Are you studying early American history in your homeschool? Round out your study with some of these books about women of the American Revolution.
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It’s common to learn about notable leaders like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson when studying the early years of the United States, but what about the women of the American Revolution?
The Founding Fathers certainly earned their places in American history, but that doesn’t mean women didn’t have a part in gaining independence and the forging of a new nation.
That’s where this list of books about the women of the American Revolution comes into the picture. Some of these book suggestions are perfect for younger kiddos; others are better suited for older kids and tweens.
Children’s Books About the Women of the American Revolution
Regardless of what you’re looking for, you’ll find some great reading options to help your kids learn about the women of the American Revolution.
Before we jump into the reading suggestions, keep in mind that the links in the overviews below all lead to Amazon. If you prefer to support local booksellers through your purchases, see this Bookshop.org list. It has nearly all of these titles, plus several extras not covered here.
1. Great Women of the American Revolution
Focusing on women of the American Revolution as a whole, Great Women of the American Revolution is aimed at older elementary kids and provides a nice overview of the different groups involved in the American Revolution and the women who worked among them to fight for freedom.
2. Independent Dames
Independent Dames is a fun tribute to all the women involved in the American Revolution. It’s an especially nice choice for kids who like graphic novel-style illustrations.
3. Patriots in Petticoats
Landmark Books’ Patriots in Petticoats is a chapter book that takes a topical approach to discussing the women of the American Revolution. It covers writers, daughters of the founding families, women in battle, and more.
4. Martha Washington: America’s First Lady
This book about Martha Washington from the Childhood of Famous of Americans series is a wonderful way to dig in and explore the life of Mrs. George Washington. At nearly 200 pages, this classic biography would be great for reading aloud or independent reading for older elementary and middle school kids.
5. Leave It to Abigail
Leave It to Abigail is a nice picture book option for learning about Abigail Adams. It shares her role in the American Revolution, but also how she used her voice to “remember the ladies” in a time when it wasn’t too common.
Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution is another good option for younger kids. In fact, it’s published as a level 3 reader. That means it’s a good fit for most proficient readers or a quick read aloud for kiddos with short attention spans.
There are several options for older kids learning about America’s second First Lady and possibly the strongest female voice in the American Revolution. Here are a few of them:
6. Phoebe the Spy
Back to Martha Washington, Phoebe the Spy shares the true story of Phoebe Fraunces, the daughter of a free black man who goes undercover as a housekeeper in the Washington home in efforts to stop a would-be assassin and save the president.
7. Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton
Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton is my first suggestion for learning about the life and legacy of Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. This one does a fantastic job sharing her story, but also includes lovely illustrations, historical explanations, and recommended resources for further learning.
For more on Eliza Hamilton, look for Eliza Hamilton: Founding Mother, From a Small Seed, and The Schuyler Sisters. While they’re all quite different, they’re all good for elementary ages and do a good job sharing Eliza’s story.
8. They Called Her Molly Pitcher
Want to explore the life of a Revolutionary War hero that often goes unnoticed? A little out of place with these other books about women of the American Revolution, They Called Her Molly Pitcher is a picture book that tells the story of an American soldier’s wife who made a big difference for the troops around her.
Need to learn about Molly Pitcher with your older kiddos? Look for In Search of Molly Pitcher and Molly Pitcher: Young Patriot. Both are more than more than 160 pages and better suited to upper elementary and middle school ages.
9. Betsy Ross’s Star
Betsy Ross’s Star is a fun way to learn about Betsy Ross and her contributions to the American Revolution. Like others from the Blast to the Past series, this chapter book follows a group of kids who go back in time and experience history firsthand. This time it’s Betsy Ross and the first American flag in the center of their adventures.
In addition to Betsy Ross’s Star, consider Who Was Betsy Ross? and Betsy Ross: Designer of Our Flag. Both are perfect for middle elementary to middle schoolers wanting to learn more about Betsy Ross.
10. Katie’s Trunk
Katie’s Trunk is another picture book that showcases women of the American Revolution, but this one is written from the perspective of a young girl from a Tory family.
11. Sybil’s Night Ride
You’ve heard about the midnight ride of Paul Revere, but are you familiar with Sybil’s Night Ride?
“On the stormy night of April 26, 1777, young Sybil Ludington rode on her horse spreading the word that the British were coming. They had already set fire to the nearby town of Danbury, Connecticut and the glow of the flames had turned the night sky to fiery red. Sybil rode through the countryside to alert the patriots with the cry of ‘Muster at Ludington’s!'”
– Amazon
Worth noting, you’ve got a few other options for learning about Sybil Ludington: Sybil Ludington’s Midnight Ride, Sybil Ludington: Revolutionary War Rider (great for older kids!), and Sybil Ludington Ogden: “Grandmother’s Story.
12. The Winter of Red Snow
The Winter of Red Snow from the Dear America series is a fictionalized account of an eleven year old girl and her life in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, during the height of the Revolutionary War.
While it reads as a diary, it’s probably best for upper elementary kids and tweenagers. That said, it’s a great way to view life through the eyes of a typical girl living through the tumultuous time.
Looking for more books about women who have changed the world? I’ve got lots of great reading suggestions for you here: