Dear America: Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie, The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell by Kristiana Gregory

Hattie Campbell, a 13 year old in 1847, has to go across the Oregon Trail after her family sells their farm in exchange for a new life in Oregon City. Hattie's sister has also just passed away. She gets a journal and begins to write everything in it. The family meets up with other families along the way while they trek through prairies and mountains. Hattie is always writing throughout the whole trip about her thoughts and what occurs on their journey. They do finally arrive in Oregon City!

Dear America: My Secret War, The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck by Mary Pope Osborne

Maddie Beck who is 13 and has recently moved to a Long Island boardinghouse. Meanwhile her father is stationed in the Pacific. She has a rough time at first until she makes friends with a boy named Johnny Vecchio. After the bombing in Pearl Harbor, Maddie and Johnny create a student group to sell bonds, gather metal, collect newspapers and used books, and make first-aid kits for the Red Cross. Then one night, Maddie  runs into 2 suspicious men at the beach. Later in the story this will lead to the arrest of 4 Nazi agents. Then the family a telegram that Maddie's father has been injured. Soon after, they get ready to move, again, San Francisco where he is.

My Name is America: The Journal of William Thomas Emerson, A Revolutionary War Patriot by Barry Denenberg

William Thomas Emerson who is an orphan in Boston, has finally gotten work with a tavern proprietor. Throughout the story, he writes in his journal about all the events leading up to the Revolution. He describes the patriots, daily life, traitors, and the public punishments that went on in these times.

Dear America: Christmas After All, The Great Depression Diary of Minnie Swift by Kathryn Lasky

Minnie Swift, who is 11, isn't getting much for Christmas this year. In the times of the Great Depression, Minnie's whole life has changed. Her father isn't getting as much work as he used to, her family's food is limited, and a young orphan girl has come into their home from Texas. Minnie vents about her issues through her journal and accounts for her experiences, both good and bad, during the depression. She is constantly in good spirits until her father disappears.

My Name is America: The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds, The Donner Party Expedition by Rodman Philbrick

Douglas Allen Deeds is a 15-year-old orphan explains his hopes for the Donner Party and a better life in California. Even though he knows that there are significant things putting the party back, he still believes in the men. He talks about many things through entries in his journal such as bad roads and fears of the Native Americans. There are definitely rough times that involve deaths of members and the waning number of wagons that are functional for the trip. They eventually find themselves trapped in the snow and almost starving. The Donner Party starts to turn on each other and become cannibals. In the epilogue, Deeds reaches and finds gold in California.

My America: Our Strange New Land, Elizabeth's Diary- Jamestown Colony Diary by Patricia Hermes

Nine year-old Elizabeth has traveled with her family from England to Jamestown, Virginia. After the disastrous sea crossing, during which a hurricane destroyed or rerouted five of their nine ships, Elizabeth is happy to be on dry land. She goes between happy and unhappy due to her twin not being there from who she stole the book she writes in, their house not being finished, people not being respectful, and fights with the Indians who she likes. But together with her parents, she begins to build a new life in the Jamestown settlement, befriending  Captain John Smith and 13-year-old Pocahontas.

When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest

Setting: Shtetl, New York
Characters: Jessie, Grandmother, Rabbi, Lou
Theme: To what's best for yourself, bravery

Jessie and her grandmother live in a shtetl. They are poor but happy. One day a rabbi loses his brother and gives his ticket to America to Jessie. Her and her grandmother decide that she should go. She meets a friend named Lou who gives her confidence to go to America and reassures her that everything will be alright. Jessie works at a dress shop in New York. One day, she meets up with Lou again in Central Park, and they fall in love. Finally she gains enough money to have her grandmother join her in America.

Coming On Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson

Setting: War time
Characters: Ada Ruth, Mama, Grandma, Kitten
Theme: Sacrifice

Ada Ruth's mother decided that she is going to Chicago to clean trains. They need the money and there are so many men off at war that women can work. She tells Ada Ruth she loves her more than rain or snow. While her mother is gone grandma keeps Ada Ruth as happy as she can. A kitten came to the house, and her grandmother says she can't keep it but they do. Mama doesn't write or send any money like she said she would. Finally they get a letter from her with money. She says she'll be coming home soon. The two of them and the kitten relax while the stew cooks. Ada Ruth thinks of her mother's love and how she'll be home soon.

The Memory Coat by Elvira Woodruff

Setting: Russia, Ellis Island
Characters: Rachel, Grisha, Grandparents, Rachel's dad
Theme: Death, Immigration

Rachel and Grisha were cousins. They were Jewish and lived in Russia. Grisha's parents died, and he was very upset. His family was worried about him grieving in his old, tattered coat that his mother made for him. Rachel cheered him up by telling him stories because he would get to draw them. One day people came and told their family that there were people that were going to kill any Jewish people. They decided to hide and then leave for America. They sold everything and were on their way. Before they left, they discussed how they must look their best or they wouldn't get into America. This meant Grisha's coat must be taken away and a new one should be made, but he wouldn't let them take it. That's when they remembered that his mom had made it from her coat before she died. Once the arrived at Ellis Island, Rachel and Grisha kept playing their story game. While they were playing, Rachel accidentally fell and so did Grisha, and Grisha cut his eye. He ended up not passing inspection. Then Rachel turned his jacket inside out and made him go to another man for inspection. This man was nicer and understood that he was just scratched. They had all passed inspection finally. Grisha had always kept that jacket and passed it down to his children.

Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey

Setting: 1924, New York City, Winter
Characters: Milly, Papa, Mr. Macy, Mr. Snidely
Theme: Homesickness, immigration

Milly was from Poland, and her father worked at Macy's. Mr. Macy was the owner. Soon Milly noticed that people were starting to get homesick, and she wanted to make them happy. She went to Mr. Macy to talk to him, and overheard him talking about his sad employees. Another man, Mr. Snidely, suggested they fire them. Milly went into the room in a hurry and explained that the people were just homesick. They decided to have a parade where all the workers could sing to everyone. They all dressed up and sang in the parade. Milly even got to ride an elephant. After that, they decided to the do the parade every year.