Colonial History Reading

Over the summer we took advantage of lazy afternoons to do some reading related to the history cycle for the coming year.  All the books we read are mentioned in the Story of the World activity book supplementary reading lists, but I thought I'd mention a few that are old or new favorites of mine, in case you haven't read them yet.

The first book we read was The Witch of Blackbird Pond, by Elizabeth George Speare.  This is a longer chapter book we read aloud as a family, and Aine (8) was riveted but Caera (5) usually fell asleep as we read!  It takes place in 1687, and explores Connecticut Puritan life, and especially the tension between Puritans and both Quakers and Royalists.  Susan Wise Bauer recommends that parents preview, probably because the book is somewhat critical of Puritanism.  I love Elizabeth George Speare and this book was a favorite of mine in childhood. 

We also enjoyed The Courage of Sarah Noble, by Alice Dalgliesh.  This is an easy chapter book, which Aine read again after we finished reading it as a family, and Caera enjoyed very much.  It takes place in 1707, and gives a simple description of a young girl and her father as they settle new land in Connecticut.   Lots of inspiration for children as little Sarah tells herself repeatedly, "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble,"

Next on our reading list was a book I had never read before, Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes.  This was another longer chapter book, and like The Witch of Blackbird Pond, it really only kept the interest of Aine and her mother, who permitted some ridiculously late bedtimes in August in order to get to the end!  I thought this was a nice coming of age story and an exciting view into the events leading up to the Revolutionary War.  One warning, there are some salty characters and language, including frequent use of the word d-mn. 

I was fretting this past week over the fact that the history poems and timeline don't include any 17th century British history when I happened upon a little gem in my library holds: William Penn, Founder of Democracy by Norma Jean Lutz.  In addition to being a very readable biography, it manages to touch on all of the significant history of the times in very clear and simple terms.  I highly recommend as a way to connect the political turmoil in England with the formation and distinct character of the different American colonies.

Aine has been tearing through the American Girls series from this time period, Kaya and Felicity, on her own.  The girls also really loved Thanksgiving on Thursday from the Magic Treehouse series.  

Finally, if you haven't done so already, can I recommend that you read 1776 by David McCullough?  The fact that much of the action takes place right here in New York and New Jersey combined with McCullough's gift of character illumination make it an exciting read. Though history textbooks are often heavy with a sense of inevitability regarding past events, this book will leave you feeling amazed by just how tenuous the American position was in that difficult first year of the war, and how men like George Washington really did make history.

I would love to know if anyone has any recommendations of great picture books from this time period. There are several in my pile from the library today... I will update if I come across any treasures.