25 Kids Who Changed American History: Short, Inspiring Biographies with Illustrations and Discussion Guides for Young Readers

by N.H. Greenwood

Inspire today’s kids to be tomorrow’s heroes. Discover 25 historic kids who boldly shaped their lives—and American history!

Author Update — August 2025: Many thanks to early Goodreads and other readers whose feedback helped strengthen this book—this update clarifies details about the Salem witch trials and removes a duplicated paragraph. Thank you…

Want your kids to understand their big potential by reading about other real-life kids? Looking for fun, easy ways to talk about history and to get your children or students excited to learn more? How about modern tales that show the timeless power of courage, hard work, loyalty, and even apologizing?

These heroic true stories can help encourage young readers to find their passions and make history too.

Here’s how this book is designed for curious kids:
• short, fun, easy-to-read biographies of real kids who made a difference
• vivid illustrations and engaging discussion guides bring history to life
• project ideas and thought-provoking questions for families and classrooms: what three items would you bring on a cross-country move?

An ideal companion for any school or home curriculum with stories from the 1600s, 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s. Learn how...
• a 13-year-old girl became the first Pilgrim to go ashore at Plymouth
• an 11-year-old boy invented a world-famous treat—by accident!
• a farm boy’s wild idea changed American culture forever

Educational. Fact-filled bios explore key historical contexts about the Colonies, Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Civil Rights, and more.

Approachable. Kids are busier than ever these days, but the beauty of this book is that it is NOT a cover-to-cover commitment. Each chapter stands alone—bite-sized for bedtime, road trips, or anytime!

Engaging. Unlike dustier history books, this one will engage because kids can relate to other kids! These young leaders, inventors, and trailblazers proved that age doesn’t limit impact.

Something for everyone, featuring both boys and girls from all backgrounds, regions, and interests—athletes to activists, musicians to military—each story can excite and motivate.

Written with love by an Ivy League history graduate, lawyer, and parent of three.

Add this book to your shelf to give your kids, grandkids, or students
• inspiration to find their passions
• joy in learning
• courage to shape their futures...
Thank you for reading!

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2025

About the author

Growing up in an 18th-century home that predated local title records, N. H. Greenwood developed a deep appreciation for history from an early age. That affection grew during a cross-country bicycle journey across America, witnessing firsthand how the nation's historical narratives evolve from coast to coast.

Now with three children, Greenwood aims to help young readers find themselves in history, with the broader goal of encouraging young people to identify their passions and pursue their dreams.

N.H. Greenwood has a history degree and a background in law and journalism.

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that intrigued me given the fact of its nature and as a result I chose I had to read it out of curiosity.

When I first opened 25 Kids Who Changed American History I was actually surprised to see Ann Putnam included. But I chose to press on anyway to see who else may be included.

Before getting too much in I just want to make a note that although it may be surprising to the author amd other readers that most of these were teenagers I would have to say it shouldn't as they most surely not only had harder lives but were also required to grow up a lot quicker than generations do now. But in the tradeoff the world was much younger in many ways so that it also didn't take too much to actually also make a name for yourself whether for good or bad.

Now off my soap box, the book does a great job in providing as the title mentions brief biographies with each entry being dedicated to one individual or groups or individuals with their name as the chapter title followed by their dates. There is a sub-title that provides the importance of that person followed by a small introduction than the biography.

For those who may want to use this as a historical book or supplement to their learning plans, there are also included at the end of each chapter a Discussion Guide with review and discussion questions as well as project ideas for the truly dedicated.

Readers will also find a very indepth glossary at the end that also provides more insight not only into words but also into historical events and some of the other people mentioned in the book.

My reasoning for the lower star rating, though, is since there is incorrect information for the Salem witch trials, which is messy since that is a common and very well-known subject to make such a mistake. And secondly towards the end of the book we get to be more lax about the kids who changed American History. Finally and not quite as influential for the rating is the fact a paragraph was repeated twice on page 28.

Otherwise the book was interesting and one that is still well worth the read for those who want to learn American history but from a different perspective.

***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my daughters, 3rd grade and 5th grade, and love the episodic and inspiring stories of some lesser-known American figures that made enormous impacts before they were 18 years old. The stories have vivid details that captivated us thoroughly -- each short character sketch weaves the story of approachable and relatable kids during different periods of American history that demonstrate valuable lessons. The stories also subtly (but importantly!) share a view into America's past to build historical context, perspective and familiarity across various periods of history. The stories of Sybil Ludington and Frank Epperson both stand out in my mind because they're everyday kids from different moments in history that took their normal daily routines and responsibilities a step further to make history. They were perfect stories to stir my girls imaginations and think about ways they can make a bigger impact in the world around them. Discussion questions are perfect for reviewing the impact of each person, and they are appropriate for a very wide age of readers. Love this book as a way to get my kids interested in history!

[patricia hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids changing the world

I wanted my kids to see that they matter and can use there mind and make anything possible and they could invent anything they put there mind to. My kids love making new things and them seeing that there are kids that have invented popsicles, the phone and so much more make them more interested in making a difference.