Books our family read before trips to Boston & New England

Explore the United States: Massachusetts by Julie Murray
For a nonfiction text about Massachusetts, this one is actually very good! My girls loved the photo books full of interesting facts, and the special “Tour Book” section full of kid-friendly activities. It’s a great resource for learning about the state’s history, landmarks, and wildlife.

Books About Boston

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
This is a Newbery winner I remember VERY WELL from my childhood – I’m still mourning Johnny’s accident a little! We hear the story of a young silversmith’s apprentice who finds his future changed overnight due to a tragic accident, but finds new meaning when he becomes involved with the Sons of Liberty.

Leah Dares the Flood by Julie Kathleen Gilbert
Another quick read aloud before our trip to Boston. I knew nothing about this historical event! It follows Leah, who dreams of escaping Boston’s crowded North End for a better life out west – until a deadly molasses explosion destroys everything and forces her to fight for survival.

Traces of Freedom by Joanne Matten
When planning our trip to Boston, I knew we had to walk the Freedom Trail – a 2.5 mile route that takes you past 16 historic sites! This book is the perfect way to prepare, helping us see and understand many things during this time. It’s a quick read!

Make Way for the Ducks by Robert McCloskey
I’ve loved this Caldecott winner my whole life and the story of two ducks who find a place in Boston to raise their ducklings makes the whole world feel like spring to me, even with the one-color illustrations. Surprisingly, my two youngest girls don’t remember this book at all!

Books About the Isabella Stewart Garden Museum

Edgar Degas (Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists) by Mike Venezia
Speaking of the famous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum robbery, five of the thirteen masterpieces stolen were by Degas—and it’s fascinating to learn more about his life and recognize his distinctive artistic style.

Books About Walden Pond

Trouble with Henry: The Walden Pond Story by Deborah O’Neal, Angela Westengard and SD Schindler
This biographical picture book is a fun way to learn about Henry David Thoreau and Walden Pond—showing how he chose nature and simplicity over fashion and luxury factories in Concord.

Henry David’s House by Henry David Thoreau, Steven Schnur, and Peter Fiore
Beautifully illustrated and drawn from Thoreau’s own words, this book chronicles his first year at Walden Pond. It’s perfect for children or adults who love nature, offering an inspiring look into the life of this highly influential American icon.

Thoreau in Walden by John Porcellino
If you are looking for something in graphic novel format – this is great! Thoreau’s profound words with Porcellino’s sweet, simple illustrations combine to make an excellent read.

Books About Orchard House

Pilgrim’s Cat by Carol Antoinette Peacock and Doris Ettlinger
When young Pilgrim Faith Barrett finds a stray cat on the Mayflower, she names her new friend Pounce, and together they face the long journey and the challenges of Plymouth’s first winter. I’ve never been much of an animal fan, but I’m totally smitten with this little Pilgrim cat, and my girls are totally obsessed!

The Mayflower: The Perilous Voyage That Changed the World by Libby Romero
During our trip, we enjoyed reading beautifully illustrated nonfiction storybooks that brought the Mayflower journey to life. It introduces the Pilgrims, their journey across the Atlantic, life on the ship, and their first winter in Massachusetts, combining real history with stunning diagrams and maps. It’s a captivating way to explore the true story behind one of America’s most famous adventures.

Plymouth Rock by Nel Yomtov
Can you really go to Massachusetts without visiting Plymouth Rock? We really enjoyed this book which explores the true story behind Plymouth Rock. It not only tells the Pilgrims’ side – it also explores what their arrival meant to the Wampanoag people, the ripple effects of their first meeting, and how a simple seaside rock became an iconic symbol. My girls were totally hooked, and it made history feel alive and full of surprises!

My Journey Aboard the Mayflower by Max Caswell
If there is one book that brings life on the Mayflower to life for my daughters – it is this one that follows an 8 year old girl aboard the Mayflower. It combines his fictional journals with carefully researched history. With maps, illustrations, and fact-filled sidebars on every page, it brings travel and life in a new world to life in a way that is engaging and impossible to put down.

If You Were a Child on the Mayflower by John Son
This book is truly amazing! Join Hope and Theodore as they sail on the Mayflower, experiencing life aboard a ship, braving the dangers of the sea, and dreaming of a new home in North America where they can practice their religion freely.