To accompany our field trip on the Boston Freedom Trail, I’ve found 10 great American Revolution chapter books for different ages and, more importantly, from different perspectives including silversmith apprentice, Tory loyalist, runaway slave, Native American and even King George.
History is written by the victor. Can you imagine what life must have been like during this tumultous period of the birth of the United States? If you read all ten books, you might feel like you were there! These books support the 5th grade Common Core Curriculum unit for the American Revolution.
What are your favorite American Revolution books for kids? Please share! Let’s build this list together!
American Revolution Chapter Books From Different Perspectives
10. Johnny Tremain by Ester Forbes
I don’t know if kids read this chapter book anymore but it was one of my favorite books as a child. Johnny Tremain is fourteen and apprenticed to a silversmith and I always pictured that this is what it must have been like to work for Paul Revere. Johnny has a terrible accident and his hand is horribly burned by molten silver destroying his dreams of becoming a master silversmith.
A depressed Johnny finds work as a dispatch rider for the Committee of Public Safety, a job that brings him in touch with Boston patriots—and the excitement that will lead to the Tea Party and the Battle of Lexington. [chapter book, ages 9 and up]
9. My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier
A family divided by war. Tim Meeker has always looked up to his brother Sam, who has now joined the American Revolution. His parents support King George. Tim will have to make a choice — between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father. [young adult, ages 12 and up]
8. Moon of Two Dark Horses by Sally M. Keehn
The Revolutionary War from the Native Indian perspective:
Coshmoo and Daniel have been best friends as long as the Delaware Indians and white settlers have lived peacefully along the Susquehanna River. But now the river is red with blood as people from both sides are killed in the Revolutionary War. The British king wants Coshmoo’s people to fight on his side, and holds out the promise that their land, which has been taken by the settlers, will be returned to them. As the tension grows, Coshmoo and Daniel vow-as they have so many times-to remain loyal friends, no matter what happens. Then, one day, their friendship comes up against the ultimate test. [chapter book, ages 10 and up]
7. The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1777 (Dear America) by Kristiana Gregory
Eleven-year-old Abigail Jane Stewart’s fictionalized diary about her life, family, friends, and neighbors, and the sides they have to choose in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the height of the Revolutionary War, renders a vivid portrayal of one of the most memorable and crucial winters in American history. [chapter book, ages 9 and up]
6. Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George? by Jean Fritz
This entertaining volume sheds light on the life of England’s King George III. It begins when he was a bashful boy who blushed easily, goes on to his early days as king, and finally examines his role in the American Revolution – when Americans ceased to think of him as good King George. [easy chapter book, ages 7-9]
5. Felicity’s Boxed Set (American Girl Collection) by Valerie Tripp
The American Girl Doll books are wonderful for girls ages 7 and up. Felicity is a fictionalized American girl in colonial Williamsburg from 1774 to 1776. [chapter books, ages 7 through 9]
4. My Name Is America: The Journal Of William Thomas Emerson, A Revolutionary War Patriot by Barry Denenberg
In 1774, 12-year-old orphan Will is befriended by Mr. Wilson, who secretly works with a group of rebels against the British. Written as a series of journal entries, this book paints a vivid picture of the period from the point of view of a boy on the fringe of an important movement. Unlike some books of historical fiction, here the focus isn’t on landmark events or fictional meetings with famous people but rather on everyday life in a troubling time. Will makes an appealing narrator, brave and independent enough to take a small part in dangerous intrigues, but young and frank enough to relate his reactions to events with freshness and disarming candor. An appended note, “Life in America in 1774,” fills in the historical events and background of the time and provides reproductions of engravings, maps, and documents. A solid addition to the My Name Is America series. Carolyn Phelan from Booklist [chapter book, ages 9 and up]
3. Magic Tree House #22: Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne
General George Washington is about to lead his army in a sneak attack against their enemy. But now a terrible weather is making the great general question his plans. Can Jack and Annie keep history on track? The fate of the country rests in their hands! [easy chapter book, ages 6-9]
2. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
PickyKidPix read both Forge and Chains and highly recommends them. She told me that they are about slaves during Colonial America. Forge is about runaway slaves during the American Revolution. [chapter books, ages 10 and up]
Chains is the first book, told from the perspective of Isabel. Forge is the second book, told from the perspective of the character, Curzon.
1. Forge (Chains of America) by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Chains story continues with a perspective shift from Isabel to Curzon, both runaway slaves, and the path they must forge to win their freedom in the midst of the American Revolution. [chapter book, ages 10 and up]
American Revolution Books for Kids Honorable Mention
The Boston Tea Party by Russell Freedman
This book tells the story of the Boston Tea Party of 1773, from the arrival of the ships full of controversial taxed tea in Boston Harbor, through the explosive protest meetings at the Old South Church, to the defiant act of dumping 226 chests of fine tea into the harbor on December 16.
Friends of Liberty by Bernice Gormley
Friends of Liberty takes the reader right to the Boston Tea Party, but does not include it. The focus is really on the friendship between the two girls and how easily one can lose sight of what and who is important when blinded by the materialist luxurious life of others. Review from The Children’s War.
Eric from Happy Birthday Author has a great post on a picture book centered around the Great Molasses Flood.
p.s. Delightful Children’s Books has a series of great posts on Anerican Revolution books for kids.
To examine any book more closely at Amazon, please click on image of book. I am an Amazon affiliate which means if you buy anything through my blog, I get a very small kickback at no cost to you. I use this money to pay for postage and handling for my giveaways.
Related posts:
Great New Chapter Books for Kids GIVEAWAY
Notable Native American Children’s Author: Joseph Bruchac
Top 10: Native American Children’s Books (ages 2-16)
Top 10: Best Native American Young Adult Books
American Revolution Books for Kids & Boston Freedom Trail Guide
Top 10 Best Chapter Books Set in Florida’s Past
Top 10: Korean American Children’s Books (ages 2-16)
Top 10: Best Native American Middle School Books
I love good historical fiction. Thanks for this post!
maryanne recently posted…Exploring Geography to World Culture for Kids Button + Google Reader
Hi Maryanne,
I hope the list comes in handy when your kids get older. A way to remember living in Massaschusetts for them, maybe! And fun to learn that they lived in the cradle of the American Revolution.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Teaching Kids About Stocks and Investing
I have loved Johnny Tremain ever since I was a little girl. Such a great book.
Amy recently posted…Reading Goals, Six Months In
Hi Amy,
I’ve always loved Johnny Tremain too from when I was in elementary school but I sadly don’t notice kids reading it these days! I hope they will as a way to make the American Revolution come alive. Thanks so much for your comment! I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves that book!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Teaching Kids About Stocks and Investing
So many to choose from here. This is one of my favorite periods in American history.
bamauthor recently posted…NEW BOOK IN LITTLE MISS HISTORY SERIES COMING SOON!
Hi Barbara,
I am thinking that I should give it more attention since I live near Boston! LOL!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Teaching Kids About Stocks and Investing
Forge and Chains look great.
Love that you included different perspectives.
My daughter enjoyed the Felicity books!
Thanks Ann,
My girls are such big fans of Laurie Halse Anderson. We are going to read a few more of her books this summer.
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Kids Create Stories from Pictures with Storybird
Johnny Tremain is the only one on this list that I’ve read. Sounds like the others would be great reads for young and old. Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Cheryl, Hop Hostess
Cheryl Carpinello recently posted…Kid Lit Blog Hop #19
Hi Cheryl,
I loved Johnny Tremain too! Thanks for hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Great Science Books for Kids
This is one fantastic list! Thank you so much for adding it to the KLBH 🙂
Jaymie Shook recently posted…Kid Lit Blog Hop #20
Thanks so much Jaymie! I feel I have to do The Freedom Trail, American Revolution justice living near Boston and all!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Tinkertoy GIVEAWAY to Celebrate 100 Years
THANK YOU!! We are doing American Revolution this year….this list is great!
Katey recently posted…5 Things I Learned While Camping with My Family
Hi Katey,
Yay! Can I give you our Freedom Trail link as well? My 5th grader’s field trip (we live near Boston) walked it with a guide. It ties in nicely! https://www.pragmaticmom.com/2013/06/boston-freedom-trail/
If you are not near Boston, I hope you get the sense of being here on the Freedom Trail with us!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Writing Revision Tips for Kids: Why Writing is All About Revising
Barrie Clark
The info regarding the Laurie Halse Anderson books is not correct; Chains is the first book, told from the perspective of Isabel. Forge is the second book, told from the perspective of the character, Curzon.
Thanks for the correction Barrie! I’ll fix it!
Pragmatic Mom recently posted…Plimoth Plantation: Learning About the Pilgrims