The Story of America is a unique collection of history books designed for striving middle and high school readers. Each nonfiction handbook is paired with a historical fiction book that includes its own nonfiction backstory sections. This collection was created with much thought and consideration for the diverse peoples, cultures, and groups that built our history. This library aims to share the stories and voices of those who helped create our nation, from its early days to today. To give students opportunities to read about and learn from diverse points of view, we have focused on exploring a variety of perspectives throughout history.
This library is organized into two time periods. The first covers the very early days in the land that would become the United States through the end of the Civil War, and the second spans Reconstruction through 2022. For each time period, there are six nonfiction handbooks. These highlight key events during a specific span of time while weaving in both well-known and historically underrepresented perspectives. Five historical fiction books accompany each nonfiction handbook. Each fiction book explores a moment in history from the point of view of someone who lived through it. Following the fictional account, a nonfiction section is provided to help readers understand the historical context in which the story takes place.
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.
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Complete Library: Through 2022Grades: 6 to 12 |
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.
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Box Set 1: Through 1866Grades: 6 to 12 |
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Box Set 2: 1866–2022Grades: 6 to 12 |
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.
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Instructional Support: Through 1866
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Instructional Support: 1866–2022
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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.
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Vocabulary Cards: Through 1866Grades: 6 to 12 |
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Vocabulary Cards: 1866–2022Grades: 6 to 12 |
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Timeline Cards: Through 1866Grades: 6 to 12 |
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Timeline Cards: 1866–2022Grades: 6 to 12 |
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People Cards: Through 1866Grades: 6 to 12 |
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People Cards: 1866–2022Grades: 6 to 12 |
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."]
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.
