Early American history with historical fiction

I was cleaning my desk and found a list I had scribbled out when someone asked me about living books for early American history. And, because I must have been in a fastidious mood that night, I even arranged the books in chronological order. It's too good of a list to just throw away, and I will lose it in a heartbeat if I try to save it, so I am posting it here for all posterity. Know too, that for purposes of this list I defined "early American history" roughly as the time from Columbus to about the year 1800. 

Pedro's Journal by Pam Conrad  (1492-93) the fictional diary of a ship's boy on Columbus' vessel  Santa Maria.

Walk the World's Rim by Betty Baker (1527+) A 14-year old Indian joins Cabeza de Vaca's expedition through the Southwest.

Conquista! (1541) - an early chapter book about a young native American who encounters his first horse.

The King's Fifth by Scott O'Dell  (1541) - recounts the adventures and trial of Spanish mapmaker Julian Escobar in the New World.

The Lost Colony of Roanoke (1587) - a non-fiction title from Jean Fritz, recounting the mystery surrounding one of the earliest attempted colonies in the New World. 

Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty (1620) - One of the highly esteemed Landmark Books, tells of the coming of English Puritans to Plymouth.

The Scarlet Letter (1642) - an excellent  literature selection for older students, this powerful psychological novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in the early Massachusetts Colony.


The Explorations of Pere Marquette (1670) - another non-fiction Landmark title, this book recounts the travels of French Jesuit Marquette (and his friend Joliet) as they explore the Mississippi river and environs. 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1687) - 16 year old Kit finds it difficult to adjust to life with her uncle's family in Puritan Connecticut, after growing up in sunny Barbados. The colonists, in turn, have a hard time understanding her different ways, especially after she befriends a Quaker woman that is already regarded as a witch.

Madeline Takes Command (1692) - with her parents away, 14-year old Madeline is left to defend a fort on the St Lawrence River against an Indian attack.


Om-kas-toe (early 1700s) -fictional tale of the Blackfeet tribes first encounters with the horse.

Amos Fortune, Freeman - Spanning the whole of Amos' life, from 1710 to 1801, in which he is kidnapped in Africa and sold into slavery in Massachusettes, where he dreams of and plans for freedom for 45 years.

Indian Captive (1743) -well done fictionalization of the story of Mary Jemmison, who is captured in a raid as a young girl, and lives out the rest of her life with the Seneca Tribe.

Calico Captive (1754) - more engaging historical fiction, recounting the trials of Miriam Willard, who is taken from her home in New Hampshire during a raid, and sent to Quebec during the French and Indian Wars. 

The Last of the Mohicans (1754-1763) - paints an excellent picture of frontier life and struggles that made up the French and Indian War, this a must read for high school students. And though I don't often recommend adaptations, THIS ONE is particularly good. 

Sign of the Beaver (1768) - 13 year old Matt faces teh task of guarding his family's new cabin in the wilderness bravely - until a wandering stranger steals his gun and leaves him feeling vulnerable. But a friendship with Attean, a boy of the Beaver clan, teaches him more than just practical survival skills.

A Light in the Forest (1769) - not just another story about a white boy living with Indians, this well crafted story explores the ways in we create any identity for ourselves.


Johnny Tremain (1773) -Bitterly disappointed over an tragic accident that ended his days as an apprentice silversmith, Johnny finds that his new job as a dispatch rider brings him in contact with Boston patriots and the excitement that leads up to the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Lexington.


Early Thunder (1774-75) - a 14 year old boy who has been raised as a royalist begins to questions his loyalties as the event of history unfold in Salem, Massachusettes.

The Cabin Faced West (1784) - a simple story of life on the Pennsylvanian frontier, with a fun cameo by George Washington himself.

The Reb and the Redcoats (1779-80) - An interesting look at the American Revolution, as told from the point of view of a British family who takes in an American prisoner of war.