Books in Sidelights on American History series

The extraordinarily adventurous life of John Paul Jones will fascinate young readers with information about the extent of his travels and his hard-won mastery of sailing and naval warfare. His rapid rise within the navy will be an inspiration for readers as it is for all naval cadets. This informational text correlates to sate standards on patriotism and civics.

John Paul Jones is remembered as the first hero of the young American Navy. He raided the British coast during the American Revolution, capturing or sinking more than forty enemy ships in one of the greatest naval battles in our nation’s military history. Readers will enjoy this thrilling account of the birth and growth of the American Navy, brought to life through engaging text, rich color photos, and primary source materials.

Have you ever wondered what life was really like on the wagon trail? Through recipes, crafts, engaging historical information, activities, and games this book gives you a chance to experience what life was like on the wagon trail. Included in this book are timelines, maps, exciting photographs, one recipe, and three crafts or activities. Age appropriate instructions, tips for teachers, and thought provoking questions make each craft appropriate for either individual of classroom use.

How did George Washington become our first president? Using clear, engaging prose and an event-by-event account, this book takes readers through the story of this amazing man’s election. Students will learn about Washington’s life from his childhood on a Virginia farm to being chosen as a representative at the First Continental Congress. Details of Washington’s heroics in the Revolutionary War and his position as the country’s first president, as well as illustrations and historical images, bring this portrait of a Founding Father to life.

British-born Thomas Paine came to Philadelphia in 1774. Inspired by the colonists’ cries for liberty, Paine captured his own political philosophy and ideals for freedom in a revolutionary pamphlet called Common Sense. Primary source material and easily accessible text tell the story of how Paine helped set the stage for the writing of the Declaration of Independence and how he profoundly influenced the course of our nation’s history and ideology.

Have you ever wondered what life was really like during the Civil War? Through recipes, crafts, engaging historical information, activities, and games this book gives you a chance to experience what life was like during the Civil War. Included in this book are timelines, maps, exciting photographs, one recipe, and three crafts or activities. Age appropriate instructions, tips for teachers, and thought provoking questions make each craft appropriate for either individual of classroom use.