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Best Children's American Civil War Era History Books

Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever
Adapted from Bill O’Reilly’s bestselling historical thriller, Killing Lincoln , this book will have young readers—and grown-ups too—hooked on history. It opens in the often-chaotic closing days of the Civil War, capturing the jubilation following Lee's surrender, the events of Lincoln's last days, and Booth's obsessive hatred of Lincoln and his conspiracy to assassinate him.
Reviews
"Good book to read if one is a history seeker and decent book for a story into lives of individual of the time."
"Interesting book."
"I came away disappointed in this book because I felt that, given the volume of research material available, the authors could have provided much more of a backstory to the issues that motivate men like Booth to be driven to achieve such an ignominious act."
"An excellent book, well writing, factual, including facts I had not read before."
"A very compelling documentation, told like a story, of the events leading up to the assassination of President Lincoln."
"The storytelling is gripping...a real page turner."
"O'Reilly's fall from grace, notwithstanding, he gives information about Booth's fiance, which I had not read in another book."
"I had no idea of the circumstances surrounding Lincoln's assassination or how closely it was to the end of the war."
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Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad!
Each of the books in Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales has elements of the strange but true and is presented in an engaging, funny format, highlighting the larger-than-life characters that pop up in real history. Praise for Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad "Livelier than the typical history textbook but sillier than the many outstanding works on the Civil War available for young readers, this will appeal to both history buffs and graphic-novel enthusiasts." Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Reviews
"My son loves these books."
"My 9-year-old son says this is one of his favorite books because Nathan Hale makes history funny and interesting."
"Very popular with my 8 year old boy."
"Was a Christmas present that was assembled by a grandson."
"Our family loves these books, especially my 11 year old."
"Great for 2nd-3rd graders."
"A definite recommended story for young readers with a slightly more mature personality to handle some of the concepts."
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I am Abraham Lincoln (Ordinary People Change the World)
That’s the inspiring message of this lively, collectible picture book biography series from New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer. K-Gr 2—Imagine, if you will, two famous Americans whose childhood selves were strong and portentous of their future adult lives but whose bodies stayed small and childlike as they achieved their incredible feats. Adults who read these books with children will have plenty to discuss regarding the hard work, persistence, and determination each person showed, as long as it's clear that the books themselves are fictionalized.—Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID.
Reviews
"There are no other books that I've found that give our children those necessary "heroes" to inspire them, and to teach them, as Brad Meltzer says, "Ordinary People Change the World"."
"The history follows the lines of traditional text book storylines, but if you read something you don't agree with, it's easy enough to explain how you see it to your child."
"I buy books for my nephew, who turned 1 on Christmas Day. This is a beautiful book and a wonderful series overall."
"Good for kids and adults."
"My 5 year old loves this book and frequently picks it at bedtime."
"Love this series of kids books."
"Brad Meltzer is a great writer and I love his reason for starting this series of books!"
"And my husband & I love that he is learning about both history and important life lessons in the process."
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Best Children's American Local History

The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Adaptation): The True Story of an American Team's Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics
The #1 New York Times bestseller freshly adapted for the next generation, now with brand new content including an author Q&A and never-before-seen photographs Inspiration for the PBS American Experience Documentary 'The Boys of '36'. For readers of Unbroken , out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant. Accolades for The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers Adaptation): "Offering a model of masterful nonfiction writing, Brown expertly balances the leisurely pacing of the protagonists' back stories with the exciting race scenes, related with concrete nouns, lively verbs, and short sentences, selected and adapted for this edition by Mone. "Those seeking an inspiring true story or a great sports tale will be pleased with this stirring work." "With a lyrical flair, Brown tells the story of these men in a manner that intersperses the drama of the time period with the emotional and physical turmoil of their lives. Young adult readers may not understand or even know about the desperation of the Depression, or what it was like at the genesis of Nazi Germany, but the tale of these persistent men, each with their own personal struggle, will entice readers of all ages." Accolades for the adult edition of The Boys in the Boat : - #1 New York Times bestseller. - 2014 ABA Adult Nonfiction Book of the Year. - 2014 Washington State Book Award.
Reviews
"It relays the hopes and dreams of those who came from a somewhat common upbringing to the World Stage of sports."
"The way the book jumps from Joe's childhood to adulthood every-other chapter might be confusing at first if kids aren't familiar with that literary device."
"Growing up in Seattle, with a historian for a mother, I cannot imagine a richer, more immersive journey through my home town and surrounding areas during the depression and early years."
"This was required reading for my grandson as he enters high school."
"This was an excellent story that gives real insight into the period of the Great Depression."
"Another gift for a young man 13 years old."
"Very inspirational book, it was a one day read and it truly made me think of all the young man and what some endured and still came out on top."
"Every kid over the age of 10 should read this to be reminded of how lucky they are and to take lessons from this amazing story."
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Best Children's American History of 1800s

Locomotive (Caldecott Medal Book)
The Caldecott Medal Winner, Sibert Honor Book, and New York Times bestseller Locomotive is a rich and detailed sensory exploration of America’s early railroads, from the creator of the “ stunning ” ( Booklist ) Moonshot. The substantial text is delivered in nonrhyming stanzas as enlightening as they are poetic: the “smoke and cinders, / ash and sweat” of the coal engine and the Great Plains stretching out “empty as an ocean.” Blasting through these artful compositions are the bellows of the conductor (“FULL STEAM AHEAD”) and the scream of the train whistle, so loud that it bleeds off the page: “WHOOOOOOO!” Font styles swap restlessly to best embody each noise (see the blunt, bold “SPIT” versus the ornate, ballooning “HUFF HUFF HUFF”).
Reviews
"I loved the cadence of this book... it was just the right rhythm to correspond to the rolling rumbling train. The imagery was so wonderful and you really felt like you were there on the long trip. The fact that this book held the attention of my kids despite its length says it all. I do plan to purchase this book... but I wanted to throw my review in the pot immediately!"
"I bought this book for my two year old."
"Yes, some information is beyond his age but he retains and learns it anyway."
"This books exudes quality. To describe the book itself."
"I bought this book for my 3 year old not really knowing the story but knowing that it's an award winning book with great reviews."
"My six-year-old and I had also just read the true and rather brutal story of a pioneer girl who took a wagon train across the country, which made the contrast in travel particularly vivid."
"When he plays with his train set now, he incorporates vocabulary as well as actions that the book uses. Our babysitter thought he was saying words from a song since the passages are so rhythmic."
"It will elicit questions from children about families of the past too."
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Best Children's American History of 2000s

Five Epic Disasters (I Survived True Stories #1)
Read their incredible stories: The Children’s Blizzard, 1888. The Titanic Disaster, 1912. The Great Boston Molasses Flood, 1919. The Japanese Tsunami, 2011. The Henryville Tornado, 2012. Gr 2–5—Tarshis retells the stories of five natural disasters, including the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, the Children's Blizzard of 1888, and the Henryville Tornado in 2012, from the third-person perspective of a young person who survived each of the events.
Reviews
"Enjoyed this book and I think my 9 yr old great-nephew will enjoy also."
"We like how they are all in one book instead of having separate books for each story."
"Historical fiction that captures the attention of the elementary reader."
"I know some of the material matter may be dark, or hard, for some kids, but he likes history and learning about others."
"awesome book for my students!"
"My son Carter is 8 years old and we LOVE to read the I survived series together."
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Best Children's American History of 1900s

Rad American Women A-Z: Rebels, Trailblazers, and Visionaries who Shaped Our History . . . and Our Future! (City Lights/Sister Spit)
"The very first kids' book released by the iconic publishing house City Lights, Rad American Women A-Z navigates the alphabet from Angela Davis to Zora Neale Hurston with colorful illustrations and short, powerful narratives. Like all A-Z books, this one illustrates the alphabet—but instead of "A is for Apple", A is for Angela—as in Angela Davis, the iconic political activist. B is for Billie Jean King, who shattered the glass ceiling of sports; C is for Carol Burnett, who defied assumptions about women in comedy; D is for Dolores Huerta, who organized farmworkers; and E is for Ella Baker, who mentored Dr. Martin Luther King and helped shape the Civil Rights Movement. And the list of great women continues, spanning several centuries, multiple professions, and 26 diverse individuals. There are artists and abolitionists, scientists and suffragettes, rock stars and rabble-rousers, and agents of change of all kinds. By offering a fresh and diverse array of female role models, we can remind readers that there are many places to find inspiration, and that being smart and strong and brave is rad. Pre-school and young children will be captured by the bright visuals and easily modified texts, while the subject matter will stimulate and inspire high-schoolers and beyond. Women need to take radical steps to become feminists, and to be strong to fight for their rights and those of others facing oppression and discrimination. One woman represents each alphabetical letter beginning with Angela Davis, an activist, teacher, and writer, and concludes with Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist and writer.
Reviews
"We read a page of this each night before bed."
"I bought this as a christmas gift for my daughter and have loved reading it with her."
"I bought this book for a friend of mine who was expecting a little girl."
"Super fun, colorful, engaging and interesting book for kids who want to learn more about amazing women in history."
"Fabulous book, a great gift idea for women of all ages."
"Wonderful book with great message for girls."
"Fun, interesting book!"
"great gift for a young girl, too bad we didnt learn a more balanced history growing up...this can hellp."
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Best Children's American Revolution History

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy
New York Times Bestseller Nathan Hale, the author’s historical namesake, was America’s first spy, a Revolutionary War hero who famously said “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country” before being hanged by the British. Comic panels of varying sizes enhance the real-life events and support the stories’ over-the-top humor... the writing is accessible and entertaining; author Hale’s style gives readers an insider-y, you-are-there-type scoop." Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Reviews
"Great choice for 9-14 year old reluctant reader boys and/or fans of graphic novels."
"I love this book."
"You have but one life to give, but I'll bet you have a few dollars you could spare, and Mr. Hale deserves enough money to be able to care for his family AND write books full-time."
"my child loves the history an d I hear him laugh when he reads it it teaches him and it makes him happy when he is doing so."
"Good book, my son loved it."
"A graphic novel to study battles in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War is such a fantastic idea."
"I ordered this to read with a student."
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