PBS America250 Reading List

Stories That Shaped A Nation

PBS Books has curated a literary journey that celebrates the path to American freedom and commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  This special reading list brings together compelling titles across three distinct genres—nonfiction, historical fiction, and children’s literature—to illuminate the courage, complexity, and conviction behind America’s founding.

Nonfiction

“Dive into meticulously researched works that provide powerful insights into the Revolution and the broader context of American independence that are written in a novelist style. These books reveal untold stories and broaden our understanding of the era—from George Washington’s leadership and the complexities of Indigenous and African American experiences, to the moral struggles that defined the fight for liberty.”

You Never Forget Your First by Alexis Coe
Poor Richard’s Women by Nancy Rubin Stuart
Liberty Is Sweet by Woody Holton
Independence by John Ferling
Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts
Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution by Claire Bellerjeau, Tiffany Yecke Brooks, and Vanessa Williams
American Inheritance by Edward J. Larson
1776 by David McCullough
Founding Mothers and Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts
African Founders by David Hackett Fischer
The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson
The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff
Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick
The British Are Coming by Rick Atkinson
The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson
The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk
Independence Lost by Kathleen DuVal

Historical Fiction

“Experience the era of revolution through the eyes of unforgettable characters brought to life by gifted storytellers. These novels blend fact with fiction, immersing readers in personal dramas set against the backdrop of historical transformation. Whether following the bold disguise of a woman soldier or the trials of Eliza Hamilton, these stories add human depth to our nation’s founding.”

A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
The Traitor’s Wife by Allison Pataki
America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

Children’s Books

“Inspire the next generation with accessible, engaging, and age-appropriate books that bring the American Revolution to life. These titles are packed with colorful illustrations, fascinating facts, and heroic figures—from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to the everyday kids and families who shaped history.”

Seeds of America Trilogy by Laurie Halse
History Smashers: The American Revolution by Kate Messner
Guts & Glory: The American Revolution by Ben Thompson
Washington, Adams, and Jefferson by C.A. Worman
Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson
The History of the American Revolution by Emma Carlson Berne

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