After 250 years of independence, it may be difficult for us to imagine the earlier America, an untamed land and prized possession of Britain and France. Produced by National Geographic, this series for readers 9 to 12 goes beyond the familiar tales to offer a nuanced account of life in some of the New World's most important colonies. Each volume includes a detailed text and dozens of period illustrations as well as a timeline and list of resources for further study.

Founded on the ideal of religious tolerance and with great reverence for the Native Americans who inhabited the region, William Penn's "holy experiment" inspired the colony's settlers with a vision of freedom that was reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Telling Penn's story and that of Benjamin Franklin, this book also discusses intriguing lesser known figures like Mary Jemison, a captive of the Shawnee who later opted to assimilate into their tribe.