Hamilton has been out on Disney+ for a whole week now! Have you watched it? If you or someone you know are looking for more of a Hamilton fix, well….we’ve got some books for you! Check out books about Alexander Hamilton himself, “Dear Theodosia” in her own words, and Hamilton’s creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

In 2009 American composer and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda stood on a stage at the White House, about to perform a rap song at the White House Poetry Jam. When he explained that the song’s subject was Alexander Hamilton and that Hamilton embodied hip-hop, many in the audience laughed. After all, Hamilton was one of America’s founders. How could an historical figure from the 1700s have anything to do with hip-hop? But the audience at the White House that night—which included President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle—sat spellbound when Miranda began his rap performance. Audiences have been reacting that way to what became Miranda’s megahit musical, Hamilton, ever since its opening on Broadway in 2016, when Miranda was just thirty-five years old.

Raised in New York City by Puerto-Rican-born parents, Miranda has channeled his love for his Latino roots, diverse musical styles, and storytelling into a phenomenal career success. Hamilton won eleven Tony Awards. Miranda has also won numerous other awards and made an impact as an activist and humanitarian. With his extremely active mind and many more creative years ahead of him, Miranda seems destined to keep making a mark on the world.

Alexander Hamilton served as the United States’ first Secretary of the Treasury. He also first proposed the United States’ three branches of government, led the Federalist Party, and established a national currency. In 2015 he became a cultural icon again when Lin-Manuel Miranda adapted his life story into the massively successful Broadway musical Hamilton.

Born in the British West Indies and orphaned at a young age, Hamilton rose to power by becoming a Revolutionary War hero and secretary to General George Washington. He went on to help draft the peace treaty that ended the Revolutionary War and later signed the US Constitution. Learn about Hamilton’s childhood, his military and political career, his fateful duel with Aaron Burr, and his legacy.

Theodosia Burr, daughter of Vice President Aaron Burr, came of age in New York City when the New Nation was growing up. She attended the inauguration of President George Washington in 1789, was at her father’s side on the campaign trail and at his inauguration in 1801, attended presidential addresses to Congress, and hosted the most prominent politicians and thinkers of her time.

The Burrs’ ideas about educating young women were revolutionary. Theodosia was an experiment in the equal treatment of women—regardless of social status—in education, family life, society, and the law. The family believed that women had an important role to play in the New Nation, and Theodosia was fully prepared.

Based on research at libraries and archives, and from the rich body of letters Theodosia and her family left behind, this historical narrative introduces readers to a most unusual girl who pursued a radical new path for women.

“[A] useful purchase for school libraries. . . . Readers wanting to dig deeper after seeing Hamilton will benefit from a read.”—School Library Journal

“[A] well-researched and interesting look at a little-known person and the times in which she lived.”—Booklist

“Crisp, clear, and engaging.”—Kirkus Reviews

Soon after the start of the American Revolutionary War in 1775, the Thirteen Colonies proclaimed their independence from British rule and became the United States of America. The written word proved vital in shaping America’s new identity, laying the groundwork for societal principles and political doctrine alike. From Thomas Jefferson and the members of the Second Continental Congress, to Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the authors of these documents had a profound and lasting effect on United States history. This collection includes unabridged versions of five famous and influential documents that helped to found a nation: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Articles of Confederation (1777), the United States Constitution (1787), the Federalist Papers (1787–1788), and the Bill of Rights (1791).

In June 1776, colonial delegates to the Continental Congress began writing a document to set up a new country—with a government independent from Britain. The Articles of Confederation created a limited centralized government, with states keeping most of the power. After sixteen months of debate, delegates finally passed the Articles on November 15, 1777. But afterward, many conflicts arose. It became clear that the country needed—but also feared—a stronger central government. The states sent delegates to another meeting called the Constitutional Convention, out of which came the U.S. Constitution.

So who attended the Continental Congress?
How did the Articles of Confederation hold the country together during the Revolutionary War?
What was Shay’s Rebellion?

Discover the facts about the Articles of Confederation and learn how this document influenced the formation of the U.S. government.

In September 1783, the United States signed a peace treaty with Great Britain. This event officially ended the Revolutionary War. More importantly, it proclaimed the United States an independent republic.

That republic faced many challenges in its early years. One big problem was its weak central government. It didn’t have the power to deal with the country’s money troubles or growing tensions among the states. The republic needed more authority to make decisions on behalf of all the states. But could such a government treat its citizens fairly? Representatives from each state met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to answer that question. What happened next changed US history.

Explore the history of the early republic. Track the important events and turning points in the development of the United States as a nation.