Stories of the American Frontier
Expansion (1800’s)
ELEMENTARY
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TRAILBLAZERS/PIONEERS
The Biography of a Prairie Girl
by Eleanor Gates (1904) Eleanor left Dakota at 12 and settled in California not far from Redding. A story of enduring hardships in the everyday struggle for survival. If you like Little House books, you'll like this. Bird-Woman of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
by Katherine Chandler (1905) Story of Sacajawea; 1st/2nd-grade reader Historical Fiction by Joseph Altsheler
In the Heart of the Rockies (1860)
by G. A. Henty A young boy's determination to join his uncle in Colorado and the dangers, joys and sorrows he encounters along the way. In Those Days
by Ella Hallock (1912) A grandma tells her little granddaughter what life was life in pioneer days. Stories of Pioneer Life, for Young Readers
by Florence Bass (1900) Very simple stories of pioneer life, although treatment of Native Americans isn't necessarily politically correct. CALIFORNIA HISTORY STORIES
Captain Baylay’s Heir—a story of California Gold Fields (1850)
by G. A. Henty Historical fiction in the setting of the California Gold Rush. Martha of California, a story of the California Trail
by James Otis (1913) Another selection from James Otis' Pioneer Series. This time, California travel through the eyes of a child. Pacific History Stories—California
by Herr Wagner (1896) Read the stories of the early days of California--of Balboa, Magellan, Carrillo, Drake, Fremont, the missions, the discovery of gold and other California interests. TEXAS HISTORY STORIES
Texas History Stories
by Ellbridge Littlejohn (1901) Stories of de Vaca, LaSalle, Ellis Bean, Stephen Austin, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, the Alamo and more! Historical Fiction: The Texan Series by Joseph Astheler
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NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES
Four American Indians, for young Americans
by Edson Whitney (1904) King Philip, Pontiac, Tecumseh, Osceola Redskin and Cowboy (1851)
by G. A. Henty Historical fiction tale of the Western plains and the life of a cowboy. Stories of Indian Chieftains
by Mary Hall Husted (1911) The story starts with Columbus and follows Indian children. Written for Grades 3-4. The purpose is 'to awaken a sympathy for the dying race.' Stories of Indian Children
by Mary Hall Husted (1898) An account of life among Native Americans, written for very young children. Includes an introduction to Hiawatha. CLASSIC CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Adventures of Tom Sawyer
by Mark Twain Adventurous and mischievous Tom Sawyer lives with his Aunt Polly and half-brother, Sid, along the Mississippi River. Caddie Woodlawn
by Carol Ryrie Brink 11 year old Caddie's story is based on the life and memories of the author's grandmother. Exciting adventures in the spirit of the Little House books. Newbery medal winner. Laddie
by Gene Porter-Stratton This charming story is told by the 8-10 year old 'Little Sister', a young girl who loves to learn, but has no patience for school. Her ideal classroom is nature herself. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
by Rebecca Douglas Wiggin Chatty 10 year old Rebecca wins over prim Aunt Miranda and the whole town with her energetic, indomitable spirit. The Story of Opal-the journal of an Understanding Heart
by Opal Whiteley 'A lyrical, lovely and deeply touching adaptation of an authentic journal kept by an orphaned 6 year old girl--later believed to be a French princess--living in an Oregon lumber camp.' The language may be a bit offsetting at first because it's written by a little girl who is just learning to write. But if you want a story full of imagination and love of nature, this is a wonderful book. Toby Tyler
by James Otis 10 year old Toby runs away from home to join the circus. It's a much harder life than he could have imagined. It's a story of friendship, sacrifice, love and family. What Katy Did
by Susan Coolidge 12 year old Katy, the eldest of 6 children, changes from a selfish girl to a caring young woman. Experience fun in a loving and cozy home. Set in 1860's Ohio. Sequels: |
MIDDLE SCHOOL
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PIONEERS/TRAILBLAZERS
A Lantern in Her Hand
by Bess Streeter Aldrich Endearing story of a pioneer mother and the harsh life of the Nebraska frontier. A touching story of sacrifice and a life lived in the service of others. Daniel Boone, the Pioneer of Kentucky
by John Abbott (1898) Daniel Boone was 'truly one of nature's gentle men . . . This narrative reveals a state of society and habitudes of life now rapidly passing into oblivion.' Jacob Hamblin
Personal narrative of frontiersman, missionary to the Indians and explorer. 'Interposition of Providence, Severe Privations, Perilous Situations, and Remarkable Escapes.' Letters of a Woman Homesteader
by Elinor Pruitt (1914) Illustrated by N.C. Wyeth A young widow with a small child leaves Denver for Wyoming in 1909, determined to prove a lone woman could survive the hardships of homesteading. Pacific History Stories
by Alice Harriman Stories of Montana trailblazers-'applauding the winners, but not forgetting those who lost.' Pioneers of the Rocky Mountains and the West
by Charles McMurry (1904) Stories of Lewis and Clark, Fremont, Powell, Parkman, Drake's voyage to California, Coronado and discovery of gold. CALIFORNIA HISTORY STORIES
The Missions of California
by Racine McRoskey (1914) Simple introduction to Father Sierra and a brief description of each of the California missions. TEXAS HISTORY STORIES
Texas Hero Stories
by Katie Daffan (1908) Texas history is filled with stories of heroic achievement, adventure, dangerous situations, sacrifice and martyrdom. Learn about LaSalle, Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, Albert Johnston, Francis Lubbock, John Reagan and James Hogg. |
HAWAIIAN HISTORY STORIES
The Story of Hawaii
by Mary Alexander (1912) Great story of Hawaii. Notice common Hawaiian words in the appendix. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
American Indians
by Frederick Starr (1899) Fascinating look at the Native-Americans. The author personally knew thirty different Indian tribes. Book of Indian Braves
by Kate Sweetser (1919) Stories of Powhatan, Osceola, Sequoyah, King Philip, Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull and Pontiac. Famous Indian Chiefs I have Known
by O.O. Howard of the U.S. Army (1908) Personal encounters with Osceola, Billy Bowlegs, Pasqual, Antonio, Santos, Pedro, Cochise, Manuelito, Capt. Jack, 2 Indian princesses, Red Cloud, Sitting-Bull, Washakie, Geronomio and more. CLASSIC CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
A Girl of the Limberlost
by Gene Porter-Stratton Unable to afford an education, Elinore develops a plan to sell artifacts and moths from the swamp. Includes a tender love story. Captains Courageous
by Rudyard Kipling 15 year old Harvey is a spoiled son of a wealthy railroad tycoon. After being washed overboard while on a voyage, he has to accept a position on the rescue ship where he is required to work for the first time in his life. Freckles
by Gene Porter-Stratton Sequel to Girl of the Limberlost. Moving story of an orphaned boy, maimed and abandoned as an infant. He finds happiness in the companionship of the creatures of the wild and in the love of the beautiful Swamp Angel. |
HIGH SCHOOL
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PIONEERS/TRAILBLAZERS
In My Youth
by Robert Dudley (1914) I loved this book. Tons of 'gems'. Robert Dudley was a pen name for James Baldwin who you may recognize as the story teller of many of the books I use. A great insight into olden days. Lewis and Clark: Partners in Discovery
by John Bakeless (1947) Contains 'an immense amount of hitherto unknown material'. Considered one of the best books on Lewis and Clark. The Way to the West
by Emerson Hough (1903) In depth stories of Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett and Kit Carson. William Clayton’s Journal
A daily record of the journey of the original company of Mormon pioneers from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City. Memoirs of John R. Young: Utah Pioneer (1847)
Engaging first hand account of pioneer and missionary life. Philip Nolan’s Friends
by Edward Everett Hale (1876) Written by the author of Man Without a Country. He wrote the book to bring to life obscure facts in the annexation of the Louisiana Territory. COWBOY LIFE
The Log of a Cowboy—a narrative of the old trail days
by Andy Adams (1904) True-to-life story of an 1882 cattle drive from the Rio Grande to Montana. Long considered the best and most reliable account of real cowboy life ever written. CALIFORNIA HISTORY STORIES
Drift O’ Dreams
by Racine McRoskey (1911) Brief introduction to the work of the Franciscan monks in the California missions. The Expedition of the Donner Party and Its Tragic Fate
by Eliza Donner Houghton (1920) Personal recollection of Eliza Donner, a young child in the ill-fated Donner party as well as life in the early days of California. Junipero Serra: The Man and His Work
by Abigail Hetzel Fitch (1914) Biography of Junipera Serra and his work with the California missions. |
NATIVE AMERICAN STORIES
A Delaware Indian Legend and the story of their troubles
by Aichard Adam (1899) 'Full justice has never been done the Indian in the American histories and I should like to write one as it should be written from the Indian's own point of view.' The Boy’s Catlin: my life among the Indians
by George Catlin (1909) The life of the Native Americans through the eyes of painter and artist, George Catlin. Forty Years Among the Indians
by Jeremiah Hubbard (1913) Personal narrative of Jeremiah Hubbard who humbly and quietly served for forty years among the Native Americans. Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains
by Charles Eastman (1918) Interesting accounts of great chiefs written by a Sioux Indian 'in the light of the native character and ideals'. Includes Red Cloud, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph. The Soul of the Indian
by Charles Eastman (1911) Fascinating account of the religious life of the typical American Indian as told by a Sioux Indian. I think this book has given me more appreciation for the Natives and their customs than any other. The Story of the American Indian
by Elbridge Brooks (1887) 'To all friends of humanity who, despising injustice, seek to convert public opinion into public conscience, this story of the American Indian is gratefully inscribed . . . if this story of a race . . . shall lead readers to exchange indifference for interest and contempt for justice, the labor and study . . . will not have been in vain.' CLASSIC LITERATURE
The Virginian
by Owen Wister The first western novel to use the cowboy as a heroic figure. 'A strong, silent stranger rides into the lawless land of the western frontier, battles horse thieves, deals with scoundrels, and wins the heart of the schoolmarm'. A hero governed by quiet courage and a deep sense of honor. |