Books in The American Adventure series

Imagine leaving your home and moving across the country to a new life on the unknown frontier. That’s exactly what members of the Donner Party were trying to do in the mid-1800s when they traveled out west, chasing their dreams of a better life. But instead, many were destined to meet a cruel fate. Lively language, historical illustrations, and primary source journal entries from members of the Donner Party help readers feel as if they were a part of the journey. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

Twelve-year-old Lili has an unwanted gift, the power to heal. She doesn't understand her gift and it keeps getting her into trouble. Her father is missing and presumed dead at the Civil War Battle of the Wilderness in 1864. Lili's mother cannot support the family on the meager wages of a seamstress and entrusts Lili and her brother to a Philadelphia orphanage. After a daring escape, they follow their father's trail to Clara Barton's "flying hospital" on the battlefield at Petersburg, Virginia, and from there into the besieged city. In Petersburg, Lili must come to terms with her healing gift.

Imagine being asked to explore an unknown part of the country. That's exactly what happened to Daniel Boone in the mid-1700s. Boone and others cut a path through the wilderness of Kentucky and Virginia. Lively language, historical illustrations, and primary source journal entries from Boone and his fellow settlers help readers feel as if they were a part of the journey. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

Imagine being asked by the president of the United States to explore an unknown part of the country. That’s exactly how Lewis and Clark found themselves blazing a trail west from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, they met American Indian tribes and documented plants and animals they had never seen before. Lively language, historical illustrations, and primary source journal entries from the explorers help readers feel as if they were a part of the journey. Meets Common Core critical thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.

In early-nineteenth-century Cincinnati, fifteen-year-old George Lankford, whose main interests include creating a steam engine and avoiding a friendship with the badly scarred new boy, Charles Lidell, finds his life radically changed when an earthquake hits town.In early-nineteenth-century Cincinnati, George Lankford, who wants to create a steam engine while avoiding friendship with a badly scarred boy, Charles Lidell, finds his life changed after an earthquake.

Though the Pony Express existed for less than two years, its legend lives on today. Its mission was to deliver mail 2,000 miles across the American plains and deserts in half the time it would take by stagecoach. Riders faced many dangers, from hostile American Indians to wicked weather. Lively language and historical illustrations will help readers feel as if they are part of the journey. Meets Common Core criticial thinking standards, and provides strong ties to social studies standards on westward expansion.