Pioneer Settlers

1850 – 1910

Pioneer settlers moved west seeking new opportunities, building homes and communities in lands long inhabited by Native Americans. Life was harsh, with tough weather and limited supplies, and westward expansion often brought conflict and displacement for Indigenous peoples, profoundly shaping the region’s history.

Picture books

Pioneer Girl: The Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder

Picture biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, for young readers

Dandelions

Lovely story about a girl and her family adjusting to their new Nebraska home

Prairie School

Accessible story about a pioneer boy learning to read

Rachel’s Journal: The Story of a Pioneer Girl

Fictional, visual diary of a pioneer girl

A Little House Picture Book Treasury: Six Stories of Life on the Prairie

Charming stories from the Little House books, illustrated for young readers

Follow Me Down to Nicodemus Town

Joyful story about a real Kansas town founded by former sharecroppers

Chapter books and novels

Little House series

Classic series about a real pioneer family’s adventures

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Award-winning novel about pioneer children adjusting to a new stepmother

The Legend of Jimmy Spoon

Exciting story of a boy who runs away to the Shoshani, based on a true story

Jenny of the Tetons

Novel about a fictional girl living with the family of a real trapper

Dear America: Land of the Buffalo Bones

Fictional diary of a English girl moving with her religious community to Minnesota

German Immigrants in America (You Choose: History)

Choose-your-own-adventure style book with stories about German immigrants

Dear America: My Face to the Wind

Fictional diary of a young teacher on the Nebraska prairie

Dear America: West to a Land of Plenty

Fictional diary of a girl traveling by train to Idaho

My America: As Far As I Can See

Fictional diary, for younger readers, about a city girl discovering Kansas

Prairie Lotus

Novel about a half-Asian pioneer girl finding her place

Our Only May Amelia

Award-winning novel about a pioneer girl

Riddle of the Prairie Bride

Story of a girl solving a mystery in frontier Kansas

Non-fiction books

Life on a Pioneer Homestead (Picture the Past)

Guide to daily life on a pioneer homestead

A Pioneer Sampler: The Daily Life of a Pioneer Family in 1840

Daily life of a pioneer family, with wonderful detail

Pioneer Life from A to Z

A-to-Z guide to daily life as a pioneer settler

Life in the West

Accessible introduction to pioneer life

Biographies

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder?

Excellent introduction to a famous pioneer and author

Activities

Great Pioneer Projects: You Can Build Yourself

Projects inspired by pioneer life

Pioneer Days: Discover the Past with Fun Projects, Games, Activities, and Recipes

Projects, games, and recipes inspired by pioneer life

Google Sites

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