Any of the D’Aulaire books are treasures. Leif the Lucky, Pocahontas, Benjamin Franklin, etc. My kids enjoyed “Cornstalks and Cannonballs” and “Buttons for General Washington” as readers (from Turthquest). I enjoyed “The Light and the Glory” series for young readers (also from Truthquest). Oh, and I used William Bennett’s “Children’s Book of America” and just loved it.