A History of US: Book Two:

Making Thirteen Colonies (1600-1740)

(History of Us, 2)

Written by: Joy Hakim
Pages: 182

All kinds of people are coming to America. If you’re European, you come in search of freedom or riches. If you’re African, you come in chains. And what about the Indians, what is happening to them? Soon with the influx of so many people, thirteen unique colonies are born, each with its own story. Meet Pocahontas and John Smith in Jamestown. Join William Penn and the Quakers in Pennsylvania. Sit with the judges at the Salem witch trials. Hike over the mountains with Daniel Boone. And let Ben Franklin give you some salty advice in his Poor Richard’s Almanac in this remarkable journey through the dynamic creation of what one day becomes the United States.

I know it seems like I read a lot of fiction, so I thought I’d share the book we recently finished for school.  As I mentioned last month, we’re taking a different angle with school this year. This fall semester, it’s All About America.

Trying to find a good spine that gives a broad overview of American history sounds daunting. This country’s 50 states each lay claim to rich histories that when woven together create the beautiful tapestry of our national history.

We’re more than just The Revolutionary War and The Civil War. There’s more than just the Oregon Trail.

Joy Hakim’s 10-book series, “The History of Us”, really takes a broad look at our nation’s background. She finds a way to break things up at just the right point in history, weave the history across the continent together in a rational way, and drop in creative ways to teach the lesson. It is an easy read in that she writes it well and she tries to find relatable examples.

In fact, it’s almost too easy. Instead of reading boring, dry facts that makes you want to claw your eyes out with a rusty spork, you fly through the brief chapters and yet your brain gorges on good historical data.

This installment centers around Colonial America. The explanations of world events combined with showing you the connecting dots of history really aids in putting things in perspective.

Who said history should be boring?

I enjoyed a brush up on Jefferson, Franklin, Black Beard, John Smith, Daniel Boone, and other great adventurers of the time. I feel a little more connected between US and European history.

All in all, good read. It’s also fun to read aloud.

Even if you aren’t homeschooling, this is a fantastic resource for a student studying American History. Something to think about if your tween/teen needs some help in history/civics.

–Lady O