As part of Utah Reads, and in partnership with America250 Utah, the list below is for readers at the elementary, middle-school, and high-school levels.
Find a suggested list of titles for adult readers here.
While we have tried to vet each book, remember that our nation includes groups and individuals with diverse interests and backgrounds. Each person’s list of preferred books will look different from another’s.
Ultimately, the choice of the books you and your child/students read is personal. We encourage you to have conversations in your home or classroom and talk about the ideas presented in the books.
These websites may be helpful in selecting titles that will help you learn about our American Founding:
Resources like these give in-depth analysis of content and suggest similar titles. This information can help you feel confident in your decision to check out and read a particular book.
In this anniversary year of the Declaration, we are learning about the personalities, history, and thought that shaped the American Founding. To assist you in choosing which books to read, we have divided the list into People, Events, and Ideas categories, keeping in mind that some books may fall into more than one.
Mumbet's Declaration of Independence
By Gretchen Woelfle
A true story of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved woman who used the principles of the Declaration's ideals to sue for her freedom.
A Picture Book of Patrick Henry
By David A. Adler
A straightforward biography of a key figure whose "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech helped catalyze the movement for independence.
A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent
By Anne Rockwell
Highlights an essential, often overlooked figure (an enslaved man) and his military role in the Revolutionary War.
Gingerbread for Liberty! How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution
By Mara Rockliff
The true story of Christopher Ludwick, showing nonmilitary support for the cause during the war.
Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier
By Beth Anderson
The story of Deborah Sampson, a woman who fought in the American Revolution disguised as a man.
By Mifflin Lowe
Stories about the heroic women, African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, and other brace but less well-known people played pivotal roles in America's birth.
George Washington and the General’s Dog
By Frank Murphy
Little-known true story about our nation's first president, George Washington.
Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette
By Selene Castrovilla
Narrative nonfiction picture book story about the important wartime friendship between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette.
Founding Mothers: Remembering the Ladies
By Cokie Roberts
Written by bestselling author Cokie Roberts and adapted by Natalie Pope Boyce, this nonfiction picture book that highlights the female patriots of the American Revolution.
Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy
By Nathan Hale
This graphic novel brings to life the story of Nathan Hale, Revolutionary spy who died saying “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”
A Young Patriot: The American Revolution as Experienced by One Boy
By Jim Murphy
Through Joseph Plumb Martin's firsthand account, this book chronicles a 15-year-old farm boy's experiences fighting in the American Revolution under Washington and Lafayette.
A True Patriot: The Journal of William Thomas Emerson, a Revolutionary War Patriot
By Barry Denenberg
In 1774 Boston, young Will finds refuge at Seven Stars Tavern, where he becomes involved in the colonial patriot movement and must decide how much he'll sacrifice for freedom.
Love Thy Neighbor, The Tory Diary of Prudence Emerson
By Ann Turner
During the American Revolution, a young Tory girl struggles with loyalty to the British Crown while her neighbors join the Patriot cause, culminating in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
By Ann Rinaldi
A young girl growing up during the Revolutionary War struggles with her father's secret and her own.
By Ann Rinaldi
With their father away most of the time advocating independence for the American colonies, the children of Patrick Henry try to raise themselves, manage the family plantation, and care for their mentally ill mother.
By David McCullough
An in-depth look at Adams's critical role in the Declaration and the war.
By Ron Chernow
Comprehensive biography covering Washington's essential role as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
Hamilton & Peggy! A Revolutionary Friendship
By L. M. Elliott
Drawing from historical journals and letters, Elliot weaves a detailed tale about the extraordinary Peggy Schuyler and her friendship with Alexander Hamilton.
The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence
By Judith St. George
A factual, engaging picture book detailing the physical history of the Declaration—how it was written, protected, and traveled.
Rescuing the Declaration of Independence
By Anna Crowley Redding
A fascinating nonfiction account of saving the document during the War of 1812.
History Smashers: The American Revolution
By Kate Messner
A non-ideological, factual debunking of common myths about the war.
By Alice Dalgliesh
Takes readers back to revolutionary times, to the colonists’ desire for freedom and the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
By Tim Grove
Through various viewpoints (Washington, Hamilton, traitor Benedict Arnold, and more) this tells the story of the victory at Yorktown. Illustrated with archival images, broadsides, and letters.
By Esther Forbes
Historical fiction set entirely during the run-up to and the early parts of the Revolution.
Washington's Crossing (Young Readers' Edition)
By David Hackett Fischer
A true story of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved woman who used the principles of the Declaration's ideals to sue for her freedom.
Sophia's War: A Tale of the Revolution
By Avi
Historical fiction exploring the war's drama & moral challenges in New York.
By Russell Freedman
Excellent non-fiction on the immediate catalysts of the Revolution, incorporating meticulous research, quotes from contemporary accounts, and a contemporary map of Boston.
Answering the Cry for Freedom: Stories of African Americans & the American Revolution
By Gretchen Woelfle
As American patriots fought for independence, enslaved and free African Americans faced oppressive conditions. They took up their own fight for freedom by joining the British and American armies.
By Avi
At 13, Jonathan longs to fight in the Revolutionary War. Joining a fighting unit, he soon experiences war’s realities, as he is taken prisoner and comes to grips with his feelings about shooting to kill.
By Genevieve Foster
The story of George Washington told within the larger context of world events during his life, including significant changes based on Enlightenment thinking.
By L. M. Elliott
Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel Dunn is an indentured servant in colonial Virginia but comes under the tutelage of a kind schoolmaster. Patrick Henry's words, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" become the sounding call of the day. Should they join the fight? And what is the meaning of "liberty" in a country reliant on indentured servants and slaves?
By Greg Paulsen
Samuel's family lives on the frontier, but the American Revolution spills into their lives. British & Iroquois attack, and Samuel’s parents are taken prisoners. Samuel is determined to find a way to rescue them, even all the way to the British headquarters in New York City.
Never Caught, the Story of Ona Judge
By Erica Armstrong Dunbar
George Washington sought freedom for himself & his country. Yet he held slaves, & one of them, Ona Judge, risked everything for her own freedom.
The Winter of Red Snow: The Revolutionary War Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart
By Kristiana Gregory
Historical fiction providing a child’s view of the grueling military hardships at Valley Forge.
Cannons at Dawn: The Second Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge
By Kristiana Gregory
Eleven-year-old Abigail's diary vividly portrays the hardships and blessings experienced by soldiers and citizens during the Revolutionary War's pivotal winter at Valley Forge.
By David McCullough
Masterful narrative nonfiction focused entirely on the Revolutionary War's pivotal year.
Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence
By John Ferling
A thorough examination of the American War of Independence, revealing how close the nation came to defeat, highlighting crucial battles, leadership decisions, and the sacrifices of common soldiers.
The Declaration of Independence
By Sam Fink
A beautiful edition featuring the complete text of the Declaration with humorous, patriotic, and clarifying hand-lettering and illustrations to aid young readers.
The Seeds of America Trilogy: Chains, Forge, Ashes
By Laurie Halse Anderson
First two books focus on Revolutionary War period, offering a historically complex view of liberty.
Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence
By Russell Freedman
Traces the political and philosophical tensions that built up in the 1770s, leading to the signing of the Declaration in 1776 and its spread through the new American nation.
King George: What Was His Problem? The Whole Pre-Revolution Story from Tea Party to Independence
By Steve Sheinkin
Witty, focused non-fiction on the causes & beginning of the war, leading to the Declaration.
The Declaration of Independence: A Global History
By David Armitage
A scholarly examination of the Declaration's text and international impact.
The Radicalism of the American Revolution
By Gordon S. Wood
Examines the political and social upheaval of the war era.
The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution
By Bernard Bailyn
A foundational academic work on the philosophical reasoning that led to the Declaration and war.
American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence
By Pauline Maier
A definitive of historical scholarship that meticulously explores the Declaration's drafting, text, and reception by the American people.
The Cause: The American Revolution & its Discontents, 1773-1783
By Joseph J. Ellis
An account of the clashing ideologies of the Revolutionary era, emphasizing the difficult choices & compromises before the Constitutional Convention.
Common Sense and Other Writings
By Thomas Paine
Essential primary-source text that made the case for the Declaration and the subsequent fight.
Suite 305, UVU Fulton Library
800 West University Parkway
Orem, UT 84058
(801) 863-5470
