Book Review Brave & Free Stories of Courage & Character

This engaging collection of historical fiction brings pivotal moments in American history to life through the eyes of young protagonists, offering children aged 6-10 relatable entry points into complex events. Each story focuses on a child demonstrating remarkable bravery during challenging periods, from colonial times to westward expansion, weaving themes of integrity and resilience into compelling narratives. The included CD-ROM provides a valuable multisensory experience with complete audio recordings of each tale, allowing children to follow along or listen independently. This thoughtful integration of print and audio resources makes the historical content more accessible to developing readers while reinforcing comprehension.

What truly distinguishes this collection is its dual focus on both historical education and character development, presenting moral dilemmas and acts of courage in age-appropriate contexts that spark meaningful family discussions. The supplemental vocabulary activities and reading comprehension exercises extend the learning beyond simple storytelling, making this particularly valuable for parents seeking substantive historical literature that supports literacy skills. Children who enjoy adventure stories with authentic historical settings will find themselves transported to different eras while absorbing timeless lessons about perseverance and doing what's right. This resource successfully balances entertainment with education, creating an immersive experience that makes history feel immediate and relevant to young readers.