I am so excited to find as many of these at the library as possible! Yesterday I went there and picked up a few you have featured - Castle, Mossy, and Inch by Inch. We are reading Farmer Boy now. Caddie Woodlawn is a treasure - it was my favorite book as a child. Thank you for these trusted recommendations!
Having read the whole series, I have found some of it hard to wade through - simply because it often gives technical descriptions that to me (as both a non-mechanically minded female and a clueless modern) are incomprehensible. Also, the subject matter of the different books differs widely. However, it was definitely valuable reading - I think, though, that the Little House series is just much more accessible.
I'm having a hard time thinking of things to add, because my mind is going in so many directions here - life on the prairie, times of the Revolution, and so forth. One note that comes to mind is just that there is a little-known sequel to "Caddie Woodlawn." Also, the Moffat series is a good example of turn-of-the-century Americana (pre-WWI).
We just got the Caddie Woodlawn sequel in the mail, having ordered it after you mentioned it a few weeks ago! I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ll have to check out the others you mention, too!
Ha! Totally forgot that I mentioned it! Guess I must really like that book! (Actually, I think it's not as good as the first, but it's definitely worth a read. I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!!)
Thanks for the excellent suggestions! Sad that the official organizations aren't taking the opportunity to celebrate classic American books on this occasion. I expect this is at least partly a result of recently revised history that teaches shame for anything that can be construed as "white supremacy" and wants to cancel the culture that formed it. Sad that children aren't being shown much of their own national story to learn to judge for themselves, and to develop their own identity. If we don't pass on our origin stories to the next generation, apart from cursing our forefathers, it doesn't bode well for the nation's future.
This is a fantastic list, thank you! I'm bummed my library has so few of these, but I'm stocking up on all the David Adler biographies. And I think my son is going to love Paul Revere's Ride.
It is certainly disappointing to hear that organizations like the ALA are not publishing book lists.
Excellent list!!!! Some I'm not familiar with.
Doreen Rapport wrote a lot of good biographies.
Also the "you wouldn't want" series has some excellent titles like "You Wouldn’t Want to be an American Colonist!"
And Peter Spier has the best illustrations for The Star Spangled Banner.
I must get this Peter Spier book!
Oh, yeah, the Spier book is great!
I am so excited to find as many of these at the library as possible! Yesterday I went there and picked up a few you have featured - Castle, Mossy, and Inch by Inch. We are reading Farmer Boy now. Caddie Woodlawn is a treasure - it was my favorite book as a child. Thank you for these trusted recommendations!
Little Britches is a favorite recent discovery. Having read it, I'm surprised it doesn't have a more Little House level following.
Having read the whole series, I have found some of it hard to wade through - simply because it often gives technical descriptions that to me (as both a non-mechanically minded female and a clueless modern) are incomprehensible. Also, the subject matter of the different books differs widely. However, it was definitely valuable reading - I think, though, that the Little House series is just much more accessible.
Thank you for including the board book recommendations! Now I can pick something from this list for both myself and my nephew.
Great list! My kids have all enjoyed the old Childhood of Famous American biographies, too.
Wow, Rachelle - so many books here! And you have given such a wide scope - Revolutionary War + Colonial + Americana in general - wow!
Here is a list from another of my favorite bloggers:
https://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2026/05/am-i-happy-with-my-kitchen-hardware-choices-and-books-for-the-250th-with-a-sneak-peek/
I'm having a hard time thinking of things to add, because my mind is going in so many directions here - life on the prairie, times of the Revolution, and so forth. One note that comes to mind is just that there is a little-known sequel to "Caddie Woodlawn." Also, the Moffat series is a good example of turn-of-the-century Americana (pre-WWI).
Great list! Love it.
We just got the Caddie Woodlawn sequel in the mail, having ordered it after you mentioned it a few weeks ago! I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ll have to check out the others you mention, too!
Ha! Totally forgot that I mentioned it! Guess I must really like that book! (Actually, I think it's not as good as the first, but it's definitely worth a read. I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts on it!!)
Thanks for the excellent suggestions! Sad that the official organizations aren't taking the opportunity to celebrate classic American books on this occasion. I expect this is at least partly a result of recently revised history that teaches shame for anything that can be construed as "white supremacy" and wants to cancel the culture that formed it. Sad that children aren't being shown much of their own national story to learn to judge for themselves, and to develop their own identity. If we don't pass on our origin stories to the next generation, apart from cursing our forefathers, it doesn't bode well for the nation's future.
This is a fantastic list, thank you! I'm bummed my library has so few of these, but I'm stocking up on all the David Adler biographies. And I think my son is going to love Paul Revere's Ride.
It is certainly disappointing to hear that organizations like the ALA are not publishing book lists.
Wonderful list! This librarian is inspired.