Colonial America Learning Resources for Purchase

For Younger Scholars

• Samuel Eaton's Day, Sarah Morton's Day, On the Mayflower, and Tapenum's Day by Kate Waters. This series is brimming with pictures of historical interpreters at the Plimoth Plantation and Patuxet Village Living History Museum and brings the lives of Pilgrim and Wampanoag Indian children to life.

• Colonial Times and American Revolution by Joy Masoff

• Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness. Beautifully illustrated, this story follows the stories of Allerton children through the first year while they establish Plymouth Colony.

• If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern. This book has a wonderful way of allowing a reader to picture stepping foot in the Colonial Era of New England Colonists.

• 6 Felicity books of the American Girl series. Set in Williamsburg, Virginia, Felicity was one of the first of the American Girl series and brings the Colonial Capital of Virginia to life!

• If You Grew Up with George Washington by Ruth Belov Gross. This personalizes the "Father of his Country", George Washington.

• Life of Washington in Words of One Syllable by Josephine Pollard. Written in the late 1800s, this reprint in a beautiful rendition makes the life of Washington accessible to young readers.

• If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy. This book inspires imagination to consider being at such a powerful time in world history!

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Jean Fritz Books — a beloved, character-driven series that makes the Founders approachable for younger readers:

• And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?

• Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?

• Will You Sign Here, John Hancock?

• Where Was Patrick Henry on the 29th of May?

• What's the Big Idea, Ben Franklin?

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For Older Scholars

• William Bradford: Plymouth's Faithful Pilgrim by Gary D. Schmidt. This book follows the life of William Bradford from a young age. It illustrates the faith of the Pilgrims in overcoming adversity and how it shines in a powerful, yet easy to understand way. Highly recommended!

• Guns for General Washington by Seymour Reit. This books portrays the herculean task of bringing 59 great guns (cannon) from upstate New York to Boston across snow and ice to drive the British out of Boston. Excellent historical fiction!           

• America's Ethan Allen by Stewart Holbrook & Lynd Ward. This book portrays the rugged and bold independence that allowed Fort Ticonderoga and the cannon referenced above to be captured in the first place.

• Give Me Liberty: The Uncompromising Statesmanship of Patrick Henry  by David Vaughan. A fantastic read that portrays what an impact of the life of a believer in Jesus Christ may have!

• Private Yankee Doodle: Memoirs of Private Joseph Plumb Martin, an eyewitness to the war. Powerful primary accounts from a young Patriot soldier.

• The Fighting Ground by Avi. Vivid historical fiction of a young Patriot soldier.

• Spies on the Devil's Belt by Betsy Haynes. Historical fiction portraying daring secrecy in gaining intelligence in New England.

• They Made a Revolution: 1776  by Jules Archer. A detailed look at the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

• Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Set in Boston, this classic historical fiction tells of a 14 year old silversmith who serves with the Sons of Liberty.

• Carry on, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham. A venerated classic book for young adult readers of historical fiction based on the figure of Nathaniel Bowditch, a New England astronomer and mathematician who founded modern navigation.

• A Spy in Williamsburg by Isabelle Lawrence. A riveting historical fiction book.

• Duel in the Wilderness by Karin Clafford Farley. Based upon Washington's Journal of his Journey to the Forks of the Ohio River to a warning to the French by King George II of Britain, this a stirring adventure of historical fiction writing!

• The Bulletproof George Washington by David Barton. This is a fantastic book that describes the remarkable, accurate history of what transpired with George Washington during the French and Indian War.

• America's Providential History by Mark A. Beliles & Stephen K. McDowell. An outstanding book that places events in context and includes powerful descriptions of defining moments.

• 1776 by David McCullough. A sweeping narrative that describes a pivotal year in rich detail.

• The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates: A Proper Resistance to Tyranny and a Repudiation of Unlimited Obedience to Civil Government by Matthew J. Trewhella. This book is based upon the Bible and the historical writing by Reformers, such as Lex Rex and the 1550 Magdeburg Confession. It does clearly presents the four levels of tyranny and fitting response to each level.

• Declaring Liberty  by Doctor Pastor Paul Jehle. An easy to read and profound description the history and principles in the Declaration of Independence in the context of American history. Having heard Dr. Jehle's sharing of history in person, his writing conveys his love for history and gift for storytelling.

• The Delaware Continentals by Christopher Ward. An outstanding, authoritative work that traces the service of the Delaware Continentals. Many of our engaging, living history learning adventures bring the events described to life!

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Illustrated Books

• The American Revolution: A Visual History by Dorling-kindersley. An extraordinary compilation of 500 images from the War, including original artifacts and paintings. A museum collection in a book!

• Liberty: Don Troiani's Paintings of the Revolutionary War by artist Don Troiani. In my humble opinion, the greatest contemporary artist of military history alive today! Mr. Troiani has an extensive private collection of artifacts and includes living historians as models to create incredibly detailed and accurate depictions of defining moments and descriptions of the War.

• Story of the American Revolution and Uniforms of the American Revolution coloring books by Peter F. Copeland

• A Coloring Book of the American Revolution by Bellephron Books

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Science and Nature

• Dragonflies of North America (Princeton Field Guides) by Ed Lam - A beautifully illustrated and authoritative compilation of these fascinating creatures

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Recommended Viewing

• Townsends 18th Century Life - An outstanding ongoing series exploring daily life in the 1700s!

• Colonial Fort Michilimackinac - Demonstrations of 18th Century soldier's uniforms and equipment, along with women's period clothing

• Townsends and Samson Historical  - Excellent sources for reproduction clothing, tools, and goods, along with rich visual references

• A visit to a Colonial chandler (candlemaker) - A fun, hands-on look at an essential Colonial trade

• American Battlefield Trust's animated Revolutionary War Map - An outstanding visual summary of the entire War for Independence

• Washington's War (short film shown at Mount Vernon) - Note: contains intense battle scenes; discretion advised for younger viewers

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Feature-Length Films

• "A Great Awakening" by Sight & Sound Theatres in Lancaster, PA - One of the best movies we've ever seen! It features the unlikely friendship of evangelist George Whitefield and Founding Father Dr. Benjamin Franklin and portrays the impact of the Great Awakening on the American Revolution through the Constitutional Convention. A Great Awakening Trailer.

• "The Patriot" by Mel Gibson. Loosely based on Patriot Brigadier General Francis Marion of SC, known as the "Swamp Fox." Hollywood-style with graphic battlefield violence; viewer discretion advised for younger audiences

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