The Early Modern period—from roughly the 1500s through the 1700s—was a fascinating time of exploration, religious change, political upheaval, and new ideas. These book lists are a collection of the picture books, historical fiction, and living stories we’ve used to bring this period of history to life.
Many of our early modern history posts focus on the history of the United States, including colonial America, the American Revolution, and the people and events that shaped the young nation. I’ll continue adding book lists from the wider early modern world as we explore them.
- Best Books on Shakespeare for Kids
We’re diving into Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Era with all the books on Shakespeare and fun books inspired by his works! Interested in learning how I introduce the Shakespeare’s actual plays to my kids? Find that info here: Easy Ways to Introduce Shakespeare to your Kids… Read more: Best Books on Shakespeare for Kids - October 31: Halloween and Reformation Day
We are once again diving into the history of Halloween! And this year, we found another significant event that occurred on October 31: Reformation Day. - Christopher Columbus Books: An Honest Look at the Real Story
What do you remember about Columbus from your own social studies classes? Take an honest look at the real story with these Christopher Columbus books. - Book Stack: Great Books about Aztecs, Maya, and Incas
Now we get to the pre-Columbian societies in Central and South America. Here are the chapter books about Aztecs, Maya, and Incas. The chapter book selection was slim pickings! We mainly studied these civilizations using picture books. You’ll see that I pulled a lot of fun… Read more: Book Stack: Great Books about Aztecs, Maya, and Incas - Books Like Little House on the Prairie
I’m not saying “don’t read Little House on the Prairie.” But also check out these two books, rooted in history, and sharing Asian and Jewish perspectives. - American Constitution and Amendments for KidsHere are 5 books that we found helpful to increase our understanding the American Constitution and Amendments, past and present. This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn a few cents on qualifying purchases. Thanks in advance for helping with the costs of running this… Read more: American Constitution and Amendments for Kids
- Life of a Revolutionary Poet: Phillis Wheatley BooksPhillis Wheatley was born around 1753 in what is perhaps present-day Senegal. She was enslaved and lived in Boston, Massachusetts with the Wheatley family where she was taught to read and write. Phillis became the first famous black poet in America, although she had to defend… Read more: Life of a Revolutionary Poet: Phillis Wheatley Books
- More Interesting Books about the American Revolution
I always look for inspiring biographies in our studies of US and world studies. We enjoyed these picture and chapter books about the American Revolution. - Spies in the American Revolution: Betcha Didn’t Know!
WOW this was a fascinating topic, learning about spies in the American Revolution. We took a week-long detour to explore this topic! - US History: Elementary Level Books for ReadingThese elementary level books for reading are great for kids to practice their reading skills or just to have something easier on hand for fun. History + reading in one shot! These stories are a bit simplified and one-dimensional. When provided, the author’s notes give additional… Read more: US History: Elementary Level Books for Reading
- Books about the other Founding Fathers of AmericaI’ll have to admit, I didn’t know much about the other Founding Fathers of America. These picture and short chapter books were engaging reads for us. This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn a few cents on qualifying purchases. Thanks in advance for helping… Read more: Books about the other Founding Fathers of America
- The Beginning of the American Revolution
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the beginning of the American Revolution. The first volley of shots between the British and the minutemen at Concord is known as “the shot heard round the world.” We kicked off our study of the American Revolution with these… Read more: The Beginning of the American Revolution - The Declaration of Independence and American RevolutionInstead of focusing on various Fourth of July celebrations, this booklist is all about the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution. I was glad to find additional perspectives from women and an enslaved person. The second part of this booklist focuses on the Liberty Bell. Definitely… Read more: The Declaration of Independence and American Revolution
- Books about George Washington
These are the books about George Washington that we enjoyed. Some are overviews of his life, some focus on events during the Revolutionary War, and some on his presidency. I felt it was important to also learn about one of the Washington’s enslaved people, Ona Judge.… Read more: Books about George Washington - Booklist to learn about Colonial Times in America
Where on the timeline is “Colonial Life in America?” It’s from the earliest British colonies in America (Jamestown in 1607) until the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783. These are the books that we read for a glimpse into colonial times in America. This post… Read more: Booklist to learn about Colonial Times in America - Science and History with Benjamin Franklin Books
Benjamin Franklin is such a interesting character to study along with the history of colonial America. In these Benjamin Franklin books for kids, we learned so many fun facts about Benjamin Franklin and the various facets of his personality: his inventions, his love for swimming, and… Read more: Science and History with Benjamin Franklin Books - New Amsterdam New York: History of the Big Apple
I made a handful of acquaintances in college who had attended the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in New York City. And now, I know the history behind the person, Peter Stuyvesant! Here are the books that we read about the Dutch pioneers that created the settlement… Read more: New Amsterdam New York: History of the Big Apple - Interesting Books about Pilgrims
Do you think pilgrims when you think of Plymouth, Massachusetts? I learned that they most likely did not land on Plymouth Rock! I found all of these books about Pilgrims at my library and I hope you can, too! Most histories do not mention why the… Read more: Interesting Books about Pilgrims - Truth behind the Myth: Books about Pocahontas and Jamestown
Did you know there were multiple lost colonies between the Lost Colony of Roanoke and the Jamestown Colony? We’ve all seen the Disney version of Pocahontas, and then heard it was filled with falsehoods. But where is the true story? I found wonderful living books about… Read more: Truth behind the Myth: Books about Pocahontas and Jamestown - Resources about Roanoke Colony: The Lost Colony
The 2nd grade US history curriculum jumped from Columbus to Jamestown. Hold the phone! Did they forget about the Roanoke Colony, aka “the Lost Colony?” I can see how that might happen with a nickname like that! This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn… Read more: Resources about Roanoke Colony: The Lost Colony - How to Sail and Explore: The Age of Exploration
The next section in our study of American history was the Age of Exploration. We happened to be studying Portugal simultaneously which matched up perfectly! The Age of Exploration My older kids read Around the World in a Hundred Years: from Henry the Navigator to Magellan.… Read more: How to Sail and Explore: The Age of Exploration - How to Sail and Explore: Leif Ericson the Viking
We began our study of American History with the first non-native explorers who reached the shores of America: Leif Ericson and the Vikings. This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links. I may earn a few cents on qualifying purchases. Thanks in advance for helping with the costs… Read more: How to Sail and Explore: Leif Ericson the Viking