Trailblazers of America: An Action-Packed History Series Your Kids Will Love
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There’s something magical about history told as an adventure — when the pages pull you in, the characters feel like old friends, and you can almost hear the crunch of wagon wheels or the crack of a rifle in the distance.
The American frontier is full of these kinds of stories: men and women who braved wild, uncharted lands with nothing but grit, skill, and an unshakable belief in the future they were building.
For kids, those stories aren’t just fascinating — they’re a window into courage, perseverance, and the values that helped shape a nation. And when we teach history in our homeschools through vivid storytelling rather than dry dates and facts…it sticks.
It’s the kind of history that begs to be passed down. Not just memorized for a test (sadly, that’s how I learned history!), but shared like a family story around the dinner table.
These are the tales that spark questions, inspire pretend play, and leave kids imagining what it might have been like to live in those days. Because when history feels real, it becomes more than a subject — it becomes part of who we are.
A New Kids Book Series From PragerU
If you’ve been around the homeschool world for a while, you’ve probably heard of PragerU. They’re well known for creating thought-provoking educational videos that share history, civics, and cultural topics from a traditional American values perspective.
In recent years, they’ve expanded into producing content and resources for kids—including wholesome books, videos, and lesson plans that you can feel good about bringing into your home.
Their goal is to give families engaging, fact-based resources that inspire learning and encourage critical thinking.
Meet the Trailblazers
Enter the Trailblazers of America series from PragerU Kids — a collection that captures those timeless frontier stories and makes them accessible, engaging, and exciting for kids.
The series follows seven legendary pioneers whose courage, curiosity, and determination helped shape our nation. As they read, your kids will learn not just about westward expansion, but also about character traits like resilience, resourcefulness, and integrity.
That’s what I’m loving about the Trailblazers of America series — it makes history feel alive. These aren’t dusty textbook tales; they’re the kind of stories that pull kids in and make them want to know what happens next.
Here’s a peek into each book in the series:
1. Daniel Boone
In this one, your kids will tag along with Daniel Boone as he opens up the Wilderness Road and leads settlers through rough, untamed land. There’s danger around every corner — wild animals, tricky terrain, and some big decisions that could change everything.
2. Johnny Appleseed
This one’s all about John Chapman — you probably know him as Johnny Appleseed. But he was way more than just a guy tossing apple seeds around. He had a huge heart for people, a love for nature, and a knack for turning ideas into something lasting.
3. Lewis and Clark
Travel right alongside Captains Lewis and Clark as they set out on their big adventure west, sent by President Thomas Jefferson himself. There are tense moments with new people, tough climbs over mountains, and the amazing story of how Sacagawea helped them every step of the way.
4. Davy Crockett
Meet the “King of the Wild Frontier” himself — Davy Crockett. From his days as a soldier to his time in politics, all the way to his legendary last stand at the Alamo, his story is packed with courage, leadership, and fighting for what’s right.
5. John C. Frémont
They called him “The Pathfinder” — and for good reason. John C. Frémont’s daring adventures opened the way to California and even helped shape America’s borders. Plus, his strong stand against slavery makes his story a great one for talking about character and conviction with your kids.
6. John Sutter
John Sutter came to America with big dreams — and ended up right in the middle of the California Gold Rush. His story is a fascinating peek at chasing opportunity, hanging on through challenges, and watching the Wild West change almost overnight.
7. Bass Reeves
Bass Reeves was one of the first Black U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi — and his life reads like an action movie. It’s full of grit, daring captures, and an unshakable commitment to justice in the wild, unsettled frontier.
Why I Love Trailblazers of America
Each book blends true stories from America’s past with vivid storytelling and hands-on activities, so kids aren’t just reading about history — they’re stepping right into it.
Inside, you’ll find a mix of:
…and so much more!
These are the kind of history stories kids actually want to hear! And in a time when so many history resources either water down the truth or skip over the bravery and accomplishments of America’s pioneers, Trailblazers of America tells the whole story. It celebrates the grit, sacrifice, and determination that built this country — helping our kids see these heroes as real people worth remembering.
Reading Level & Age Range
The Trailblazers books are geared toward upper elementary through middle school readers (ages 8–13). That said, they make a fantastic read-aloud for younger siblings, and even older kids (or parents!) will find the stories engaging.
The short chapters make them easy to fit into a morning basket, bedtime routine, or independent reading time.
What I love most about the Trailblazers of America series is how easily it ties into the way many of us homeschool. These aren’t dry textbooks — they’re real stories that draw kids in and leave them thinking long after you’ve closed the book. Along the way, they meet people who stood firm in their values, faced down challenges, and helped shape the country we live in today.
Because each book weaves history with geography and reading skills, it works well across different ages and makes it easy to learn together as a family. So, whether your goal is to spark a love for history or simply enjoy meaningful reading time, Trailblazers can fit right in.
How to Use Trailblazers in Your Homeschool
Here are a few ways you might incorporate the series and make the most of it:
- Morning Basket Read-Aloud – Read a chapter or two each morning with your kids and discuss the story over breakfast or lunch.
- Unit Study Starter – Use a book as the core of a history unit, adding in mapwork, crafts, or documentaries related to that figure.
- Independent Reading Assignment – Have your older kids read a Trailblazers title on their own, then follow it up with the included writing prompts or comprehension questions.
- Character Study – Focus on one virtue displayed by the featured hero (like perseverance or courage) and discuss how it applies to daily life.
- Family Geography Challenge – Mark each location mentioned in the book on a map together, or create one big timeline of all the journeys.
Lesson Plans & Worksheets (Your Built-In Teacher’s Guide)
Another favorite thing about the Trailblazers of America series is that you’re not just getting books—you’re getting a whole teaching toolkit to go with it. PragerU offers free, ready-to-use lesson plans and worksheets on their website for each book in the series, and while they’re designed with classrooms in mind, they’re incredibly easy to adapt for your homeschool.
Each lesson plan includes:
- Key vocabulary so you can introduce important terms before reading.
- Discussion questions to spark thoughtful conversation with your kids.
- Graphic organizers and writing prompts to help them think deeper about what they read.
- Hands-on enrichment activities—things like creating a diorama of frontier animals, mapping out the expedition routes, or even building a model canoe (on a small, non-wet scale!).
Even if you don’t follow the plan step-by-step, these guides make it simple to turn a single book into a full mini-unit study. For example, you might:
- Read the books out loud, then use the discussion questions as conversation starters.
- Assign the vocabulary list as copywork or spelling practice.
- Pick one hands-on project for a Friday “Fun History” day.
- Have your kids map the explorers’ route as part of geography.
It’s all laid out for you if you want to use it, so instead of scrambling for resources, you can dive straight into learning and exploring together.
Try It for Free—Davy Crockett E-Book 📚
If you’d like to check out the series before buying, PragerU Kids is offering a free digital copy of Davy Crockett for a limited time! It’s a great way to see if your kids connect with the writing style and stories.
👉 Click here to claim your FREE Davy Crockett e-book👈
📚 Homeschool How-To: Turn the Free Davy Crockett E-Book into a Mini Unit
Want to make the most of your free Trailblazers of America: Davy Crockett book? Here’s a simple 5-day plan you can use and add-on to:
Day 1—Read Homesick and Meet Davy Crockett, then talk about what the frontier was and why pioneers like Davy were so determined to build a life there.
Day 2—Read A Nation at War and Scouting the Enemy, learn what the Creek War and Fort Mims were, and mark them on a map.
Day 3—Read From Soldier to Politician plus the animal and plant field guide pages, then choose one to sketch while talking about the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
Day 4—Read from President Jackson through Trail of Tears, discuss what resilience looks like, and trace the Trail of Tears route on a map.
Day 5—Read from On to a New Frontier through Heroic Ending, then talk about heroism at the Alamo and why Davy Crockett’s story is still told today. Complete the writing prompt in the book.
💡 Tip: You can also download the free lesson plan and worksheets from the PragerU website for extra activities like timelines, maps, and writing prompts.
Ready to Start Your Trailblazers Adventure?
If you’re looking for wholesome, exciting history books that your kids will actually want to read—and that you’ll feel good about adding to your homeschool—Trailblazers of America is a fantastic choice.
✅Claim your FREE Davy Crockett e-book here and get a taste of the action-packed storytelling and hands-on learning this series offers.
Bringing history to life doesn’t have to be complicated. With Trailblazers of America, you can curl up with your kids, open a book, and step straight into the grit and determination that built our country. It’s the kind of learning that sticks — and the kind of stories they’ll remember long after the last page.
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