John Adams, President: Resources
(And Abigail Adams)
Dates covered: 1735-1801
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Books (All Ages):
Abigail Adams: Eyewitness to America’s Birth Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams, the nation’s second president. Abigail had strong opinions about war, politics, and the rights of women—and she wasn’t shy about expressing them. Few women in her time were as outspoken. Abigail Adams helped mold John Adams’s ideas—and so too our history. Younger to Middle students.
Abigail Adams: First Lady of the American Revolution When Abigail Adams was born, women were expected to be just wives and mothers. But Abigail turned out to be so much more. Read all about the fascinating life of our nation’s second First Lady — a woman who helped shape the early history of the United States. Early reader. Younger to Middle students.
Abigail Adams: Girl of Colonial Days Childhood of Famous Americans series. Using simple language that beginning readers can understand, this lively, inspiring, and believable biography looks at the childhood of Abigail Adams. Illustrated throughout. Middle students.
Abigail Adams This book introduces young readers to the life of Abigail Adams, beginning with her childhood in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Readers will become familiar with her independent personality as they learn about her love of learning, her marriage to John Adams, and her life as a mother. Details of Mrs. Adams’s time as a political wife include her courage in facing the hardships of the American Revolution, while her husband served in the Continental Congress, and the many letters they exchanged throughout their lives. Mrs. Adams’s years as the vice president’s wife and as First Lady, including their move into the White House, are also discussed. Level 4.6. Younger to Middle students.
Abigail Adams A Discovery Book series. Early Reader. A biography of Abigail Smith, who became the wife of the second president of the United States and the mother of the sixth president. Younger to Middle students. Massachusetts.
Dangerous Crossing Picture book retelling of John Adams’ dangerous secret mission to France, from the viewpoint of his son and future president, “Johnny” Quincy Adams. Level 5.0
Gingerbread with Abigail Adams Early Reader, two children time travel back with Abigail Adams and learn more about her life, level 3.8
I Am Abigail Adams An 8×8 book with 2 sticker sheets based on an episode from the PBS KIDS animated television series Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum starring Abigail Adams. Based on the children’s book series Ordinary People Change the World by New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Christopher Eliopoulos, the series will introduce kids to inspiring historical figures and the character virtues that helped them succeed. When Yadina, Brad, and Xavier need help solving a problem, they head to the Secret Museum for help! They’re sent back in time to 1754 to meet one of the United States’ Founding Mothers: Abigail Adams. Younger to Middle students. Massachusetts.
John Adams Graphic Novel. John Adams was a successful lawyer in Boston when he found himself drawn into the colonial quest for liberty from Britain. Despite defending the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre, Adams ended up taking a leadership role in rallying the people to fight for their independence. As the new government found its legs, Adams found himself the first Vice President of the United States. He would go on to become President before retiring to live with his wife Abigail. Readers will find the birth of our nation a compelling story as it is seen through the lens of John Adams’ life, and presented in graphic novel form. Younger to Middle students.
John Adams: A Photo-Illustrated Biography A biography of the second president of the United States, covering his childhood, his marriage to Abigail Smith, and his role in creating the United States government.
John Adams: 2nd President of the United States Describes the childhood, education, employment, and political career of America’s second president. Older students.
John Adams: Encyclopedia of Presidents A biography of the outspoken, decisive man who served the United States in many ways, including as its President. Older students.
John Adams: Our Second President A thorough, illustrated biography discussing the president’s childhood, his career, his family, and his term as President of the United States. Younger to Middle students.
John Adams: The 2nd President easy to read biography. Level 3.8. Younger to middle students.
John Adams: Independence Forever By Janet and Geoff Benge. Examines the childhood, marriage, family life, and political career of the American patriot who served his country as a representative to the Continental Congress, ambassador to Great Britain, and second president of the United States. Middle to Older Students. Virginia.
John Adams: Second President 1797-1801 (Getting to Know the US Presidents) A delightful mix of full-color historical reproductions, photos, and hilarious cartoon-style illustrations brings to life the Presidents of the United States of America, combining poignant anecdotes with important factual imformation. Younger to Middle students.
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John Adams Speaks for Freedom John Adams didn’t enjoy traveling. He much preferred to stay home with his wife and children. But John Adams also had a dream: He wanted to see the thirteen colonies free from English rule. He wanted to see the creation of a new country — the United States of America. John Adams did whatever was needed to make his dream come true. Early Reader level 3. Younger to Middle students.
John Adams: Young Revolutionary Childhood of Famous Americans series. Recounts the childhood adventures of a future president. Younger to Middle students.
Leave it to Abigail Engaging picture book about the life of Abigail Adams, wife of the second president of the United States. Level 4.5
President: John and Abigail Adams
Remember the Ladies: A Story about Abigail Adams Abigail Adams lived through the Revolutionary War and became the First Lady of the second president of the United States. Though women of her time could not vote, govern, or own property, Abigail believed that women should not be ruled by laws they did not make. Although she did not see these rights come to women, she never gave up talking, writing, and perhaps most important, believing that women were equal to men. Her courage and strength enabled her to help her husband create a new country. She never fired a gun, but her pen was a weapon that helped win freedom for her country–and herself. Younger to Middle students. Level 5.7. Massachusetts.
The Picture Story and Biography of John Adams Read-aloud style historical fiction about the life of the second president of the United States.
The Revolutionary John Adams Longer picture book, level 7.0
Those Rebels, John & Tom A brilliant portrait of two American heroes: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Who Was Abigail Adams? Part of the Who Was series, Abigail Adams was a strong woman far ahead of her time. She urged her husband, President John Adams, to “remember the ladies” and despite having no formal education herself, she later advocated for equal education in public schools for both boys and girls. She was also the first First Lady to live in the White House! This biography tells the story of Abigail Adams and her role in America’s Revolutionary War period. Middle students. Lexile 720.
Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the True Story of an American Feud Picture book, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends with very different personalities. However, their differing views on how to run the newly created United States turned them into the worst of friends. They each became leaders of opposing political parties, and their rivalry followed them to the White House. Full of both history and humor, this is the story of two of America’s most well-known presidents and how they learned to put their political differences aside for the sake of friendship. Level 5.2 Younger to Middle students.
Coloring Pages/Drawing:
Lapbooks/Notebooking Pages/Unit Studies
Museums/Field Trips (including virtual):
- Adams National Historical Park, Quincy, Massachusetts
Recipes:
- (John Adams: A Taste of History) Make a classic New England Boiled Dinner
- President Adams loved pickles as part of his daily food pyramid. He was in good company along with Thomas Jefferson who also loved them so much he wrote “On a hot day in Virginia, I know nothing more comforting than a fine spiced pickle, brought up trout-like from the sparkling depths of the aromatic jar below the stairs of Aunt Sally’s cellar.”
Songs:
- The Life of John Adams Song
- President John Adams Song – Presidents Day Lesson Plan
- Adams and Liberty (John Adams)
Videos
- John Adams: A Closer Look (HBO)(Intro to the series)
- Liberty’s Kids 131 – Bostonians | History Cartoons for Children
- John Adams (Part 1)
- John Adams: American Independence: The 2nd President of the United States | Mini Bio | BIO
