Books in Stories in American History series

In the nineteenth century, over half a million men, women and children traveled west on the Oregon Trail. Stretching two thousand miles from Independence Missouri, to the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Trail was the longest overland route used in the westward expansion. Crossing mountains and deserts, fighting disease, short of both food and water, pioneers endured many hardships to follow the trail west with their hopes and dreams of seeking fortunes in the unsettled west. In SURVIVING THE OREGON TRAIL, author Rebecca Stefoff traces the roots of the Oregon and California Trails back to the seventeenth century, telling the stories of those who left the security and comfort of their homes, to endure months of hard travel in the hope of a new life.

Künstler’s paintings bring history to life with striking portrayals of the events of America’s Wild West, starting in 1804, when Lewis and Clark made their first expeditions, to 1890, when the American frontier was declared ?vanished.” The epic artworks faithfully capture the incredible landscapes, explorations, and battles of this important period, and ask children to look again and again for special details, such as the feathers in an American Indian chief’s headdress to the type of horse a cattleman rides. Together with text by award-winning historian James I. Robertson, Jr., these brilliantly explicit paintings engage a young reader’s attention and introduce him or her to American history through the visual arts. Lauded by both historians and curators, Künstler presents beautifully rendered works chronicling America’s expansion to the West in a historically accurate and appealing way? transporting the reader right into each scene.

This book was written to more easily pass on the rich and timeless message of the U.S. Constitution and to demonstrate how it serves us today. Easy-to-use, it makes the legalistic language and complex structure of the document accessible for all students. Using a unique, two-column format, the full text of the Constitution is presented beside an explanation of its meaning in terms students will understand. Divided into lessons of varying length, it includes thought-provoking questions and directives for outside work. The book begins with a study of the Declaration of Independence for historical perspective. 168 pp.

The battle for the Alamo has become one of the most famous conflicts in American history. In 1836, General Santa Ana led troops in a battle to defend the Alamo—a Spanish-built mission in San Antonio. This battle escalated between American pioneers and Mexican troops into a fight for Texan Independence from Mexico. In THE LEGEND OF THE ALAMO, author Roy Sorrels narrates the battle for control between Texans and Mexicans.

In the nineteenth century, over half a million men, women and children traveled west on the Oregon Trail. Stretching two thousand miles from Independence Missouri, to the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Trail was the longest overland route used in the westward expansion. Crossing mountains and deserts, fighting disease, short of both food and water, pioneers endured many hardships to follow the trail west with their hopes and dreams of seeking fortunes in the unsettled west. In SURVIVING THE OREGON TRAIL, author Rebecca Stefoff traces the roots of the Oregon and California Trails back to the seventeenth century, telling the stories of those who left the security and comfort of their homes, to endure months of hard travel in the hope of a new life.

Contemporary American History 1: Before 1865 covers America's story from its beginning through the end of the Civil War. 20 chapters provide information about American history from economic, geographic, political, religious, technological, social, and cultural perspectives.Student Text features: Engaging four-color designUnit openers with timelines and discussion questionsPre-reading strategies and introduction activitiesReading and vocabulary supportSmall-group activitiesWriting activitiesPrimary source documentsChapter summaries with review questionsEnd of chapter skill builder

American History 2 begins with Reconstruction and the assassination of President Lincoln, and continues through the modern era. 20 chapters provide information about American history from economic, geographic, political, religious, technological, social, and cultural perspectives.Student Text features:Engaging four-color designUnit openers with timelines and discussion questionsPre-reading strategies and introduction activitiesReading and vocabulary supportSmall-group activitiesWriting activitiesPrimary source documentsChapter summaries with review questionsEnd of chapter skill builder