Six Questions of American History
Series · 11 books · 2010-2012
Books in series
#1
How Did Slaves Find a Route to Freedom?
And Other Questions about the Underground Railroad
2010
In the early 1800s, many black slaves in the southern states began to risk their lives to gain freedom in the North. They escaped from plantations with no money to buy food and no maps to help them find their way. They could travel only at night. If runaway slaves were caught, they could be beaten to death. Still, many slaves tried to flee. Slave catchers chased them, but the runaways seemed to disappear into thin air―or through a secret underground escape route. So how did slaves escape from their masters? Where did they hide? How did the slaves communicate with each other and the people who were helping them? Discover the facts about the brave men and women who formed the Underground Railroad. Learn how their secret work changed the lives of thousands of slaves.
#2
How Did Tea and Taxes Spark a Revolution?
And Other Questions about the Boston Tea Party
2010
On a cold evening in December 1773, a group of men climbed aboard three ships docked in Boston Harbor. Armed with hatchets, the men began breaking into the ships’ valuable cargo―342 crates of tea. They dumped the tea into the black water of the harbor and then marched back home through the city streets. This “Boston Tea Party” was a bold act of protest by American colonists against British rule. It pushed the colonies and Great Britain a step closer to war. But who were these protestors? Why would they risk angering the powerful British government? And how did the British respond? Discover the facts about the Boston Tea Party and the colonists’ struggle for independent rule.
#3
How Many People Traveled the Oregon Trail?
And Other Questions about the Trail West
2012
In the spring of 1843, nearly one thousand people gathered in Independence, Missouri. They came from all over the eastern United States, and many had to sell most of their possessions to afford the trip. Yet their journey was just beginning. The group set out for Oregon Country, a four- to six-month trek across plains, mountains, valleys, and rivers. Not everyone survived the difficult trip. Still, before the end of the 1800s, many more wagon trains would travel the Oregon Trail to reach what became the western United States.
So why were Americans moving west?
What hardships would they face on the journey?
And who blazed the Oregon Trail?
Discover the facts about this important trail west and how it affected U.S. history.
#4
What Are the Articles of Confederation?
And Other Questions about the Birth of the United States
2012
In June 1776, colonial delegates to the Continental Congress began writing a document to set up a new country―with a government independent from Britain. The Articles of Confederation created a limited centralized government, with states keeping most of the power. After sixteen months of debate, delegates finally passed the Articles on November 15, 1777. But afterward, many conflicts arose. It became clear that the country needed―but also feared―a stronger central government. The states sent delegates to another meeting called the Constitutional Convention, out of which came the U.S. Constitution.
So who attended the Continental Congress?
How did the Articles of Confederation hold the country together during the Revolutionary War?
What was Shay's Rebellion?
Discover the facts about the Articles of Confederation and learn how this document influenced the formation of the U.S. government.
#5
What Difference Could a Waterway Make?
And Other Questions about the Erie Canal
2010
In the early 1800s, many Americans living in the eastern states wanted to explore the western frontier. Vast amounts of land and resources lay to the west―but the Appalachian Mountains formed a huge wall stretching from Canada to Georgia. How could Americans cut through it? Who could create a workable plan? What overwhelming challenges did the workers face? Discover how the Erie Canal opened the passage to the West, bringing people new opportunities for trade and expansion.
#6
What Was the Continental Congress?
And Other Questions about the Declaration of Independence
2010
In September 1774, American colonial leaders gathered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From New Hampshire to Georgia, colonists were angry about the taxes they were forced to pay to Great Britain. But Britain’s King George III and the British government refused to listen to the colonists. Decisionmakers from each American colony held a congress―a formal meeting―to discuss what the colonies should do. Some leaders wanted to make peace with Britain. Others wanted to break free of British rule―even if that meant going to war. In the spring of 1776, the members reached a decision. They wrote, voted on, and issued the Declaration of Independence. This important document announced that the newly united American states were no longer a part of Great Britain.
So why were many colonists against paying taxes to Great Britain?
Who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Why do we celebrate on July 4?
Discover the facts about the Declaration of Independence and learn about its place in American history.
#8
When Did Columbus Arrive in the Americas?
And Other Questions about Columbus's Voyages
2012
In the late 1400s, Christopher Columbus was sure he could find a trade route from Spain to the Far East by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean. On his first voyage, he landed on an island in the Caribbean Sea. He soon realizedn that this was not Asia and returned to Spain for more supplies. Even after three more attempts, Columbus never found a westward route to Asia. But his discoveries forever changed European views of the world and led to settlement in the Americas.
So why did Columbus want a route to the Far East?
How did he get his idea to sail west?
What challenges did he and his crew face?
Discover the facts about Columbus' voyages and how they changed the world.
#12
Who Was Sitting Bull?
And Other Questions about the Battle of Little Bighorn
2010
By the mid-1800s, thousands of white settlers were traveling westward through the Great Plains. Pioneers built farms and ranches, and companies laid railroads and dug mines. But the plains were the homeland and hunting grounds for many Native Americans. To protect their traditional lands, Native American warriors attacked white homes and settlements. The U.S. government tried to keep the peace by promising to keep white settlers and soldiers out of Native American territories. But the government broke its promise in treaty after treaty. The conflict between the U.S. Army and Native American nations peaked in 1876 in Montana at the Battle of Little Bighorn―the last great battle of the American West. So what Native American groups were involved in the battle? Who led the U.S. soldiers? How did the battle change life for Native Americans living on the Great Plains? Discover the facts about the Battle of Little Bighorn and learn more about the westward expansion of the United States.
#13
Who Was William Penn?
And Other Questions about the Founding of Pennsylvania
2012
William Penn was only twenty-two years old the first time he went to prison. He had attended a meeting of the Quakers, people who practiced a religion forbidden in Britain during the 1600s. Despite the dangers, Penn became a Quaker leader, and he dreamed of a place where people could freely practice religion. Britain's king later gave Penn one of the British colonies in North America. In Pennsylvannia, Penn organized a new kind of government―a place where people had individual rights, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
So why was the Quaker religion forbidden?
How did William Penn get so much land from the king?
What was Penn’s "holy experiment"?
Discover the facts about the beginnings of Pennsylvania and learn about its importance to what later became the U.S. government.
#16
Why Did Cherokees Move West?
And Other Questions about the Trail of Tears
2010
On May 26, 1838, U.S. soldiers surrounded Cherokee villages across Georgia. The soldiers came to force Cherokee families to move to a new territory in Oklahoma. The Cherokees had little time to gather their belongings before being herded into camps. From there, 13,000 were forced on the thousand-mile journey to Oklahoma. They had little food and no shelter from the weather. Many―especially children―grew sick and died. The forced march became known as nunna-dual-tsuny ―the Trail of Tears.
#18
Why Did the Pilgrims Come to the New World?
And Other Questions about the Plymouth Colony
2010
In December 1620, a group of English settlers stepped out of their boats and climbed up the shore to a point overlooking a small harbor. Known as the Pilgrims, they had traveled far on the Mayflower . Behind them was the vast Atlantic Ocean. Before them was the wilderness of North America. They called their new home the Plymouth Colony. But who were the Pilgrims? Why had they left England? And what lay ahead for them over the long winter in Plymouth? Discover the facts about the Pilgrims and their struggle to build a colony in the New World.
Authors
Linda Gondosch
Author · 3 books
I was born in West Virginia, but grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. The neighborhood kids met on my front porch where we held The Triple S Club. One "S" stood for Sewing. One "S" was for Stamp collecting. Of course, the best "S" was for Story writing. We wrote anything we wanted and read our stories aloud. It was great practice for a future teacher/writer! After my children were born, I spent happy times reading picture books to them. One day I thought, "I'm sure I can write a picture book myself." It turned out to be harder than I thought, but I kept at it after receiving an editor's letter stating "We are holding your story for possible future publication." I was hooked! I spent several years teaching in high school and college and substitute teaching in elementary school. Teaching was fun, but I always returned to writing. My second book, Who Needs a Bratty Brother? won the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, a children's choice. If you write, do not give up. Write what you are passionate about and read as much as you can. If you read, you are a fortunate person indeed. You've got the world at your fingertips.
Judith Pinkerton Josephson
Author · 2 books
In my writing career, I have published numerous magazine, newspaper, and journal articles and over twenty books spanning varied genres—including biographies, childhood history books, and picture books for children; two zany grammar guides for folks needing a refresher; and a historical fiction novel. I write books and stories for children and some for adults. I’ve written biographies on diverse people, such as track and field legend Jesse Owens, detective Allan Pinkerton, poet Nikki Giovanni, musician Louis Armstrong, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, and labor activist Mother Jones. One of the things I love about writing biographies is the chance to shine a spotlight on fascinating people. Sometimes they are more interesting than anyone I could invent. Especially interesting to me are those who overcome challenges and provide positive role models for children. In my books on childhood history (the Our America series), I explored what children were doing during various eras in history—using children’s diaries, memoirs, photographs, songs, games, and more. As a co-author with Edith Fine, we wrote two humorous grammar guides and a picture book, Armando and the Blue Tarp School, nominated for the 2009-2010 California Young Reader medal and chosen for One Book San Diego. When I am not scrutinizing words, I enjoy writing poetry, playing my violin, reading, swimming, snorkeling, walking, and spending time with my family. For more about me, visit www.judithjosephson.com, www.grammarpatrol.com, and www.bluetarpschool.com
Marty Rhodes Figley
Author · 7 books
I have fond memories of summer visits to my grandparents in Hannibal, Missouri. Grandma and Grandpa Priests' grocery store featured a candy case chock full of wax lips, licorice sticks and jawbreakers. Grandma and Grandpa Rhodes' farm delighted me with cute, baby calves and garden-fresh corn on the cob. I love to write about ordinary children experiencing exciting events in our country's history. I hope that when young readers finish one of my books they realize that history is much more than facts and dates. It's filled with children's hopes and dreams.
