Nine picks that take a closer look at America
As our nation’s America 250 celebrations ramp up, we offer a selection of titles that feature moments, people, and events in American history—from those well-remembered and well-known, to those forgotten and uncovered—that offer fuller picture of our complex American story.
Fiction
Edmonia: a novel of a boundary-breaking American sculptress by Brianne Baker
Baker’s debut follows the trailblazing career of Black Indigenous Neoclassical sculptor Edmonia Lewis, from pre-Civil War New York, to Oberlin College, to Boston, and on to an expatriate artists’ community in Rome.
The Lifeguard by Laura Kasischke
Set against the backdrop of the Apollo program and moon launches in the summer of 1969, Kasischke’s non-linear novel explores the interconnectedness of a small-town Michigan community in the wake of a child drowning at a swim club. The teenage lifeguard becomes the object of blame, fear, and sorrow, but the story spools out to tell the story of that day.
Questions 27 & 28 by Karen Tei Yamashita
Two questions on the 1943 Loyalty Questionnaire posed to the 120,000 unlawfully interned Japanese Americans, regarding willingness to serve and unqualified allegiance to the U.S., sit at the heart of this meticulously researched polyphonic novel that records arrivals, detention, forced removal, conscription, and their aftereffects.
Adult Nonfiction
American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union: An Anthology by John Meacham
The Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer brings to light the conflicts and tensions at the heart of the American story with this anthology of primary source documents and commentary spanning from 1619 through the 21st century.
America, U.S.A.: How Race Shadows the Nation's Anniversaries by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
By examining events and voices surrounding America’s previous anniversary celebrations, Princeton Professor and author Glaude uncovers the truths, contradictions, and erasures at the heart of these milestone birthdays.
The Westerners: Mythmaking and Belonging on the American Frontier by Megan Kate Nelson
Historian and author Nelson tells a new story of the settlement of the western frontier through the histories of individuals whose stories have been forgotten, or for whom traditional narratives have been distorted or obscured, such as Sacagawea.
Children and Teen
Liberty’s Forgotten Hero: The Revolutionary Life of James Forten by Kesha L. Grant
Grant meticulously highlights the life of James Forten, a free Black man who attended the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence as a nine year-old but never received his citizenship. A life-long abolitionist, Forten is esteemed for calling upon lawmakers to fulfill the promises of the Declaration of Independence for all. Striking digital art is noteworthy.
Record-Breaking USA: Celebrating America’s Biggest, Brightest, and Bravest! by Clive Gifford
Factoid lovers will love traipsing across the United States in this quirky look at records, accomplishments, and tidbits from history that have made America notable.
Blue Beach by Karyn Parsons
Set in 1929, former actor Karyn Parsons explores colorism and history in this terrific teen mystery featuring a Black family who owns the only beach space available to Black residents in Santa Monica, California. When a white woman is found dead on a nearby beach a panicked teen is determined to make sure her boyfriend is not a suspect.