NOTE.—The subject of reference books on American history is treated thoroughly in Montgomery's American History (see "Short List of Books," page xxxiii in Appendix), and Fiske's History of the United States (see Appendix D, page 530, Appendix E, page 539, and Appendix F, page 542).
For original materials pertaining to the colonial period and the Revolution, admirably edited for school use, consult Hart's "Source-Readers in American History": No. 1, Colonial Children; No. 2, Camps and Firesides of the Revolution; No. 3, How our Grandfathers Lived.
In searching libraries for books on the Revolution, the teacher will find Winsor's Reader's Handbook of the American Revolution very useful.
SCHOOL TEXT-BOOKS FOR READING AND REFERENCE
Pupils should have easy access, by means of the school library or otherwise, to a few of the formal school text-books on American history. In connection with this book, Montgomery's Leading Facts of American History, Fiske's History of the United States, Eggleston's History of the United States, and Steele's Brief History of the United States (usually known as "Barnes's History") are especially valuable.
If less difficult and much smaller works are thought desirable, the following five books are recommended: Montgomery's Beginner's American History, McMaster's Primary History of the United States, Tappan's Our Country's Story, Thorpe's Junior History of the United States, and Eggleston's First Book in American History.
These books are useful for additional topics, for dates, maps, illustrations, reference tables, and for filling in subjects which do not come within the scope of this book.
Pupils should also have easy reference to books from which topics may be read, or from which may be read sparingly passages indicated by the teacher. Some of the books which have been suggested are more useful on account of their interesting style than for strict historical accuracy. Read the designated works not as a whole, but only by topics or by selections. They will do much to awaken and maintain a lively interest in American history.
READING AT HOME
While the study of this book is in progress, it is well for the pupils to limit their home reading to such books as bear directly upon the subject. Under this head we have suggested several books which belong to the "storybook" order. Wholesome books of fiction and semifiction may certainly do much to stimulate and hold the attention of young students of American history. Thus, Churchill's Richard Carvel and Cooper's Pilot furnish stirring scenes in the career of Paul Jones.