Introduce your elementary and middle school readers to Wisconsin history with these kid-friendly books. Our teacher resources and companion teacher's guides are designed to help you maximize your instruction for an optimal learning experience.

• View each of these educational titles in our printable Young Readers and Teachers Brochure (PDF, 850 KB)

Badger Biographies Series

For ages 7-12

Explore the stories of real Wisconsin people through our popular non-fiction book series. These famous and not-so-famous people made a difference in our history.

Illustrations, maps, and a glossary in each book.

View more information on our reading level scale (PDF).

Books in the Badger Biographies series

• Mary Nohl: A Lifetime in Art
  (Grades 4 and 5, Levels S/T)
• Father Groppi: Marching for Civil Rights
  (Grades 4 and 5, Levels S/T)
• Joyce Westerman: Baseball Hero
  (Grades 4 and 5, Levels S/T)
• Les Paul: Guitar Wizard
  (Grades 4 and 5, Levels S/T)
• Blue Jenkins: Working for Workers
  (Grade 5, Level T/U)
• A Recipe for Success: Lizzie Kander and her Cookbook
  (Grade 4, Level S)
• Belle and Bob La Follette: Partners in Politics
  (Grade 5, Level T/U)
• Caroline Quarlls and the Underground Railroad
  (Grade 4, Level Q)
• Casper Jaggi: Master Swiss Cheese Maker
  (Grade 4, Level R)
• Cordelia Harvey: Civil War Angel
  (Grade 4, Level S)
• Cindy Bentley: Spirit of a Champion
  (Grade 4, Level Q/R)
• Curly Lambeau: Building the Green Bay Packers
  (Grade 4, Level R)
• Dr. Kate: Angel on Snowshoes
  (Grade 4, Level Q/R)
• Frank Lloyd Wright and His New American Architecture
  (Grade 4, Level R)
• Gaylord Nelson: Champion for Our Earth
  (Grade 4, Level S)
• Harley and the Davidsons: Motorcycle Legends
  (Grade 4, Level S)
• Lucius Fairchild: Civil War Hero
  (Grade 4, Level S)
• Mai Ya's Long Journey
  (Grade 4, Level R)
• Mountain Wolf Woman: A Ho-Chunk Girlhood
  (Grade 4, Level Q)
• Ole Evinrude and His Outboard Motor
  (Grade 4, Level R)
• Tents, Tigers and the Ringling Brothers
  (Grade 4, Level R)
• Richard Bong: World War II Flying Ace
  (Grade 4, Level S)

More Titles For Young Readers

• Great Ships on the Great Lakes: A Maritime History
  
  
• One Room Schools: Stories from the Days of 1 Room, 1 Teacher, 8 Grades
  
  
• Freedom Train North: Stories of the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin
  
  
• If Trees Could Talk: Stories about Wisconsin Trees
  
  
• The Flavor of Wisconsin for Kids: A Feast of History, with Stories and Recipes Celebrating the Land and People of Our State
  
  
• The Great Peshtigo Fire: Stories and Science from America's Deadliest Firestorm
  
  

New Badger History Series

For ages 7-12

This best-selling series introduces elementary and middle school readers to Wisconsin history, packed with photos, illustrations, maps, and interesting activities. The companion Teacher's Guides engage students in hands-on exploration of the topic, highlighting historical processes and encouraging multiple learning styles.

Books in the New Badger History series

• Digging and Discovery and Teacher's Guide
• Learning from the Land and Teacher's Guide
• Native People of Wisconsin and Teacher's Guide
• They Came to Wisconsin and Teacher's Guide
• Voices and Votes and Teacher's Guide
• Working with Water and Teacher's Guide

Resource Books

For teachers

Engage your students in hands-on exploration of history!

• Mapping Wisconsin History: Teacher's Guide and Student Materials
• Thinking Like a Historian: Rethinking History Instruction
• Water Panthers, Bears and Thunderbirds: Exploring Wisconsin's Effigy Mounds
• Wisconsin's Great Lakes Shipwrecks
• Wisconsin History Highlights: Delving into the Past
• Wisconsin History on Stage: Scripts for Grades 4 through 8

Textbook

Wisconsin: Our State, Our Story 4th Grade History Textbook

This definitive textbook brings history to life. Full color and visually stunning, its classroom-tested text aligns with cross-curricular Wisconsin Model Academic Standards and stimulates critical thinking. Companion materials provide teachers additional tools to reach all learners.

Books in the series

• Student Textbook
• Student Activity Guide
• Teacher's Edition