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Best Children's 1800s US Historical Fiction

Little House in the Big Woods
Pioneer life is sometimes hard for the family, but it is also exciting as they celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. Any boy or girl who has fantasized about running off to live in the woods will find ample information in these pages to manage a Wisconsin snowstorm, a panther attack, or a wild sled ride with a pig as an uninvited guest. Every chapter divulges fascinatingly intricate, yet easy-to-read, details about pioneer life in the Midwest in the late 1800s, from bear-meat curing to maple-tree sapping to homemade bullet making.
Reviews
"I wouldn't recommend these volumes to those who remember the classic hardcovers with all the quaint drawings from Garth William which are NOT included here."
"All covers on very good shape, however instead of the colorful newer covers I got the old yellows from my mother's childhood."
"Great value for the complete Little house collection!"
"my daughter has now asked to have this book re-read to her."
"This was bought as a Christmas gift for my nieces."
"This book set was a gift for my Granddaughter, it arrived in excellent condition and was exactly what we were looking for."
"Every child should read or be read these beautifully written books. Oh, Pa!)."
"We are enjoying the books."
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Serafina and the Black Cloak
This is the story a brave and unusual girl who lives secretly in the basement of the grand Biltmore Estate amidst the splendor of the Gilded Age and the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She has learned to prowl through the darkened corridors at night, to sneak and hide, using the mansion's hidden doors and secret passageways. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore's owners. She has developed catlike skills in exploring the vast Biltmore estate and enjoys sneaking through heating vents and other small spaces in order to eavesdrop on staff and inhabitants. Her quiet existence is shattered when she witnesses a strange man dragging a tearful young girl down into the bowels of the vast home. The story drips with suspense, wrapping readers into the narrative just as easily as the man in the black cloak binds his young victims. VERDICT A creepy, suspenseful read that's not quite as dark as the works of Neil Gaiman or Adam Gidwitz.—Julie Shatterly, W. A. Bess Elementary School, Gastonia, NC KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Beatty spins an enchanting mystery through lonely Serafina's golden eyes. ""Each new clue adds another brush stroke to this keenly perceptive portrait of a young girl searching for answers about herself and the world around her. SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (SLJ 06/01/2015): "A mystery set at a sumptuous estate, featuring a courageous female protagonist entangled in a hair-raising adventure. ""The story drips with suspense, wrapping readers into the narrative just as easily as the man in the black cloak binds his young victims.
Reviews
"I have a friend who argues, “but I would just rather read the history book.” I say with historical fiction that you and your kids are officially in the know about a new topic, enriched and smarter for it. Serafina’s character was so darn likeable and tenacious that it added a dimension of warmth and light that diffused the scary part sufficiently. I also found that even though Serafina has a sprinkling of Gaiman/Snicket/Dahl, Beatty has created something incredibly unique in the Internet Age: a tale that feels different and all its own. Serafina doesn’t just live in the basement with her Pa. She’s a fearless explorer that goes upstairs and beyond for a spectator view of the lavish Vanderbilt/Downton Abbey life. I loved the contrast in setting between the drama unfolding in the mechanical boiler-room basement and the posh tapestry-walled grand upstairs. Since Disney published this book, and it is inherently movie worthy with its setting and characters – I predict filming to follow soon."
"Serafina is a young girl living in the basement with her Pa who works on the dynamo for the Biltmores. He works and keeps Sera hidden because he fears that people will ask about her, experiment on her and just worried he will lose her. Sera makes a friend with Braden Biltmore and they try to figure out why children are dissapearing ever night."
"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story of Seraphina."
"It is on one of these nightly walks that she sees another young girl being dragged into the basement area by a mysterious man in a long black cloak. Teaming up with new friend Braeden, George Vanderbilt's (then owner of Biltmore Estate) nephew, she tries to bait the cloaked man into revealing himself. There's the mysterious cloaked figure (and can I just say I could not get "Man In The Long Black Coat" -- the Joan Osborne version -- out of my head the whole time I was reading this! The beginning of the story reminded me a bit of the opening scenes of the movie Hocus Pocus, but later it turned more Legend of Sleepy Hollow-ish. In fact, from a book design perspective, I was thinking it would have been so perfect to incorporate some of the artwork from that room onto the endpages but nope, sadly the reader just gets a solid hunter green inside. {Reading up on the history of the house, I learned that the artwork in that room only dates back to the 1920s, so historically it would have been inaccurate with the timeline of the book, but I STILL say it would have made for cool endpapers!}. There's a sense of grandeur -- which induces daydreams of imagining the sounds of carriage wheels, faint tinklings of a piano, southern winds through the breezeways -- that you instantly get walking on those grounds that I just didn't get with this story. She also just has a great way of interpreting life in general: "She thought it was interesting how just about everyone had a special talent or skill, something they were naturally drawn to and good at, and then they worked years to master it. Through their talks they discover that before meeting each other, they both desperately craved companionship, having that one friend in the world who just gets you without even trying, that one kindred spirit who doesn't think you're too strange or creepy at all, it's just obvious to them that no one took the time to properly get to know you before."
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Little House on the Prairie
The third book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's treasured Little House series—now available as an ebook! Sometimes pioneer life is hard, but Laura and her folks are always busy and happy in their new little house.
Reviews
"The book is a good size and though the drawings are in black and white they are age appropriate since they seem less like a child''s book, they are also beautifully done."
"Sent to a daughter who is LHotP addict."
"These are great books."
"Another great book in a wonderful series!"
"It took me not only back to a time early in our country‘s history but to my own childhood."
"There are some excellent stories that little boys will love (animals, food, suspense)."
"The Little House books have entertained our children as they where growing up an my has read an re-read these over the years an now they are finally on the the kindle for us all."
"I have always loved the Little House stories and it has been fun to share this one with my grand-daughter."
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Best Children's Where We Live Books

Little House in the Big Woods
Pioneer life is sometimes hard for the family, but it is also exciting as they celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. Any boy or girl who has fantasized about running off to live in the woods will find ample information in these pages to manage a Wisconsin snowstorm, a panther attack, or a wild sled ride with a pig as an uninvited guest. Every chapter divulges fascinatingly intricate, yet easy-to-read, details about pioneer life in the Midwest in the late 1800s, from bear-meat curing to maple-tree sapping to homemade bullet making.
Reviews
"I wouldn't recommend these volumes to those who remember the classic hardcovers with all the quaint drawings from Garth William which are NOT included here."
"I bought this copy for my ESL student so that we could read it together."
"I loved the Little House books as a kid and I bought these to read to my kids."
"I volunteer for my local nursing home by reading aloud to the 2 wings of the Alzheimer's care unit."
"Love these books."
"I'm so glad I broke down and bought this set after trying to piece it together one book at a time for a year."
"I bought this set for a Christmas gift for my great niece."
"I loved the Little House books growing up and read them over and over."
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Best Children's American Historical Fiction

Where the Red Fern Grows
Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s sheer will seems unbeatable. Praise for Where the Red Fern Grows A Top 100 Children’s Novel, School Library Journal ' s A Fuse #8 Production. A Must-Read for Kids 9 to 14, NPR. Winner of Multiple State Awards. Over 7 million copies in print! Any child who doesn’t get to read this beloved and powerfully emotional book has missed out on an important piece of childhood for the last 40-plus years.” — Common Sense Media “An exciting tale of love and adventure you’ll never forget.” — School Library Journal “A book of unadorned naturalness.” — Kirkus Reviews “Written with so much feeling and sentiment that adults as well as children are drawn [in] with a passion.” — Arizona Daily Star “It’s a story about a young boy and his two hunting dogs and . When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs. [with] careful, precise observation, all of it rightly phrased.” — The New York Times Book Review “One of the great classics of children’s literature . Any child who doesn’t get to read this beloved and powerfully emotional book has missed out on an important piece of childhood for the last 40-plus years.” — Common Sense Media “An exciting tale of love and adventure you’ll never forget.” — School Library Journal “A book of unadorned naturalness.” — Kirkus Reviews “Written with so much feeling and sentiment that adults as well as children are drawn [in] with a passion.” — Arizona Daily Star “It’s a story about a young boy and his two hunting dogs and .
Reviews
"Wilson Rawls’ classic, timeless story of a young boy’s coming-of-age is heartbreaking, sentimental, and utterly charming. For two years he waits, collecting enough money doing whatever jobs he can, he finally raises enough for two puppies who are delivered via train to the town closest to where he lives. Selling skins to Sears Roebuck & Co. was enough then to fulfill that dream and then later to get him enough money to fly enough hours to be conscripted (after being declared 4F) to train pilots at Americus, Georgia."
"From leaving home to fetch his pups ,to hunting in the Ozarks, this boys journey will have you yearning for your youth, Wishing for simpler times, and feeling emotional."
"An emotional and heart touching story on the vein of Old Yeller."
"It takes a dog owner to feel what our heroine must have felt, devotion, caring, love and true devotion from mans best friend."
"Couldn’t stop listening!"
"My 10 yr."
"This was my favorite book of all time when I was little."
"This book has something in it for both adults and young people."
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Best Children's Books on Farm Life

Charlotte's Web (Trophy Newbery)
They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. The handsome volume sports a clothbound cover framing original jacket art; inside, Rosemary Wells adds country color to Garth Williams's original b&w illustrations. An afterword by Peter F. Neumeyer illuminates White's life and work, including photographs of the author on his farm in Maine as well as pages from the seminal manuscript.
Reviews
"He enjoyed the story and the few little pictures in the book."
"Nice classic novel requested by my 8 year old and it came hardback and good quality cover."
"Very pleased with quality and price."
"I'm a new and beginning reader for the English book, I picked this book after highly recommended by one of website for ESL."
"My daughter loves this story."
"I loved this book when I was a kid, so I gave this book to my niece for Christmas and i hope she loves it too."
"The book exceeded my expectations; in practically "brand-new" shape."
"It was recommended to me, I loved the movie, now I enjoy reading it."
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Best Children's Ape & Monkey Books

The One and Only Ivan
But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).
Reviews
"When my 11-year-old finished reading this novel, his first statement was, “I LOVED that book!” With an endorsement like that and because it was the first instance where he ‘stopped time,’ I had to read the book too. In it, the author says,” We live in a world where children are bullied into despair and even suicide; where armed guards in a school hallway are considered desirable; where libraries are padlocked because of budget cuts; where breakfast and backpacks, for too many children are unaffordable luxuries.”. “What makes children better than the rest of us is that they are buoyant, unrepentant optimists.”. As a writer, reader, and lover of words, I make it a habit to ‘stop time’ whenever I come across sparkling phrases that deserve homage. A ‘stop time’ is where we stop whatever we are doing to read out loud and to listen; we listen to both the author’s words and to what made that phrase so meaningful to the reader. The first ‘stop time’ that my son called happened when Ivan makes an impossible promise to Ruby, the baby elephant."
"great book for children, my son was reading this at school and just had to have it for home too."
"...and that’s not a bad thing."
"Great read for kids!"
"Great audiobook for the family."
"Christmas gift - I'm sure he likes it cause he likes the author."
"Easy, quick and interesting reading."
"My seven year old son and I loved this book."
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Best Children's 1900s US Historical Fiction

Where the Red Fern Grows
Stories of their great achievements spread throughout the region, and the combination of Old Dan’s brawn, Little Ann’s brains, and Billy’s sheer will seems unbeatable. Praise for Where the Red Fern Grows A Top 100 Children’s Novel, School Library Journal ' s A Fuse #8 Production. A Must-Read for Kids 9 to 14, NPR. Winner of Multiple State Awards. Over 7 million copies in print! Any child who doesn’t get to read this beloved and powerfully emotional book has missed out on an important piece of childhood for the last 40-plus years.” — Common Sense Media “An exciting tale of love and adventure you’ll never forget.” — School Library Journal “A book of unadorned naturalness.” — Kirkus Reviews “Written with so much feeling and sentiment that adults as well as children are drawn [in] with a passion.” — Arizona Daily Star “It’s a story about a young boy and his two hunting dogs and . When the victory over the mountain lion turns to tragedy, Billy grieves, but learns the beautiful old Native American legend of the sacred red fern that grows over the graves of his dogs. [with] careful, precise observation, all of it rightly phrased.” — The New York Times Book Review “One of the great classics of children’s literature . Any child who doesn’t get to read this beloved and powerfully emotional book has missed out on an important piece of childhood for the last 40-plus years.” — Common Sense Media “An exciting tale of love and adventure you’ll never forget.” — School Library Journal “A book of unadorned naturalness.” — Kirkus Reviews “Written with so much feeling and sentiment that adults as well as children are drawn [in] with a passion.” — Arizona Daily Star “It’s a story about a young boy and his two hunting dogs and .
Reviews
"Wilson Rawls’ classic, timeless story of a young boy’s coming-of-age is heartbreaking, sentimental, and utterly charming. For two years he waits, collecting enough money doing whatever jobs he can, he finally raises enough for two puppies who are delivered via train to the town closest to where he lives. Selling skins to Sears Roebuck & Co. was enough then to fulfill that dream and then later to get him enough money to fly enough hours to be conscripted (after being declared 4F) to train pilots at Americus, Georgia."
"From leaving home to fetch his pups ,to hunting in the Ozarks, this boys journey will have you yearning for your youth, Wishing for simpler times, and feeling emotional."
"I remembered loving this movie in high school which was....let's say, over 10 years ago."
"An emotional and heart touching story on the vein of Old Yeller."
"It takes a dog owner to feel what our heroine must have felt, devotion, caring, love and true devotion from mans best friend."
"Couldn’t stop listening!"
"My 10 yr."
"This was my favorite book of all time when I was little."
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Best Children's US Local Historical Fiction

Growing Up Wilder: The diary of Virginia Anne Wilder
Meet Virginia Anne Wilder, a spunky young girl you’ll soon grow to love! Virginia’s diary spans over some of the most important times of a young girl’s life as she gets into scraps and learns vital lessons about friendship, sorrow, and love. Hannah Loviisa is a young author living on a farm in a rural part of United States.
Reviews
"Laura Ingalls meets Anne Shirley in this spunky story by Hannah Loviisa. This tale of Virginia Wilder, her friends, and family has earned a place on my bookshelf with other beloved stories. While 1921 was a year of change and expansion in the United States, life on the farm was hard, dirty, never ending hours of work."
"She wants to have fun with her friends (at the same time trying to act more mature), longs for pretty dresses like spoiled Angie always wears, and deals with various issues at school and at home with her five brothers and sisters."
"I predict a long and very successful career for Hannah Loviisa."
"Highly recommended for those who like the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and Dear America diary stories!"
"Seeing life and their trials through the eyes of Virgina Wilder will leave the reader (young & old) with new perspectives."
"Perceptive and clear, the author guides readers into a quaint story rich with endearing characters and details."
"Set in the Roaring Twenties, Growing Up Wilder is the charming diary of Virginia Anne Wilder, a spunky, fun-loving girl of fourteen."
"The writing style is refreshing and engaging, and does an excellent job of painting pictures with words."
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Best Children's US Western Historical Fiction

Old Yeller
A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between a boy and the stray dog who becomes his loyal friend. When his father sets out on a cattle drive toward Kansas for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left to take care of his family and their farm. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?
Reviews
"On the other hand it's a "coming of age" story about a boy who's left in charge of the ranch, while Pa goes on a cattle drive to Kansas, and the stray dog that wanders into their lives and changes everything. Fred Gipson, the author, was born on a farm in the Texas Hill Country where he often worked as a farmer and rancher before attending college for a degree in journalism and becoming a full time writer, as a result much of the narrative is based on his personal, first hand, experience."
"Classic story which will play well with boys, at least from my perspective, but I suspect anyone who has fond memories of life on a farm with a dog as a child will like the book, too."
"I got this book for my 13 year old son who doesn't like to read books, but when he started reading it, he got hooked on it and loved it."
"Loved the movie and was delighted with the book, it had a few twists I did not know about and made the story great reading."
"My two grandsons loved this and plan on passing it on down to their little sister and other brother."
"Great classsic read."
"Classic movie."
"In the film, Travis pens up Yeller and waits for the rabies to become evident, but in the book he only considers this option."
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Best Children's Colonial US Historical Fiction

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans
America’s #1 radio talk-show host and multi-million-copy #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a book for young readers with a history teacher who travels back in time to have adventures with exceptional Americans. Talk about a rock star—this guy wanted to protect young America so badly, he rode through those bumpy, cobblestone-y streets shouting “the British are coming!” On a horse. But what if you could get the real picture—by actually going back in time and seeing with your own eyes how our great country came to be? Our exceptional nation is waiting to be discovered all over again by exceptional young patriots— like you ! After offering a wide-ranging definition of American exceptionalism that begins with the statement that the U.S. is a “land built on true freedom and individual liberty, and it defends both around the world,” Limbaugh goes on to explain that the Founders believed all people were born to be “free as individuals.” Really? The book’s premise is that a substitute history teacher, Rush Revere, who dresses like his hero, Paul, along with his talking horse, Liberty, can go back in time. The text is wordy, and many of the pages are spent on the banter between Rush and Liberty, occasionally amusing but mostly just filling space, as do the tedious explanations of the way time travel works. They hadn’t been spoiled by wall-to-wall carpets, central heating and microwave ovens.” The fact that many modern-day people do experience incredible hardships, albeit different from the Pilgrims, seems not to have occurred to Limbaugh. Apparently, the turnaround for the struggling colony came “when every family was assigned its own plot of land to work.” Rush Revere drives home the point that it was after the Pilgrims stopped sharing the profits that success was ensured. Even Squanto adds, “No more slaves to the Common House.” As for factual inaccuracies, Paul Revere never said, “The British are coming!” That was Mr. Longfellow.
Reviews
"This is the first in the Rush Revere series."
"I bought this book for my grandson."
"Bought the series for our grand kids but everyone should read and understand them."
"My 8 yr old loves these books!"
"my grandson of 8 can't wait for the next one."
"Humor to teach US history."
"purchased copies for all the grandchildren."
"Rush has written 3 very good books for middle school age children."
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