COLONIAL PERIOD -- TO 1774
Ackerman, Ned.
Spirit Horse. 1998.
When a Siksika boy living on the Plains during the 1770s becomes separated from a raiding party, he discovers the legendary spirit horse which he attempts to track down and tame.
Blackwood, Gary L.
The Shakespeare Stealer. 1998.
A young orphan boy is ordered by his master to infiltrate Shakespeare's acting troupe in order to steal the script of "Hamlet," but he discovers instead the meaning of friendship and loyalty.
Buckey, Sarah Masters.
Enemy in the Fort. 2001.
In 1754, with her own parents taken captive, twelve-year-old Rebecca must confront her fear and hatred of the Abenaki when a boy raised by members of that tribe is brought to the fort at Charleston, New Hampshire, just before a series of thefts occurs. History Mysteries series.
Carbone, Elisa Lynn.
Blood on the River: James Town 1607. 2006.
Traveling to the New World in 1606 as the page to Captain John Smith, twelve-year-old orphan Samuel Collier settles in the new colony of James Town, where he must quickly learn to distinguish between friend and foe.
Curry, Jane Louise.
A Stolen Life. 1999.
In 1758 in Scotland, teenaged Jamesina MacKensie finds her courage and resolution severely tested when she is abducted by "spiriters" and, after a harrowing voyage, sold as a bond slave to a Virginia planter.
Durrant, Lynda.
Echohawk. 1996.
A twelve-year-old white boy adopted and raised by Mohicans in the Hudson River Valley during the 1730s is sent with his younger brother to an English settlement for schooling.
The Sun, the Rain, and the Appleseed: a Story of Johnny Apleseed's Life. 2003.
In the 1790s, an eccentric young man nicknamed Johnny Appleseed feels called by God to travel through the American West planting apple seeds that will feed the hungry and produce more seeds for planting and trading.
Ernst, Kathleen.
Trouble at Fort La Pointe. 2000.
In the early 1700s, twelve-year-old Suzette, an Ojibwa-French girl, hopes that her father will win the fur-trapping contest so that he can quit being a voyageur and stay home with his family year-round, but when he is accused of stealing, Suzette must use her knowledge of both French and Ojibwa ways to find the real thief. History Mysteries series.
Hermes, Patricia.
Our Strange New Land: Elizabeth's Diary, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609. 2000.
Nine-year-old Elizabeth keeps a journal of her experiences in the New World as she encounters Indians, suffers hunger and the death of friends, and helps her father build their first home. Dear America series.
Season of Promise: Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary, Book Three. 2003.
In 1610, ten-year-old Elizabeth continues a journal of her experiences living in Jamestown, as her brother Caleb rejoins the family, a new, strict governor comes to the colony, and her father considers remarriage. Dear America series.
The Starving Time: Elizabeth's Diary, Book Two. 2001.
Nine-year-old Elizabeth keeps a journal of her experiences in the New World as she encounters Indians, suffers hunger and the death of friends, and helps her father build their first home. Dear America series.
Jones, Elizabeth McDavid.
Mystery on Skull Island. 2001.
In 1724, twelve-year-old Rachel and her friend Sally discover a pirates' hiding place on a deserted island near Charles Town, South Carolina, and they suspect it may be connected to the woman who will soon become Rachel's stepmother. History Mysteries series.
Kirkpatrick, Katherine.
Trouble's Daughter: The Story of Susanna Hutchinson, Indian Captive. 1998.
When her family is massacred by Lenape Indians in 1643, nine-year-old Susanna, daughter of Anne Hutchinson, is captured and raised as a Lenape.
Krensky, Stephen.
The Printer's Apprentice. 1995.
In 1735 in New York City, a young printer's apprentice learns about the importance of freedom of speech when the printer Peter Zenger is arrested and tried for writing articles criticizing the government.
A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple. 1996.
Twelve-year-old Mem presents a diary account of the trip she and her family made on the Mayflower in 1620 and their first year in the New World. Dear America series.
McDonald, Megan.
Shadows in the Glasshouse. 2000.
While working as an indentured servant for a Jamestown glassmaker in 1621, twelve-year-old Merry uncovers a case of sabotage. History Mysteries series.
Nixon, Joan Lowery.
Ann's Story: 1747. 2000.
Ann, a young girl in eighteenth-century Williamsburg, want to become a doctor like her father, but she is not allowed even to study Latin or mathematics. Young Americans series.
Caesar's Story: 1759. 2000.
After having been a slave on Carter's Grove plantation near Williamsburg, Virginia, since childhood, Caesar finally finds a way to plan his own future. Young Americans series.
Maria's Story: 1773. 2001.
In Williamsburg, Virginia, two years before the start of the American Revolution, nine-year-old Maria worries that her mother will lose her contract to publish official reports and announcements of the British government because she prints anti-British articles in their family-run newspaper. Young Americans series.
Nancy's Story: 1765. 2000.
In 1765, twelve-year-old Nancy worries about the effect of the British Stamp Act on her father's silversmith business in Williamsburg and about how to get along with her new stepmother. Young Americans series.
Osborne, Mary Pope.
Standing in the Light: the Captive Diary of Catherine Carey Logan. 1998.
A Quaker girl's diary reflects her experiences growing up in the Delaware River Valley of Pennsylvania and her capture by Lenape Indians in 1763. Dear America series.
Rinaldi, Ann.
A Break with Charity: A Story about the Salem Witch Trials. 1992.
While waiting for a church meeting in 1706, Susanna English, daughter of a wealthy Salem merchant, recalls the malice, fear, and accusations of witchcraft that tore her village apart in 1692.
The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce: A Pilgrim Boy. 2000.
A fourteen-year-old indentured servant keeps a journal of his experiences on the Mayflower and during the building of Plymouth in 1620 and 1621. Dear America series.
Rosenburg John.
Young George Washington: The Making of a Hero. 1997.
A fictionalized biography, with emphasis on the early life, of the Virginia farmer's son who would eventually become a Revolutionary War leader and first President of the United States.
Stephens, Amanda.
Justice for All: December 5, 1773 - September 5, 1774. 2003.
Boston in 1773 is an inhospitable place for the two teenagers whose lives are about to intersect there. Liberty's Kids Series.
Strohmeier, Lenice.
Mingo. 2003.
In Massachusetts in 1771, seven-year-old Olivia learns about freedom from her father's slave, Mingo, who was promised that he'd be freed when the tide was low enough that he could walk to a certain spot offshore.
Turner, Ann Warner.
Love Thy Neighbor: The Tory Diary of Prudence Emerson. 2003.
In Greenmarsh, Massachusetts, in 1774, thirteen-year-old Prudence keeps a diary of the troubles she and her family face as Tories surrounded by American patriots at the start of the American Revolution.
THE REVOLUTION -- 1775-1783
Anderson, Marcella F.
Young Patriots: Inspiring Stories of the American Revolution. 2004.
During the American Revolution, young people were caught up in the dangers, hardships, and conflicts that surrounded them. Like their elders, they struggled to find their places in a changing world.
Bruchac, Joseph.
The Arrow Over the Door. 1998.
In the year 1777, a group of Quakers and a party of Indians have a memorable meeting.
The Winter People. 2002.
As the French and Indian War rages in October of 1759, Saxso, a fourteen-year-old Abenaki boy, pursues the English rangers who have attacked his village and taken his mother and sisters hostage.
Butler, Amy.
Virginia Bound. 2003.
Thirteen-year-old orphaned beggar Rob Brackett is kidnapped from the streets of London and taken to the New World for a cruel tobacco farmer master, who also owns a Pamunkey Indian girl named Mattoume.
Cuyler, Margery.
The Battlefield Ghost. 1999.
When fourth grader John and his sister Lisa move into an old house in Princeton, New Jersey, they find it haunted by the ghost of a Hessian soldier from the Revolutionary War and try to reunite him with the ghost of his beloved horse.
Denenberg, Barry.
The Journal of William Thomas Emerson: a Revolutionary War Patriot. 1998.
William, a twelve-year-old orphan, writes of his experiences in pre-Revolutionary War Boston where he joins the cause of the patriots who are opposed to the British rule. Dear America series.
Durrant, Lynda.
Besty Zane, the Rose of Fort Henry. 2000.
In 1781 twelve-year-old Elizabeth Zane, great-great-aunt of novelist Zane Grey, leaves Philadelphia to return to her brother's homestead near Fort Henry in what is now West Virginia, where she plays an important role in the final battle of the American Revolution.
Gauch, Patricia Lee.
This Time, Tempe Wick? 2003.
Everyone knows Tempe Wick is a most surprising girl, but she exceeds even her own reputation when two mutinous Revolutionary soldiers try to steal her beloved horse. Easy Fiction.
Goodman, Joan.
Hope's Crossing. 1998.
When kidnapped by English Loyalists during the Revolutionary War, thirteen-year-old Hope draws on every ounce of courage within her to respond to the ordeal.
Gregory, Kristiana.
We Are Patriots. 2002.
In her diary, ten-year-old Hope writes about her life as a patriot in 1777 Philadelphia, as the Redcoats try to take over her city and defeat the Continental Army. Includes historical notes. My America series.
The Winter of Red Snow: the Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart. 1996.
Eleven-year-old Abigail presents a diary account of life in Valley Forge from December 1777 to July 1778 as General Washington prepares his troops to fight the British. Dear America series.
Krensky, Stephen.
Dangerous Crossing. 2005.
In 1778, ten-year-old Johnny Adams and his father make a dangerous mid-winter voyage from Massachusetts to Paris in hopes of gaining support for the colonies during the American Revolution. (PICTURE BOOK).
McDonald, Megan.
Saving the Liberty Bell. 2005.
John Jacob Mickley, 11, tells his siblings about his role in hiding the Liberty Bell from the British. He describes how he and his father travel to Philadelphia to sell their farm goods. The Great Bell is ringing out its warning from the State House that the Redcoats are on their way, and everyone knows they will be looking for metal to turn into weapons. (PICTURE BOOK).
Pryor, Bonnie.
Thomas. 1998.
In the early years of the Revolutionary War, eleven-year-old Thomas and his family escape a bloody massacre at Wyoming Valley and endure innumerable hardships as they try to make their way to Philadelphia.
Thomas in Danger. 1999.
Having lost their home when the Revolutionary War reached their part of rural Pennsylvania, Thomas and his family start a new life running an inn in Philadelphia, where Thomas finds new danger that takes him into captivity among the Iroquois.
Rinaldi, Ann.
Cast Two Shadows. 1998.
In South Carolina in 1780, fourteen-year-old Caroline sees the Revolutionary War take a terrible toll among her family and friends and comes to understand the true nature of war.
Schurfranz, Vivian.
A Message for General Washington. 1998.
Twelve-year-old Hannah accepts the challenge of sneaking behind enemy lines to deliver a message to General Washington which will result in the British surrender at Yorktown.
Turner, Ann Warren.
When Mr. Jefferson Came to Philadelphia:What I learned of Freedom, 1776. 2003.
In Philadelphia in 1776, Ned meets Thomas Jefferson, who is staying in his mother's inn while debating the topic of freedom in Congress and writing the Declaration of Independence.
Waters, John R.
Night Raiders along the Cape. 1997.
When British raids off the coast of New England become more frequent, young Asa must row through the night to warn his friends on the Massachusetts coast of an impending attack.
