"Best of" Lists

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Books About the American Revolution

The American colonial period and the Revolutionary War for independence from Britain are rich subjects for kids. From the excitement of battles to spying against the Red Coats, there's plenty to engage young readers and ground students in the period. For more books about history, check out our lists Historical Fiction and Graphic Novels That Teach History.
Dear Mr. Washington Poster Image
BOOK

Dear Mr. Washington

age 5+

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

By: Lynn Cullen (2015)
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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.

By: Brad Meltzer (2020)
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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.

By: Cokie Roberts (2014)
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I Am George Washington: Ordinary People Change the World Poster Image
BOOK

I Am George Washington: Ordinary People Change the World

age 7+

Cute, engaging bio applauds having the courage to be first.

By: Brad Meltzer (2016)
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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.

By: Jonah Winter (2015)
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The Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution: A Handbook for Time Travelers Poster Image
BOOK

The Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution: A Handbook for Time Travelers

age 8+

Jokey history offers Yelp-like reviews for time travelers.

By: Jonathan W. Stokes (2018)
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Who Was Alexander Hamilton? Poster Image
BOOK

Who Was Alexander Hamilton?

age 8+

Exciting, easy-to-read bio expands on Broadway hit.

By: Pam Pollack, Meg Belviso (2017)
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Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington's Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away; Young Readers Edition Poster Image
BOOK

Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge: George and Martha Washington's Courageous Slave Who Dared to Run Away; Young Readers Edition

age 9+

Riveting bio is a great resource for teaching about slavery.

By: Erica Armstrong Dunbar, Kathleen Van Cleve (2019)
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Sophia's War: A Tale of the Revolution Poster Image
BOOK

Sophia's War: A Tale of the Revolution

age 9+

Girl becomes spy in absorbing American Revolution tale.

By: Avi (2012)
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Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Alexander Hamilton: The Making of America, Book 1

age 10+

Succinct, kid-friendly bio of America's trendiest founder.

By: Teri Kanefield (2017)
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Chains: The Seeds of America Trilogy, Book 1 Poster Image
BOOK

Chains: The Seeds of America Trilogy, Book 1

age 11+

Powerful story of slavery in 1776 New York.

By: Laurie Halse Anderson (2008)
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Early Thunder Poster Image
BOOK

Early Thunder

age 11+

Teen boy chooses sides in dramatic Revolutionary War tale.

By: Jean Fritz (2000)
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Johnny Tremain Poster Image
BOOK

Johnny Tremain

age 11+

Sweeping tale of redcoats, revolutionaries, and brave boy.

By: Esther Forbes (1943)
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My Brother Sam Is Dead Poster Image
BOOK

My Brother Sam Is Dead

age 11+

Great novel about the American Revolution for older kids.

By: James Lincoln Collier (1974)
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The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington (Young Reader's Edition) Poster Image
BOOK

The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington (Young Reader's Edition)

age 12+

Brits try to assassinate Washington in gripping page-turner.

By: Brad Meltzer, Josh Mensch (2020)
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Woods Runner Poster Image
BOOK

Woods Runner

age 12+

Page-turner peppered with Revolutionary War history.

By: Gary Paulsen (2010)
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Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary Poster Image
BOOK

Alexander Hamilton, Revolutionary

age 13+

Challenging but engaging bio of the complex Founding Father.

By: Martha Brockenbrough (2017)
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Hamilton and Peggy: A Revolutionary Friendship Poster Image
BOOK

Hamilton and Peggy: A Revolutionary Friendship

age 13+

Engaging mix of history, romance set in Revolutionary War.

By: L.M. Elliott (2018)
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The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party Poster Image
BOOK

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party

age 15+

Compelling tale of slavery, experiment in Revolutionary era.

By: M.T. Anderson (2006)
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