The American Colonies division of the Young Readers collection focuses on Colonial History of the British settlements in the Americas, but also includes Stories of Discovery of the new world undertaken by Spanish and French explorers.

SQUANTO AND THE PILGRIMS

Young students enjoy stories from the earliest colonies, including the adventures of Colonists in Jamestown and the dramatic events of the Pilgrim Settlers of Plymouth colony. Students should also be familiar with stories of other notable colonies such as William Penn of Pennsylvania, the Dutch founders of New York, Roger Williams of Rhode Island, and James Oglethorpe of Georgia. James Otis Colonial Children includes several volumes that feature stories of early settlers and are an excellent introduction to the period.

Many of the conflicts covered in the American Colonial division are wars between early settlers and American Indians. The Young Readers collection includes stories of several well-known American Indians, such as Squanto, Pocahontas, and Pontiac, but it does not include books that present a broader view of American Indian history. Most books that specifically address Indian history are included in the Early America Academy Couse, intended for slightly older readers.

Other important conflicts, such as the Revolutionary War, and the French-Indian War that preceded it are covered by several books in the Young Readers collection. The Revolutionary War period is one of the most interesting periods of American History to many children because it features stories about well-known American heroes, such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and dozens of other early patriots.

Most of the Young Reader Study Questions that relate to the colonial period of Early American history are taken from America First by Evans, and the first two volumes of the American History Stories series by Pratt.

Character/Date	Short Biography
Exploration
Leif Ericsson 980–1020	Discovered Newfoundland and explored the seacoast of North America. Son of Erik the Red.
Christopher Columbus 1451–1506	Genoan sailor, sponsored by Isabela of Spain, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas.
Ponce de Leon 1460–1521	First Spanish governor of Puerto Rico. Explored inland regions of Florida while searching for the fountain of youth.
Hernando De Soto 1496–1542	Adventurer who aided in conquest of Peru, then explored Southwestern United States. Discovered Mississippi river.
Colonial
Pocahontas 1595–1617	Daughter of an Indian Chieftain who helped the early settlers in the Jamestown Colony in Virginia.
John Smith 1580–1631	Adventurer, leader and early settler at Jamestown. Befriended Pocahontas.
William Brewster 1560–1644	One of the Pilgrim Fathers who sailed on the Mayflower. Elder in Congressional Church.
Miles Standish 1584–1656	Military advisor to the Plymouth colony. Arrived on the Mayflower.
William Penn 1660–1718	Quaker, and founder of the colony of Pennsylvania.
Blackbeard 1680–1718	Notorious pirate of the Spanish Main who haunted the Coast of North Carolina and the West Indies.
James Oglethorpe 1696–1785	Founder of Georgia as buffer state between English and Spanish Colonies . Opposed Slavery.
Revolution
Benjamin Franklin 1706–1790	Statesman, publisher, inventor, and non-conformist. Founding father, and benefactor of Philadelphia.
Paul Revere 1735–1818	Paul Revere is famous for his ride from through Lexington-Concord, warning of the British attack.
George Washington 1732–1799	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
Patrick Henry 1736–1799	American Patriot, active in inciting the rebellion against Britain. First Governor of Virginia.
Lafayette 1757–1834	French soldier who fought in American Revolution, and early leader of French Revolution.
Benedict Arnold 1741–1801	Hero of the Revolutionary War, but tragically turned traitor. He escaped to the British before discovery.
John Paul Jones 1747–1792	American Revolution Naval Hero. Famous for the sea fight Bon Homme Richard vs. Serapis.
Pontiac 1720–1769	Leader of a Great Lakes tribe who planned a rebellion. His attempt to take fort Detroit was thwarted by an Indian who warned the garrison.

AD Year	Event
1492	Christopher Columbus discovers America
1492	Ponce de Leon discovers Florida while searching for the fountain of youth.
1607	John Smith helps establish Jamestown, the first British colony in America.
1608	French explorers establish the city of Quebec, the capital of Canada.
1620	The Pilgrims cross the Atlantic in the Mayflower, and arrive in Plymouth Massachusetts
1634	Lord Baltimore sends British colonists settle in Maryland.
1664	The British conquer the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam and turn it into New York.
1677	William Penn establishes a Quaker colony in Pennsylvania.
1732	Oglethorpe settles Georgia, the last of the 13 colonies.
1759	Quebec, the French capital in America, falls to the British.
1773	Boston Tea Party. Patriots protest against the British Tea tax.
1773	American Revolutionary War begins. Midnight ride of Paul Revere and the Battle of Lexington.
1776	Birth of the United States. The Declaration of Independence is signed.

Book Title	Selected Chapters (# chapters)
Eggleston - Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans	The First Governor in Boston to Clark and His Men (21)
Evans - America First	Leif, the Lucky to Benjamin Franklin (50)
Eggleston - Stories of American Life and Adventure	A White Boy Among Indians to Elizabeth Zane (27)
Hutchinson - Men Who Found America	entire book
Imlach - Story of Columbus	entire book
Pratt - American History Stories—Volume I	entire book
Pratt - American History Stories—Volume II	entire book
Pumphrey - Stories of the Pilgrims	entire book
Perkins - Puritan Twins	entire book
Otis Kaler - Ruth of Boston	entire book
Otis Kaler - Richard of Jamestown	entire book
Otis Kaler - Stephen of Philadelphia	entire book
Otis Kaler - Peter of New Amsterdam	entire book
Otis Kaler - Mary of Plymouth	entire book
Otis Kaler - Calvert of Maryland	entire book
Stockton - Buccaneers and Pirates of our Coasts	entire book