A History of US: Ten-Volume Set

A History of US #1-10

by Joy Hakim

Recommended by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy as an exemplary informational text.

Whether it's standing on the podium in Seneca Falls with the Suffragettes or riding on the first subway car beneath New York City in 1907, the books in Joy Hakim's A History of US series weave together exciting stories that bring American history to life. Readers may want to start with War, Terrible War , the tragic and bloody account of the Civil War that has been hailed by critics as magnificent. Or All the People , brought fully up-to-date in this new edition with a thoughtful and engaging examination of our world after September 11th. No matter which book they read, young people will never think of American history as boring again. Joy Hakim's single, clear voice offers continuity and narrative drama as she shares with a young audience her love of and fascination with the people of the past. This series is also available in an 11-volume set containing the same revisions and updates to all ten main volumes plus the Sourcebook and Index volume.

About the
Master storyteller Joy Hakim has excited millions of young minds with the great drama of American history in her award-winning series A History of US. Recommended by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy as an exemplary informational text, A History of US weaves together exciting stories that bring American history to life. Hailed by reviewers, historians, educators, and parents for its exciting, thought-provoking narrative, the books have been recognized as a break-through tool in teaching history and critical reading skills to young people. In ten books that span from Prehistory to the 21st century, young people will never think of American history as boring again.

Genres: History, Education, Historical, Nonfiction, American History

Hardcover

First published November 21, 1996

About the author

I've just updated A HISTORY OF US to include some new stories, especially those on people who haven't had their full story told, like Native Americans and African Americans. I've been astounded by some of what I've learned, I think you will be too.


My husband and I live most of the year in Colorado. I grew up in Rutland, Vermont and graduated from Rutland High School. I earned a bachelor's degree in government at Smith College, a master's degree in education from Goucher College, as well as an honorary doctorate from Goucher.

I've been a teacher: in Syracuse, New York; Omaha, Nebraska; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. And I've taught in elementary school, middle school, high school, and in a community college.

I've also been a newspaper woman: a general reporter, a business reporter, and an associate editor and editorial writer at Norfolk's Virginian-Pilot.

We have three children and five grandchildren.

from: http://www.joyhakim.com/biography.html

Reviews

[Rebecca Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great history series, geared for school kids of all ages. For the younger ages, it's great on it's own. For the older set, it is a fantastic jumping off point for more research and reading. I have used this series with a History Club with kids jr/and high school. We read about 30-40 pages a week, and they each did a project based on the readings. We could get through the set in school year.

We would come together once a week to share the projects, discuss, and I would show them something extra I found that was relevant. Even the kids' whose parents pushed them into joining told me they quickly came to enjoy reading Joy Hakim because it wasn't boring at all.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a set of books. I really love these books. History is told as a story, not a sequence of events. I will have to share these with the class. As I was reading these (more than once) I would often find myself saying to whomever was near-by, "Hey, did you know..." This books could be used in the classroom to pique students interest and to introduce them to little known, yet highly fascinating people and facts. The volumes are rich in the diversity.

[Harold T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good series of books that provides an overview of US History, recommended for teens who are either homeschooled or wanting a history resource. The books provide more than the basics, but don’t get bogged down in the minutiae. For those wanting a deeper dive or analysis of US History, I suggest going elsewhere. But if a broad overview that touches on more than just the main points, this series is worth your while.

[Kristi Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only have one set of U.S. History books on your shelves for middle school (and younger) children, this is the best one I've ever seen. Full to capacity for 1st person documents, and appendixes that lead you to original sources. It combines storytelling, with fact delivery. Children are given hundreds of photos from the various time periods. The books tell the stories of those who were in the margins, too. You "hear" their first person narrative; see the contrast of their intelligent narratives in stark contrast to the newspaper clippings or posters that portrayed them as villains and buffoons. These books ensure that history is never told as neat, tidy tales of heroism; rather, they learn early that history is complicated and full of well-meaning, brilliant, good-hearted people who often made terrible judgement calls and that with ignorance came fear and hatred. They find heroes and villains on all sides.

[Suzanne Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

And excellent series for teaching U.S. History for late elementary, early middle grade readers. I love these books because they give history a fair shake--telling the truth without demonizing the characters, putting the story of us into the perspective of the time, rather than filtering it through our 21st century sensibilities.

Some say they don't offer enough information. If you REALLY want to delve deep into US History, that's true. But that's not the point of these books. The point is to make history as interesting as possible for children.

Ms. Hakim also gives plenty of resources for further exploration within the books, which is what you should do. Start with these books and explore from there with other books, videos, etc.

Thank you, Joy!

[Joaquin Arguelles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 9 book series is excellent, clear, complete, accurate, comprehensive, specific, detailed, simple, and absolutely beautifully written. AND THESE ARE HISTORY BOOKS, not novels! They are a history of the United States from pre-history until today. The best series of books I have ever read. And (believe it or not) its intended audience is high school students! I will absolutely read these books again. And I look forward to reading other books by Ms. Hakim.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not without biases, these are easily digestible and interesting Am. History texts for grade school. Pictures, maps, and factoids galore. Some of Hakim's phrasing can be clunky, but at least it isn't boring. Its also easy to supplement.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is a very good series, it is just that she seems to be writing for a younger age group than she really is and so she explains everything when i know it already (she explained what subjects are in the context of an anarchy). she also tries to be funny when she cant be.

[Reader2007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 7th grade and really enjoyed it. There are lots of neat pictures. =)

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use these books for reference all the time (sub teaching now, and previously for homeschooling). Excellent! Enjoyable reading for the history student - much more lively than a textbook!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing set! She tells the history of America in such a story like fashion, and so NOT like a textbook.

[Mudram28 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series about U.S. history for young people.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best history books I've read. My students loved them. They couldn't get enough of her science series either. Terrific writer and kids to adults can enjoy her books.