About the series

About the series

Are you wondering what could possibly be exciting about another series on America's past? Well, for starters, these books are full of funny, exciting and challenging stories. Remember, history doesn't have to be dull and lifeless, it's just usually written that way.

Awards

Winner of the James A. Michener Prize in Writing, granted by the National Council for the Social Studies

Winner of the 1999 Parents' Choice Award for Reference Books. These awards are given to excellent products that are designed to entertain and help children develop universally ethical attitudes, and rigorous standards and skills. Winning products are highly prized for production and human values.

Leading educational reformers have recognized A History of US as one of the best ways to teach history and critical reading to upper elementary and middle school students. The Johns Hopkins Center for Social Research, The Core Knowledge Foundation, The Galef Institute, and the School Future Foundation have all selected A History of US for their American history curricula.

Journey into the past

Did you ever wonder what life in this country was like for your grandparents... or great grandparents?

Has a trip to another city or state ever left you curious about its origins? Have you ever found something really ancient in your basement or your attic that got your mind racing? Why not start searching for answers in A History of US? Because if you thought you'd never hear "fun" and "history" in the same sentence, you're in for a rude awakening.

If you've seen one textbook you've seen them all: hardcovers so massive you're lucky if your students even get them home let alone read an assigned chapter. But your days of trying in vain to convince kids that history isn't boring are over"they'll actually look forward to reading A History of US.

Looking for a creative way to teach United States history?

We've compiled a short list of great living history museums across the continental U.S. that would make for entertaining field trips:

• Remick Country Doctor's Museum, NH
• Mystic Seaport, CT
• Erie Canal Museum, NY
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum, NYC
• Steamtown, PA
• Hagley Museum, DE
• St. Mary's City, MD
• Old Salem, NC
• Westville Village, GA
• Greenfield Village, MI
• Living History Farms, IA
• Watkins Woolen Mill, MO
• Dallas Old City Park, TX
• Workman & Temple Family Homestead Museum, CA
• El Rancho de las Golondrinas, NM

History comes alive whether you're teaching a unit on transportation, industrialization, urban life, prairie life or wildlife.