Books About American History · 327 titles considered

The Best American History Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about american history? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About American History

Sale price

$1615

Picture Book · Ages 12–18 · 2005

A Wreath for Emmett Till

By Marilyn Nelson, Philippe Lardy (Illustrator)

A boy's tragic fate ignites a movement against injustice.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2005)Coretta Scott King Honor (2006)Michael L. Printz Honor (2006)

48 pages· 1,527 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,507 ratings

$17.00Save 5%

Summary: In 1955, Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American, was brutally murdered, sparking national outrage. His story, told through poignant poetry, challenges us to confront and speak out against ongoing injustices. How can one boy's tragic end inspire a fight for change?

Sale price

$574

Picture Book · Ages 5–8

George Washington and the General's Dog

By Frank Murphy, Richard Walz (Illustrator) · Step into Reading: History Reader series

A biography of George Washington's life, highlighting his love for animals and his role in the American Revolution.

48 pages· 756 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 398 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 1987

Lincoln

By Russell Freedman

Explore Lincoln's journey from humble beginnings to leading a nation through war.

Newbery Medal (1988)Golden Kite Honor (1988)

160 pages· 23,063 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 11,008 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Summary: Discover Abraham Lincoln's transformation from a country lawyer to a pivotal leader during America's Civil War. Follow his personal and political struggles, culminating in a fateful night at Ford's Theatre. What challenges did he face, and how did his decisions shape a nation divided? This biography offers a vivid glimpse into the life and legacy of a remarkable president.

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$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Harriet Tubman

By Nadia L. Hohn, Gustavo Mazali (Illustrator) · I Can Read History series

Discover Harriet Tubman's daring escapes and secret missions during the Civil War.

32 pages· 674 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 73 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman risked everything for freedom, leading daring escapes on the Underground Railroad. As the Civil War raged, she recruited soldiers, served as a spy, and even led a battle. This early reader biography unveils her incredible life, filled with courage and determination. Young readers will explore her milestones through engaging stories and historical illustrations, learning about the woman who defied the odds to change history. What secrets did she uncover, and how did she inspire others to fight for freedom? Dive into the life of this extraordinary freedom fighter.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2000

Revolutionary War on Wednesday

By Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) · Book #22 in the Magic Tree House series

Two siblings travel back in time to the Revolutionary War to help a magical librarian save Camelot

69 pages· 5,327 words· Est. 1 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 10,115 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: On a snowy night, Jack and Annie are whisked back to colonial times by the Magic Tree House. With General Washington's plans threatened by a storm, they must ensure history unfolds as it should. Can they help Washington succeed, or will the future be altered forever? The fate of a nation hangs in the balance as they navigate this thrilling adventure.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2008

Abe's Honest Words

By Doreen Rappaport, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the A Big Words Book series

A self-taught leader battles to end slavery and unite a divided nation.

48 pages· 1,307 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud

7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,078 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Young Abraham Lincoln, a self-taught reader from the Midwest, dreams of a nation free from slavery. As he grows, his compassion and honesty earn him trust, leading him to the presidency. Amidst a brutal civil war, Lincoln faces immense challenges, striving to unite a fractured country and abolish slavery. Will his vision for equality prevail? This vivid portrait captures the essence of a leader whose passion for humanity changed America forever.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 2008

Elizabeth Leads the Way

By Tanya Lee Stone, Rebecca Gibbon (Illustrator)

A woman defies societal norms to fight for voting rights, changing history forever.

32 pages· 871 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

6.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 614 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Elizabeth Cady Stanton refuses to accept women's inferior status in society. Determined to make a change, she pursues education and rallies others to demand the right to vote. As she challenges the status quo, will her relentless spirit alter the course of history? Discover the inspiring journey of a woman who wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, leading a movement that reshaped America.

Sale price

$1899

Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 1973

I Have a Dream

By Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

Discover the power of a dream that changed history.

Coretta Scott King Honor (2013)

40 pages· 585 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

6.1/7 Bookroo experts·4.5/5 Goodreads · 3,764 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Summary: Step into history with Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic speech, brought to life through vivid illustrations. This picture book captures the essence of his dream for freedom and equality, inspiring young minds to carry the torch forward. Experience the unforgettable words that echoed from the Lincoln Memorial, paired with an audio CD, and explore the enduring impact of a vision that continues to shape our world.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020

Box

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Michele Wood (Illustrator)

A man risks everything to escape slavery by mailing himself to freedom.

Newbery Honor (2021)

56 pages· 3,020 words· Est. 24 min read-aloud

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 847 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Henry Brown, born into slavery, loses his family to the cruel trade. With nothing left, he devises a daring escape plan: shipping himself in a box to freedom. As he navigates the perilous journey, aided by the Underground Railroad, will he find the liberty he seeks? This powerful narrative, told in poetic stanzas, captures the resilience and courage of a man determined to reclaim his life. Vivid illustrations and historical context enrich this tale of hope and defiance.

Sale price

$858

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2003

Abe Lincoln

By Kay Winters, Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)

A boy's love for books shapes his destiny and changes the world.

40 pages· 1,056 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 660 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: In a humble log cabin, a young boy discovers the magic of storytelling and the power of words. As he traces letters in sand and snow, his passion for reading grows. This love for books propels him on a journey from a curious child to the sixteenth president of the United States. Explore how Abraham Lincoln's early life and dedication to learning transformed him into a leader who changed the world. What role did books play in shaping his extraordinary path?

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Browse by age

American History Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about american history for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1799

An Inconvenient Alphabet

Ages 5–10 · 2018

Two patriots attempt to simplify English spelling, facing unexpected challenges.

Sale price

$1899

She Persisted

Ages 4–8 · 2017

This book tells the stories of 13 American women who persisted in the face of adversity.

Sale price

$1999

Aaron and Alexander

Ages 5–8 · 2015

Two patriots' rivalry leads to a historic duel.

Sale price

$899

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Ages 4–8 · 1995

A young girl integrates a white elementary school in New Orleans in the 1960s.

Sale price

$1899

Let the Children March

Ages 6–9 · 2018

Children march for civil rights, challenging segregation in 1963 Birmingham.

Sale price

$1999

A Ride to Remember

Ages 6–9 · 2020

A carousel ride becomes a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.

Sale price

$1899

Before She Was Harriet

Ages 4–8 · 2017

Discover the many lives of Harriet Tubman, from slave to spy to liberator.

Sale price

$2199

Her Right Foot

Ages 5–8 · 2017

Why is the Statue of Liberty stepping forward? Discover a hidden message of acceptance.

Sale price

$1799

Rosa's Bus

Ages 7–10 · 2010

A bus witnesses a pivotal stand against segregation, sparking a historic boycott.

Sale price

$599

Abraham Lincoln

Ages 5–8 · 2012

Discover the pivotal choices of a leader who changed a nation.

March On!

2008

Witness a historic speech that changed a nation.

Sale price

$899

Minty

Ages 4–8 · 1996

A young girl's rebellious spirit fuels her dreams of freedom and escape.

View all american history picture books

Browse by age

American History Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about american history for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1699

The Wright Brothers

Ages 10–13 · 1991

Two brothers defy gravity, launching the Age of Flight.

Sale price

$1299

Jailbreak at Alcatraz

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Three inmates vanish from Alcatraz, sparking an unsolved mystery.

Sale price

$1999

Shadows at Jamestown

Ages 8–12 · 2017

A fraudulent artifact threatens an archaeological dig. Can the truth be uncovered?

Sale price

$1999

Fallout

Ages 13–17 · 2021

Two superpowers race to outdo each other in a deadly Cold War showdown.

Sale price

$599

Trouble on the Orphan Train

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Time-traveling kids must clear an orphan's name and find a missing friend.

Tornado Terror

Ages 8–12

A boy in southern Illinois faces the deadliest tornado in U.S. history on the day of his town's marbles tournament.

Sale price

$1899

There Was a Party for Langston

Ages 4–8 · 2023

Celebrate a legendary wordsmith whose legacy inspired a literary revolution.

Sale price

$2100

Rush Revere and the American Revolution

Ages 8–12 · 2014

Time-traveling crew joins the American Revolution, facing danger and discovering heroism.

Sale price

$1899

An American Story

Ages 4–8 · 2023

A teacher unveils the haunting history of slavery, igniting a journey of understanding and resilience.

Sale price

$399

Heroes of 9/11

Ages 8–12 · 2010

Witness the bravery of first responders on 9/11.

Sale price

$2100

Rush Revere and the First Patriots

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A history teacher and his talking horse travel to 1765 Boston to witness the American Revolution's beginnings.

Sale price

$999

The Underground Railroad

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Uncover the untold truths of the Underground Railroad and the real struggle for freedom.

View all american history chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about civil rights movement Books about Colonial and Revolutionary periods Books about George Washington Books about Harriet Tubman Books about human-animal relationships Books about Martin Luther King, Jr.Books about prejudice and racism Books about slavery

Our 10 Favorite Books About American History

Great books, picked for their age.

American History Picture Books

American History Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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