Literature Links

VS.1

Cocke, William. A Historic Album of Virginia. Brookfield: The Mellbrook Press, 1995.

A history of Virginia from its early exploration and settlement to today is presented in this book about the Commonwealth.

Sirvaitis, Karen. Virginia: Hello U.S.A. Minneapolis: Lerner Publication, 2002.

An introduction to the land, history, people, and environment of Virginia is covered in this book of photographs and information about Virginia.

VS.2

Fradin, Dennis B. From Sea to Shining Sea: Virginia. Chicago: Children’s Press, 1993.

This richly illustrated book is an introduction to the history and geography of Virginia. The regions of Virginia are presented in great detail in this book.

Petty, Kate and Jennie Maizels. The Amazing Pop-Up Geography Book. Dutton, 2000.

This geography book pops up, spins, and reveals the world’s secrets in all its three-dimensional glory. Geographic features of Virginia can be reviewed in this engaging book.

VS.3

Bulla, Clyde. A Lion to Guard Us. Harper Trophy, Reissue edition (1989).

Left on their own in London, three young children draw upon all of their resources to stay together and make their way to Jamestown in the Virginia Colony in search of their father. This historical fiction is an adventure of overcoming struggle and working together to survive.

Coleman, Brooke.The Colony of Virginia (The Thirteen Colonies and the Lost Colony Series). Powerkids Press, 2000.

This book is an introduction to important people, events, and economic conditions in the early years of the Virginia Colony.

Hermes, Patricia. Our Strange New Land: Elizabeth’s Diary, Jamestown, Virginia, 1609. New York:Scholastic Trade, 2000.

Historical events in a fictional setting are recounted in the journal that young Elizabeth keeps as she begins her new life in the Jamestown Settlement.

January, Brendan. The Jamestown Colony (We the People). Compass Point Books, 2000.

This book about early Jamestown provides teachers and students with more details about the history of the colony. A variety of maps are included within the text.

McDaniel, Melissa. Pocahontas’s People:The Powhatan Indians of Virginia Through Four Centuries. University of Oklahoma Press, 1996.

This is a chronology of the Powhatan Indians that provides background information for both teachers and students.

Mello, Tara Baukus. John Smith: English Explorer and Colonist (Colonial Leaders). Chelsea House Publishers, 2000.

This is a biography of John Smith and the role he played in the early Virginia colony.  The book provides much additional information about Jamestown.

O'Dell, Scott. The Serpent Never Sleeps: a Novel of Jamestown and Pocahontas. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1987.

In the early seventeenth century, Serena Lynn, determined to be with the man she has loved since childhood, travels to the New World and comes to know the hardships of colonial life and the extraordinary Princess Pocahontas.

Sakurai, Gail. The Jamestown Colony. Children’s Press, 1997.

This detailed book provides a wealth of information and illustrations about everyday life in early Jamestown and the hardships the colonists endured.

Sewell, Marcia. James Town: Struggle for Survival. Antheneum Publishers, 2001.

Life in early Jamestown was difficult for the gentlemen of England as portrayed in this watercolor-and-ink illustrated book that is told from the point of view of a Jamestown settler.

Stanley, Melanie. John Smith (Just in Time Biography Series). Foxhound Publishers, 2000.

This book is an easy biography about Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, and the Jamestown Colony. Time lines and other resources are included in the book.

VS.4

Brenner, Barbara. If You Lived in Williamsburg in Colonial Days. New York: Scholastic, 2000.

If you lived in Colonial Williamsburg more than 200 years ago, what would your house look like? What sports and games would you play? This book tells what it was like to live in Williamsburg during colonial times.

Kalman, Bobbie. A Colonial Town: Williamsburg (The Historic Communities Series). Crabtree Publishers, 1992.

This book takes the reader back in time to Colonial Williamsburg and describes historical buildings, events, and people.

Nixon, Joan. Ann’s Story: 1747 (Young Americans: Colonial Williamsburg). Delacorte Press, 2000.

Ann McKenzie lives in Williamsburg with family and friends and recounts her life as a nine year old growing up in a busy household.

Nixon, Joan. John’s Story: 1775 (Young Americans: Colonial Williamsburg). Delacorte Press, 2000.

Set in 1775, eleven-year-old John Nicholas tells about his life in Colonial Williamsburg at the time when England and the colonists are disagreeing on many issues.

Tripp, Valerie. Meet Felicity: an American Girl. Pleasant Co., 1991.

In Williamsburg in 1774, nine-year-old Felicity rescues a beautiful horse that is being beaten and starved by her cruel owner.

Changes for Felicity: a Winter Story, Pleasant Co., 1992.

The outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775 brings drastic changes to Felicity's life in Williamsburg, affecting both her family and her friendship with Elizabeth.

Waters, Kate. Mary Geddy's Day. New York: Scholastic Press, 1999.

Mary Geddy, a ten-year-old in Williamsburg in 1776, is excited about the colony of Virginia's vote for independence, but sad that her best friend, whose father is loyal to the crown, will be moving back to England.

VS.5

Brenner, Barbara. If You Were There in 1776. Simon & Schuster, 1994.

This book recounts what was happening in the colonies in 1776 describing both the people and events of both the Old World and the New World.

Curtis, Alice Turner. Little Maid of Virginia. Applewood, 1998.

Rose Elinor Moore was eleven when her cousin Mary Lou Abbott came to visit her at her home near Yorktown, Virginia, in the spring of 1781 during the Revolutionary War. They had many adventures together and even witnessed Cornwallis's surrender.

Freedman, Russell. Give Me Liberty!: The Story of the Declaration of Independence. Holiday House, 2000.

This informational book is about the events leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and includes snapshots into the lives of Virginians who were there.

Fritz, Jean. Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?. Paper Star Publisher, 1997.

The biography of George the Third, King of Britain, at the time of the American Revolution is presented in this non-fiction novel.

An interesting biography of Patrick Henry tracing his life from planter to statesman of Virginia is covered in this book filled with all sorts of information about his life.

McGovern, Ann. If You Lived During Colonial Times. Scholastic Trade, 1964.

If you lived during colonial times, what kind of clothes would you wear? Would you go to school? What would happen if you didn’t behave? This book will answer questions that students might have about this time period.

Olasky, Susan. Annie Henry and the Birth of Liberty. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1995.

In 1775 in Virginia, Patrick Henry's ten-year-old daughter Annie, tries to concentrate on her day-to-day activities but is increasingly caught up in her father's role in the colonists' growing unrest.

(Adventures of the American Revolution Series)

Olasky, Susan. Annie Henry and the Mysterious Stranger. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1996.

Ten-year-old Annie Henry encounters conflicting values during the year she lives with her father in the Governor's Mansion in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Olasky, Susan. Annie Henry and the Redcoats. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1996.

In 1789, the year Annie Henry turns sixteen, her family moves to Leatherwood on the Virginia frontier and she ends up in Richmond, where she gets a close look at the Revolutionary War.

VS.6

Armstrong, Jennifer. Thomas Jefferson: Letters from a Philadelphia Bookworm. Winslow Press, 2000.

Amelia Horsby is a twelve-year-old schoolgirl who lives in Philadelphia in 1803 when she begins writing letters to President Thomas Jefferson. Her letters reveals what life may have been like for a young girl growing up in the early 1800s.

Fritz, Jean. The Great Little Madison. Putnam Pub Group, 1989.

Jean Fritz writes an interesting and humorous biography of the Virginian who became the fourth president of the United States.

Fritz, Jean. Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution. Paper Star, 1998.

This historical non-fiction helps students understand the writing of the Constitution and provides abundant background information.

Heilbroner, Joan. Meet George Washington. Random House, 2001.

This book tells how young George Washington became involved in the country’s struggle for independence and gives insight into all that was going in the early years of Virginia.

Kelley, Brent P. James Madison : Father of the Constitution (Revolutionary War Leaders). Chelsea House, 2000.

Through this biography, the reader learns about the life of James Madison and his contributions to the early colony of Virginia.

Richards, Norman. Monticello (Cornerstones of Freedom). Children’s Press, 1995.

Learn about Monticello, the home of our third president, in this richly illustrated book that also reveals much about the person who lived there.

Welsbacher, Anne. George Washington (United States Presidents). Checkerboard Library Publishing, 1998.

This book is a simple biography about the man who became the first president of the United States and is called the “Father of our Country.”

Woodruff, Elvira. George Washington’s Socks. Apple Publishing, Reprint edition (1993).

This engaging historical fiction book describes the people, places, and events surrounding the Revolutionary War and creates a very real picture of history during this time period.

VS.7

Bains, Rae. Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom. Troll Communications, 1990.

This easy biography tells about the life of Harriet Tubman as she overcame obstacles to achieve her plan to help free the slaves.

Beatty, Patricia & Phillip Robbins. Eben Tyne, Powdermonkey. New York: Morrow, 1990.

A thirteen-year-old powdermonkey in the Confederate Navy joins the crew of the ironclad Merrimack in a mission to break the Union blockade of Norfolk harbor.

Denenberg, Barry. When Will This Cruel War Be Over: The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson. New York: Scholastic, 1996.

The diary of a fictional fourteen-year-old girl living in Gordonsville, Virginia, in which she describes the hardships endured by her family and friends during one year of the Civil War.

Fritz, Jean & Stephen Gammell. Stonewall. Putnam Publishing Group, 1979.

A novel about Stonewall Jackson’s life that provides interesting background information about this Civil War personality.

Grabowski, Patricia. Robert E. Lee: Confederate General . Chelsea House, 2001.

In this biography, the reader learns about the early life of Robert E. Lee and how he became the leader of the armies of the Confederacy.

Hopkinson, Deborah & Ransome James. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. Random House, 1995.

The story of a young girl named Clara reveals much to the reader about life as a slave and her efforts to make it to freedom by route of the Underground Railroad.

Johnson, Nancy. My Brother's Keeper: A Civil War Story . Camden: Down East Books, 1997.

As a young orphaned drummer boy in the Civil War, Josh Parrish joins the 20th Maine in time to be caught up in the battle for Little Round Top. The war takes him to the battlefields of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and Appomattox.

McGovern, Ann. If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln. Scholastic Trade, 1976.

If you grew up with Abraham Lincoln would you have to work hard? What would your school be like? Find answers to these and many other questions in this book about Abraham Lincoln.

McKissack, Patricia. A Picture of Freedom: The Diary of Clotee, a Slave Girl. New York: Scholastic, 1997.

In 1859 twelve-year-old Clotee, a house slave on Belmont Plantation in Virginia who must conceal the fact that she can read and write, records in her diary her experiences and her struggle to decide whether to escape to freedom.

(Dear America Series)

Steel, Christy & Kerry Graves. A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War: The Diary of Charlotte Forten. Blue Earth Books, 1854.

This is an excellent book that depicts historical facts through the eyes of an African American female in the 1850’s. It is written in a diary format.

VS.8

Fradin, Dennis B. From Sea to Shining Sea: Virginia . Chicago: Children’s Press, 1993.

While this book covers all of Virginia history, it also gives background information to the young reader about life in Virginia after the Civil War.

January, Brendan. John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry (Cornerstones of Freedom). Children’s Press,2000.

This book provides historical background information to the reader about the events that lead to the raid on Harpers Ferry.

McGovern, Ann. If You Grew Up With Abraham Lincoln. Scholastic Trade, 1976.

If you grew up with Abraham Lincoln would you have to work hard? What would your school be like? Find answers to these and many other questions in this book about Abraham Lincoln.

VS.9

Branch, Muriel & Dorothy Marie Rice. Pennies to Dollars: The Story of Maggie Lena Walker. Linnet Books, 1997.

A biography of a famous African American business woman who founded a bank. She was born to slave parents in Richmond, Virginia.

Fradin, Dennis B. From Sea to Shining Sea: Virginia . Chicago: Children’s Press, 1993.

This richly illustrated book is an introduction to the history and geography of Virginia.

Hall, Barbara. Dixie Storms. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990.

Fourteen-year-old Dutch Peyton who has spent her entire life in the small farming town of Marston, Virginia, learns about growing up as her family struggles with a crippling drought and a painful past.

Henry, Marguerite. Misty of Chincoteague. New York: Macmillan, 1947.

Two youngsters' determination to own a Chincoteague pony is greatly increased when the Phantom and her colt are among those rounded up for the yearly auction.

Lazo, Caroline. Arthur Ashe (A&E Biographies). Lerner Publications, 1998

The first black man to win all the major tennis tournaments of the world lived in Richmond, Virginia, and helped to create many opportunities for black athletes.

Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Crowell, 1977.

The life of a ten-year-old boy in rural Virginia expands when he becomes friends with a newcomer who subsequently befriends his cousin and together they find the strength to face the terrible losses and fears in their lives.

Paterson, Katherine. Flip-Flop Girl. New York: Lodestar, 1994.

Uprooted following the death of their father, nine-year-old Vinnie and her five-year old brother, Mason, cope in different ways-one in silence-but both with the help of Lupe, the flip-flop girl as they live with their Grandma in Brownsville, Virginia.

Paterson, Katherine. Jacob Have I Loved. New York: Crowell, 1980.

Growing up on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island in the early 1940s, angry Louise reveals how Caroline robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name.

Paterson, Katherine. Park's Quest. New York: Puffin, 1988.

Eleven-year-old Park makes some startling discoveries when he travels to his grandfather's farm in Virginia to learn about his father who died in the Vietnam War.

Reeder, Carolyn. Grandpa's Mountain. New York: Avon, 1991.

During the Depression, eleven-year-old Carrie makes her annual summer visit to her relatives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and watches her determined grandfather fight against the government's attempt to take his farm land for a new national park.

Rylant, Cynthia. The Blue Hill Meadows. Harcourt Brace, 1997.

Tells the story of the Meadows family and the life they lead in the quiet country town of Blue Hill, Virginia.

Warner, Getrude Chandler. (Creator)The Mystery at Peacock Hill. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Co., 1998.

Determined to help their cousin Althea keep her beautiful home near Charlottesville, Virginia, the Alden children go in search of the mysterious treasure rumored to be hidden there and find many more mysteries to solve. (The Boxcar Children, 63)

White, Ruth.Belle Prater's Boy. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1996.

When Woodrow's mother suddenly disappears, he moves to his grandparents' home in a small Virginia town where he befriends his cousin and together they find the strength to face the terrible losses and fears in their town.

White, Ruth. Sweet Creek Holler. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1992.

This story recounts six years of Ginny's life, from 1948 to 1954, in a small town in Appalachia. The book gives background information about this area of Virginia during the 1950s.

Wiles, Deborah & Jerome Lagarrigue. Freedom Summer. Atheneum, 2001.

Two friends, one black and one white, in the South during the 1960’s wait until the town pool will open to all after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They anxiously wait the day when it comes only to find the pool closed and being filled with asphalt. The story illustrates Jim Crow laws and defiance of the Civil Rights Act.

VS.10

Fradin, Dennis B. From Sea to Shining Sea: Virginia. Chicago: Children’s Press, 1993.

This richly illustrated book is an introduction to the history and geography of Virginia. The regions of Virginia are presented in great detail in this book.

McAuliffe, Bill. Virginia-Facts and Symbols. Bridgestone Books, 1999.

Information about the motto, nickname, places to visit, Web sites, and history coverage from past to present are covered in this book about Virginia.

Sirvaitis, Karen. Virginia: Hello U.S.A. Minneapolis: Lerner Publication, 2002.

An introduction to the land, history, people, and environment of Virginia is covered in this book of photographs and information about Virginia.