Top 10 American History Read Alouds

Every Tuesday, I've been joining up with the fabulous ladies of iHomeschool Network to offer up 10 lists of Top 10. This week we are focusing on our Top 10 favorite Read Alouds. When given that topic, my head nearly exploded! How in the world would I ever pick just 10?! I'm sort of known as the "Closet Librarian." Books are my best friends, especially great children's books.

So, I'm taking the liberty of narrowing my topic to my Top 10 American History Read Alouds for Young Learners...phew...that was a mouthful. (If you are a list purist and insist on knowing my Top 10 Favorite Read Alouds of all the time periods and genres, you can check out my list of favorite fictional chapter books. But, I'm warning you, there are more than 10!)

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I have chosen living literature quality books...books that are not necessarily non-fiction but which are based upon an actual event or era in history...because so much can be learned about the life and times of a people group or event in history from a well-written story. Although most historical fiction is written for older students, even early learners (Pre-K through 3rd graders) can learn valuable historical lessons simply by snuggling on the couch with an age-appropriate historical fiction.

The first 10 books are picture books to be read aloud by mom or dad, while the last 10 are early reader chapter books to be enjoyed by emergent readers (or crazy thirty-something moms, like me, that just can't get enough of great children's books!) Many of these authors have written other wonderful historical fictions. So if you find one that you like, be sure to check out their other titles.

Here's my Top 10 American History Read Alouds in chronological order...

Top 10 Picture Books

 

1. Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters

 

2. The Hatmaker's Sign retold by Candace Fleming

 

3. The Ox-Cart Man by Donald Fleming

 

4. Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkinson & Nancy Carpenter

 

5. Nine For California by Sonia Levitin

 

6. The Promise Quilt by Candice F. Ransom

 

7. Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell

 

8. Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming

 

9. The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

 

10. The Bicycle Man by Allen Say

Top 10 Emergent Readers

 

1. Good Hunting, Blue Sky by Peggy Parish

 

2. Finding Providence: The Story of Roger Williams by Avi

 

3. Buttons for General Washington by Peter and Connie Roop

 

4. Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley

 

5. George Washington and the General's Dog by Frank Murphey

 

6. The Josefina Story Quilt by Eleanor Goerr

 

7. Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Goerr

 

8. Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Brenner

 

9. Clara and the Bookwagon by Nancy Smiler Levinson

10. Eat My Dust! Henry Ford's First Race by Monica Kulling

If you are looking for more American History titles for early learners, check out these GREAT American History authors:

• Ingri and Edgar d'Aulaire
• David A. Adler
• Steven Kellogg
• Alice Dalgliesh

For more great book suggestions, be sure to head to iHomeschool Network and check out the Massive Guide to Homeschool Reading Lists!

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