AAmerican History

Resources for the Alamo and the Texas Revolution (including Battles of Gonzalez and Goliad, the Siege of Bexar, the Goliad Massacre, and the Battle of San Jacinto) (Also including David Bowie, Davy Crockett, Susanna Dickinson, Sam Houston, Antonio López de Santa Anna, and Juan Seguín)

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Resources for the Alamo and the Texas Revolution (including Battles of Gonzalez and Goliad, the Siege of Bexar, the Goliad Massacre, and the Battle of San Jacinto) (Also including David Bowie, Davy Crockett, Susanna Dickinson, Sam Houston, Antonio López de Santa Anna, and Juan Seguín)

Dates covered: 1835-1836

Contains affiliate links

Scroll Down to see crafts, movies, songs, and more. 

Books: 

Top Pick:
Make Way for Sam Houston. Jean Fritz. Middle grade historical nonfiction biography. Jean Fritz presents the dramatic and contradictory life of Sam Houston—from his youth among the Cherokee to his leadership in Texas independence and his later political career—showing how his bold decisions shaped the early history of Texas. Note: includes warfare and deaths related to the Texas Revolution, also references alcoholism, but he does stop drinking. AR 6.4. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Other books: 

The Alamo. Wim Coleman. Children’s history nonfiction. An illustrated history that introduces young readers to the key events, figures, and significance of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, combining accessible narrative with visual elements to help students understand how and why the battle unfolded and its role in the Texas Revolution. Sensitive content: references to violence and death connected to war; presented in an age-appropriate way. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

The Alamo. Robert E. Hollmann. Middle grade historical fiction. (Lone Star Legends series). A young observer records the rising conflict in Texas and the desperate defense of the Alamo as Texian fighters attempt to hold the mission against the advancing Mexican army. Note: “ghost” of the Alamo takes children back in time, also wartime scenes. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Angel of the Alamo: A Story of Texas. Lisa Waller Rogers. Picture book. Andrea Castañeda, a young Tejana girl living inside the Alamo, witnesses the siege firsthand and risks her safety to bring water and comfort to the wounded as the battle unfolds around her. Told from Andrea’s perspective, the story highlights courage, compassion, and the often-overlooked experiences of civilians caught in the middle of war. Sensitive content: references to war, injury, and death. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo: Spot the Myths. Kay Melchisedech Olson. Nonfiction history (Spot the Myths series). This concise, photo-supported nonfiction book examines common legends about the Alamo and separates popular myth from documented historical fact, helping readers evaluate evidence about the 1836 battle. Reading level: Approx. grade 4–5. Age group: 8–12 years. Setting: Texas, 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo: Texans Under Siege. Steven Otfinoski. Juvenile nonfiction (Tangled History series). Multiple first-person viewpoints are woven into a tightly paced account of the thirteen-day siege, allowing readers to experience the Alamo through soldiers, civilians, and commanders as the battle unfolds. Sensitive content note: war violence and death. Reading level: AR 5.6. Age group: 9–12. Setting: Texas, 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo. Kerri O’Hern. Graphic Novel. A clear, fast-moving graphic history that walks readers through the events leading up to the Battle of the Alamo, the siege itself, and why the battle mattered in the Texas Revolution, using concise text and illustrations to keep the focus on cause, consequence, and historical context rather than legend. Sensitive content: references to war, violence, and death, not graphic. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo. Matt Doeden. Graphic Novel (Graphic History series). This graphic-history edition presents the story of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo in sequential art and concise text, guiding young readers through the siege and final assault with illustrations that make the causes, key figures, and outcome of the battle more accessible without overwhelming detail. Sensitive content: references to war, violence, and death. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo. Mike Wilson. Juvenile history (American West series). This illustrated history recounts the dramatic 1836 siege of the Alamo, introducing young readers to the key figures, events, and broader context of the Texas Revolution through concise narrative and visuals that make the story accessible without overwhelming detail. Sensitive content: references to war, violence, and death; non-graphic. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

The Battle of the Alamo. Rod Espinosa. Graphic nonfiction / comic book. This illustrated retelling depicts the siege and fall of the Alamo, showing the challenges faced by Texian defenders, Mexican forces, and others at the 1836 battle through sequential art that brings the historic event to life for young readers. Sensitive content: references to war, violence, and death. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

The Breach. Brian Kaufman. Historical fiction. Presented as the personal journal of General Manuel Fernández Castrillón, aide-de-camp to Santa Anna, this novel recounts the 1836 campaign in Texas and the siege of the Alamo from the Mexican army’s point of view, mixing cultural insight with battlefield experience. Sensitive content note: wartime violence, death, references to adult relationships and moral complexity in military life. Reading level: Lexile 920L. Age group: Teen-Adult. Setting: Texas and Mexico, 1836.

Davy Crockett, Young Rifleman. Augusta Stevenson. Chapter book (Childhood of Famous Americans series). A fast-moving biography that follows Davy Crockett’s rough frontier childhood, his skill as a hunter and marksman, and his growth into a bold woodsman on the American frontier before his later fame in Texas. Reading level: 4. Age group: 8–12. Setting: Tennessee, United States, 1796.

Davy Crockett: My Itty-Bitty Bio. Lori C. Froeb. Biography. A very simple introduction to Davy Crockett that presents his frontier life and role at the Alamo using short sentences and clear illustrations designed for beginning readers. Sensitive content note: death in war referenced. Reading level: Lexile BR. Age group: Ages 3–6. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Davy Crockett. Constance Rourke. Children’s biography. A full-length biography examining the life of the American frontiersman, soldier, and Tennessee congressman, tracing Crockett’s early frontier experiences, political career, and lasting reputation shaped by his death defending the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. Reading level: Lexile 1140L. Age group: 12–16. Setting: Tennessee and Texas, United States, 1836.

Davy Crockett. Nancy Furstinger. Biography (Folk Heroes series). A straightforward children’s biography that introduces Davy Crockett’s frontier life, political career, and role in the Texas Revolution with clear text and color illustrations tailored to elementary readers. Sensitive content note: wartime violence, death. Reading level: AR 4.3; Lexile 700L-740L. Age group: Grades 4–6. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Davy Crockett. Robert E. Hollmann. Middle grade historical fiction. (Lone Star Legends series). The famed frontiersman and former congressman travels to Texas seeking a new start, only to find himself among the defenders of the Alamo as the revolution reaches its turning point. Note: warfare and violent deaths. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Susanna Dickinson. Robert E. Hollmann. Middle grade historical fiction. (Lone Star Legends series). A civilian caught inside the Alamo records the fears and hardships faced by families during the siege and becomes one of the few survivors sent to carry the news of the battle’s tragic end. Note: Told from the point of view of a doll. Also, warfare, violent deaths, and wartime hardship affecting families. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

How America Became America: Americans Take a Stand in Texas. Ben Thompson. Children’s nonfiction history (How America Became America series). Book description: An illustrated account of the Texas Revolution explaining why settlers and Tejanos resisted Mexican rule and how key events led to Texas independence. Notes: Includes war violence and death. Ages 10–14. Texas, 1836.

Jim Bowie. Robert E. Hollmann. Middle grade historical fiction. (Lone Star Legends series). The famous frontiersman and knife fighter becomes a leader among the Texian defenders at the Alamo, struggling with illness and the looming Mexican siege as the revolution intensifies. Note: warfare and violent deaths. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

José Antonio Navarro. Christine Juárez. Early nonfiction picture-book biography (Great Hispanic and Latino Americans series). A brief, straightforward introduction to José Antonio Navarro that explains who he was, his role in the Texas Revolution, and why he is remembered in Texas history. Note: Brief references to war and political conflict. Reading level: AR 2.8. Age group: 4–8 years. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Journey to Goliad. Melody Kuwate. Historical fiction. In this fourth book of a Texas-history series, young characters encounter the events surrounding Goliad, where surrender, imprisonment, and execution revealed the brutal stakes of the Texas Revolution and reshaped public resolve. This book is one in a series; other volumes explore additional famous Texas battles and moments in Texas history, including the Alamo, San Jacinto, Gonzales, La Salle’s settlement, Plum Creek, and Galveston during the era of Juneteenth. Sensitive content note: wartime violence, execution of prisoners, death. Reading level: Lexile ~950L. Age group: Grades 5–8. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Journey to Gonzales. Melody Kuwate. Historical fiction. In this third book of a Texas-history series, young characters experience the rising tensions at Gonzales, where a single cannon and a defiant stand helped ignite the Texas Revolution. This book is one in a series; other volumes explore additional famous Texas battles and moments in Texas history, including the Alamo, San Jacinto, Goliad, La Salle’s settlement, Plum Creek, and Galveston during the era of Juneteenth. Sensitive content note: wartime violence, threat of armed conflict, death, ghosts. Reading level: Lexile ~950L. Age group: Grades 5–8. Setting: Texas, 1835.

Journey to San Jacinto. Melody Kuehn. Historical fiction. In this second book of a Texas-history series, a young narrator experiences the events leading up to and including the Battle of San Jacinto, showing how ordinary people were swept into the Texas Revolution as history unfolded around them. This book is one in a series; other volumes explore additional famous Texas battles and moments in Texas history, including the Alamo, Gonzales, Goliad, La Salle’s settlement, Plum Creek, and Galveston during the era of Juneteenth. Sensitive content note: wartime violence, death, and references to fortune tellers (not practiced or endorsed). Reading level: Lexile 900L–1000L. Age group: Grades 5–8. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Journey to the Alamo. Melodie A. Cuate. Chapter book (historical time-travel fiction). A seventh-grader named Hannah and her friends investigate a mysterious trunk from their Texas history teacher and suddenly find themselves thrown back in time to the Alamo with the siege about to begin, forcing them to navigate danger while trying to understand the past and find their way home. Sensitive content: war, death, mystical realm and magical trunk that can cause time travel. AR unavailable. Grades 5–8. Texas, 1836. This book is one in a series, other books will visit other famous Texas Battles and Texas history: San Jacinta, Gonzalez, Goliad, La Salle’s Settlement, Plum Creek, Galveston (time of Juneteenth). 

Juan Seguin. Robert E. Hollmann. Middle grade historical fiction. (Lone Star Legends series). A Tejano leader loyal to the Texian cause struggles to defend his homeland while navigating the divided loyalties of neighbors and family during the Texas Revolution. Note: warfare and violent deaths. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Liberty, Justice & F’Rall: The Dog Heroes of the Texas Republic. Marjorie Kutchinski. Children’s historical fiction. Book description: Sam Houston’s dog Liberty narrates how she and the dogs Justice and F’rall were involved in key events of the Texas Revolution, including the fall of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Notes: Includes references to war violence, combat danger, and canine injury/deaths. Ages 7–10. Texas Republic, 1836.

Life at the Alamo. Sally Senzal Isaacs.. Children’s nonfiction history. A straightforward look at daily life inside the Alamo before the famous battle, focusing on how soldiers and civilians lived, worked, trained, and waited as tensions in Texas grew. Rather than retelling the battle itself, this book helps young readers understand the setting, routines, and pressures of life at the mission in the days leading up to 1836. Sensitive content: references to soldiers, weapons, and approaching conflict; no graphic violence. AR: not available; elementary nonfiction level (approx. AR 4). Grades: 3–6. Setting: Texas, 1836.

A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence, Gonzales, Texas, 1836. Sherry Garland. Middle grade historical fiction. (Dear America series). Lucinda Lawrence records the growing conflict between Texian settlers and Mexican forces as tensions rise in Texas, describing the evacuation of families, the defense of the Alamo, and the uncertainty faced by civilians caught in the Texas Revolution. Note: opium use, alcoholism, death of an infant and other children, and wartime deaths. AR 5.4. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Magnificent Sam: The Amazing Adventures of Sam Houston. Laurie Cockerell. Picture book biography. An illustrated account of the adventurous life of Sam Houston, from his youth among the Cherokee to his leadership during the Texas Revolution and his victory at San Jacinto. Note: warfare and violent deaths during the Texas Revolution. Ages 7–11. Texas, 1836.

Make Way for Sam Houston. Jean Fritz. Middle grade historical nonfiction biography. Jean Fritz presents the dramatic and contradictory life of Sam Houston—from his youth among the Cherokee to his leadership in Texas independence and his later political career—showing how his bold decisions shaped the early history of Texas. Note: includes warfare and deaths related to the Texas Revolution, also references alcoholism, but he does stop drinking. AR 6.4. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Outnumbered: Davy Crockett’s Final Battle at the Alamo. Eric Fein. Juvenile nonfiction. This short historical account follows frontiersman-politician Davy Crockett as he joins the fight at the Alamo and faces overwhelming odds during the famous 1836 siege, helping young readers understand the key events and context of his final stand. Sensitive content: references to war, violence, and death. AR ~4. Grades 3–6. Texas, 1836.

A Picture Book of Davy Crockett. David A. Adler. Picture book biography. (Picture Book Biography series). A brief illustrated account of the Tennessee frontiersman who became a congressman and later traveled to Texas, where he joined the defenders of the Alamo and became a lasting American folk hero. Note: warfare and violent deaths at the Alamo. AR 3.5. Ages 6–10. Tennessee; Texas, 1836.

A Picture Book of Sam Houston. David A. Adler; Michael S. Adler. Picture book biography. (Picture Book Biography series). Sam Houston’s life is introduced for young readers, explaining how he became a soldier, leader of Texas forces, and later president of the Republic of Texas after defeating the Mexican army in 1836. AR 4.8. Ages 4–8. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Sam Houston: I Am Houston. Mary Dodson Wade. Children’s biography. A first-person narrative introducing the life of Sam Houston, highlighting his leadership in Texas and his role in the victory that secured independence for the Republic of Texas. Note: warfare during the Texas Revolution. Ages 7–11. Texas, 1836.

Standoff: Remembering the Alamo. Lisa Trumbauer. Hybrid historical fiction combining prose chapters with interspersed graphic-novel panels. A teenage boy and his mother cross the Texas frontier and arrive at the Alamo as the 1836 siege begins, experiencing events through alternating narrative text and graphic scenes. Sensitive content note: wartime violence, battle scenes, death. Reading level: AR 3.5. Age group: 8–12+. Setting: Texas, 1836.

Susanna of the Alamo: A True Story. John Jakes. Picture book. A young mother survives the fall of the Alamo and secretly carries General Houston’s warning through dangerous Texas territory, revealing the courage and human reality behind a famous battle. Note: Wartime danger and battle violence, including death of soldiers and destruction of the Alamo. Reading level: Approx. grade 2–3. Age group: 5–9 years. Setting: Texas, United States, 1836.

Voices of the Alamo. Sherry Garland. Picture book. Gentle, poetic snapshots imagine what different people at the Alamo might have felt during this famous moment in Texas history, helping young readers understand the event through emotion and reflection rather than action or battle scenes. Sensitive content: very mild references to war and death. AR ~3. Grades 2–4. Texas, 1836.

Who Was Davy Crockett? Gail Herman. Biography (Who Was? series). A brisk, kid-friendly life story that follows Davy Crockett from his frontier childhood through politics and finally the Alamo, separating tall tales from what historians can document about the “King of the Wild Frontier.” Sensitive content note: wartime violence, death. Reading level: AR 4.4. Age group: 8–12. Setting: Texas, 1836.

William B. Travis. Robert E. Hollmann. Middle grade historical fiction. (Lone Star Legends series). The young Texian commander struggles to hold the Alamo against overwhelming odds, writing his famous plea for reinforcements while preparing for the final battle. Note: warfare and violent deaths. Ages 10–adult. Texas, 1836.

Coloring Pages

Crafts and Arts

Lapbooks/Unit Studies/Activity Pages

Movies/Videos/Documentaries

 

Museums/Field Trips (including virtual): 

Recipes: 

Songs: 

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