1849 – 1913
Westward expansion in the United States was a period of major exploration and growth. Americans moved into new territories, driven by the belief in Manifest Destiny, which was the idea that the country was meant to expand across the continent. This expansion led to the acquisition of vast lands through treaties, purchases, and conflicts. It significantly impacted Native American communities and shaped the development of new states and territories across the West. Other pages have books about:
The Oregon Trail
Pioneer Settlers
The California Gold Rush
The Transcontinental Railroad
The Pony Express
Orphan Trains
Picture books
Red Bird Sings: The Story of Zitkala-Ša, Native American Author, Musician, and Activist
True story of a Sioux girl growing up to be a musician
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John Henry
Tall tale about a legendary Western figure, based on the folk ballad
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A Boy Named Beckoning: The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero
True story of a kidnapped Native boy who travelled the West as a photographer
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Cowboy Charlie: The Story of Charles M. Russell
Gorgeously-illustrated story of a young cowboy-turned-artist
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A Boy Called Slow
True story about Sitting Bull growing up and earning his name
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The Pig War: How a Porcine Tragedy Taught England and America to Share
Whimsical true story of a conflict that almost broke out between the US and England over a pig
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Crazy Horse’s Vision
Exciting true story about Crazy Horse as a young boy
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The Last Princess: The Story of Princess Ka’iulani of Hawai’i
Inspiring story of the last Hawaiian princess
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Chapter books
Bear Dancer: The Story of a Ute Girl
Moving story of a Ute girl confronting change
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Danger at the Wild West Show
Exciting story of a girl who solves a mystery while performing in a Wild West show
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The Coffin Quilt: The Feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys
Novel about the Hatfield-McCoy feud from the perspective of a girl advocating for peace
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Birchbark House
First in a series that traces 100 years in the life of an Ojibwe family as they confront change
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Kaiulani: The People’s Princess, Hawaii, 1889
Fictional diary from the perspective of a real Hawaiian princess just before annexation
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Doe Sia: Bannock Girl and the Handcart Pioneers
Story of a friendship between a Bannock girl and a Mormon pioneer
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My Heart Is on the Ground: The Diary of Nannie Little Rose, a Sioux Girl, Carlisle Indian School, Pennsylvania, 1880
Fictional diary of a Sioux girl at an Indian boarding school
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All the Stars in the Sky: The Santa Fe Trail Diary of Florrie Mack Ryder
Fictional diary of a girl’s adventures along the Santa Fe Trail
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My Name Is America: The Journal Of Joshua Loper, A Black Cowboy
Fictional diary of a young cowboy’s first cattle drive
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Dear America: Behind The Masks
Fictional diary of a girl solving a mystery in a California gold town
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The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow: The Diary of Sarah Nita, a Navajo Girl, New Mexico, 1864
Fictional diary of a Navajo girl experiencing the dislocation of the Long Walk
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The Journal of Brian Doyle: A Greenhorn on an Alaskan Whaling Ship, 1874
Fictional diary of a boy working on an Alaskan whaling ship
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Stay Alive: The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds, The Donner Party Expedition, 1846
Exciting novel about a boy in the Donner Party
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Westward Expansion: An Interactive History Adventure
Choose-your-own-adventure style stories set during the settlement of the west
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Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail
Story of a boy’s journey on the Overland Trail, told through letters home
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Non-fiction books
Eyewitness Wild West
Comprehensive reference with great photos
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National Geographic: The Old West
Photo-rich overview of the Old West
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What Was the Wild West?
Concise introduction to the Wild West
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Navajo Long Walk: Tragic Story Of A Proud Peoples Forced March From Homeland
Powerful story of the Navajos’ expulsion from their homelands
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Cowboys of the Wild West
Excellent introduction to the history behind the cowboy mythos
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What Was the Donner Party?
Thorough introduction to the famous, ill-fated group of pioneers
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What Was the Children’s Blizzard of 1888?
Enthralling story of a blizzard that hit the Midwest in 1888
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Children of the Wild West
Excellent, photo-based introduction to children’s lives in the Old West
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In the Days of the Vaqueros: America’s First True Cowboys
Story of the cow herders from Spanish Mexico who influenced later cowboys
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Donner Dinner Party
Engrossing graphic novel about the Donner party
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