbreakers are fresh, inspiring.

Kate Schatz Biography (2015)

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What's the Big Deal About Elections Poster Image

BOOK

What's the Big Deal About Elections

age 7+

Info-packed, kid-friendly look at voting in the USA.

Ruby Shamir History (2018)

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Her Right Foot Poster Image

BOOK

Her Right Foot

age 8+

Inspiring, fresh take on the welcoming Statue of Liberty.

Dave Eggers Picture Book (2017)

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My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth Poster Image

BOOK

My Name Is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth

age 8+

Inspirational and informative intro to an American hero.

Ann Turner Biography (2015)

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The Founding Fathers!: Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America Poster Image

BOOK

The Founding Fathers!: Those Horse-Ridin', Fiddle-Playin', Book-Readin', Gun-Totin' Gentlemen Who Started America

age 8+

History this lively should be required reading in school.

Jonah Winter History (2015)

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Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America Poster Image

BOOK

Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America

age 9+

Captivating storytelling makes these heroes relatable.

Andrea Davis Pinkney History (2012)

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