American History

The Story of America is Saddleback's collection of American history books for striving readers in middle and high school. Built to share the stories and voices of the diverse peoples who shaped the nation, the collection gives students the same historical depth as their peers, exploring both well-known and historically underrepresented perspectives on the events that shaped American society.

The Story of America Complete Library

The Story of America Complete Library covers the full sweep of American history, from the earliest days of the land that would become the United States through 2022, in one purchase. It combines both boxed sets into a single order for schools that want the full supplemental library at once.

The Story of America Complete Library: Through 2022  

Complete Library: Through 2022

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL380L to HL600L

The Story of America Boxed Set 1 & Boxed Set 2

The Story of America is organized into two time periods. Boxed Set 1 covers the earliest days of the land that would become the United States through the end of the Civil War, and Boxed Set 2 spans Reconstruction through 2022. Each boxed set includes six nonfiction handbooks paired with five historical fiction books apiece, so students explore the same era through a factual account and through the eyes of someone who lived it, with a nonfiction backstory section following every fiction title.

The Story of America Box Set 1: Through 1866  

Box Set 1: Through 1866

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL380L to HL570L

The Story of America Box Set 2: 1866–2022  

Box Set 2: 1866–2022

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL400L to HL600L

The Story of America Instructional Support Guides

The Story of America Instructional Support guides, one for each time period, give teachers comprehensive material for deeper-level thinking, discussion, and classroom collaboration, including a "Big Ideas to Ponder" feature that draws out the major themes of each era.

The Story of America Instructional Support: Through 1866  

Instructional Support: Through 1866

The Story of America Instructional Support: 1866–2022  

Instructional Support: 1866–2022

The Story of America Card Sets

Three sets of cards support The Story of America library, each available for both time periods. Vocabulary Cards reinforce key glossary terms from the handbooks and fiction, Timeline Cards cover the significant events that shaped each era, and People Cards highlight the individuals and groups who shaped our history. All three support quick individual or partner practice alongside the boxed sets.

The Story of America Vocabulary Cards: Through 1866  

Vocabulary Cards: Through 1866

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL380L to HL570L

The Story of America Vocabulary Cards: 1866–2022  

Vocabulary Cards: 1866–2022

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL400L to HL600L

The Story of America Timeline Cards: Through 1866  

Timeline Cards: Through 1866

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL380L to HL570L

The Story of America Timeline Cards: 1866–2022  

Timeline Cards: 1866–2022

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL400L to HL600L

The Story of America People Cards: Through 1866  

People Cards: Through 1866

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL380L to HL570L

The Story of America People Cards: 1866–2022  

People Cards: 1866–2022

Grades: 6 to 12
Reading Level: 3.0 to 4.5
Lexile: HL400L to HL600L

Why Hi-Lo History Books Work for Striving Readers

Hi-Lo doesn't mean simplified history; it means high-interest content at an accessible reading level, so striving readers get the same depth of subject matter as their peers without the text itself being the barrier. [Read more about why hi-lo texts aren't "dumbed down."]

Choosing the Right Story of America Set

The Complete Library covers the full span through 2022 in one purchase. If you're building out a curriculum in stages, Boxed Set 1 (through 1866) and Boxed Set 2 (1866-2022) let you split the purchase by era. Instructional Support guides are available for both eras and are built to accompany either boxed set with lesson-ready material.