Historical Trauma for Children
A compendium of the Dear America and Dear Canada books.
created by clubby
last updated November, 2025
Comments
Wow, I totally forgot about these books! I only remember reading My Heart is on the Ground in elementary school. It was my first exposure to residential schools but I didn't realize what that piece of U.S. history really meant until I was an adult.
yes!!! i’d never actually heard of these books til a few years ago but now i’m slowly making my way through them. they’re so so excellent at combining history and narrative storytelling. (as someone who would like to be an educator in some form i think these books would be a wonderful way to teach children about history while also keeping them entertained)
never too young for historical trauma 🙂↕️
we've all got a favorite historical tragedy...and i feel like these books might have sparked some of them
Apparently there will be more Dear America books coming out next year! Many re-releases, but Scholastic announced there will be new ones too. More trauma! (yayyyy - haha)
NO WAY!!! OMG I'M SO EXCITED
The Royal Diaries were my absolute favorite. Especially the one about the Queen of Hawaii. That one should be required reading for every child in America.
Oh yes! I had and loved that one too!
i haven’t explored much into The Royal Diaries (only the Anastasia one) but I will for sure have to add the Queen of Hawaii one to my list! (I’ve been interested in learning more about the Hawaii government prior to the American government taking over so I feel like this is a good starting point/introduction.)
The other one I really enjoyed was the one about Sondok, the queen from Korea.
I hadn't heard of these books before but I LOVE the concept of books designed to trauma-teach children 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Omg yes these books along with the American girl series were all like - here is trauma an girlhood to varying degrees! Ahhh childhood. Isn’t it amazing that I read a ton of these then grew up to be a trauma therapist 😬😬😬
omg yes!!! these and the american girl books are the definition of historical trauma lol. listen the girls in these books DEFINITELY needed some trauma therapy
Dearest Clubby, What a delightful list! Now I can once more engage in an exploration of girlhood and childhood trauma. Thank you for doing the Lord's work. Ever grateful, Sailorsoftgirl
P.S. you've inspired me to catalog another series in Scholastic's line of works intended to traumatize children.
oh hell yeah!!! i will be on the lookout 👀👀👀
Dearest sailorsoftgirl, I am most happy to be of service! My most beloved activity is reading the odd and traumatizing books published for children. Thank YOU for the sweet comment and for the lovely list of The Royal Diaries books. Forever yours (in historical fiction for young and old), Clubby
the way in which this dug up DEEP core memories for me 😂
Same 🤣 some of these definitely sparked some odd interests in elementary school me LOL!
Omg I have never heard or knew about this series before. I'm wondering, are these nonfiction and based on real people, or are these books fiction? Can you kindly explain a little for me 😆
Are you in for a wild ride!! So these books are historical fiction, covering a specific historical event through the eyes of a child, usually a young girl. Sometimes the child in question was an actual person and the book will utilize whatever historical documentation is available from their life, but with the exception of details surrounding the historic event, the account is largely a work of fiction.
Really?? My gosh- this is so exciting. It's like a whole new world to me, if I'm being honest. I feel like this is such a great idea to share a story or history! I just hope every country have this idea before! Imagine what sort of historical events that we can read and learn now. There are a lot of books to read from this! Is there any specific book I have to start with or do you have recommendations for me?😆😆
You can read them in any order but many people choose to read them in chronological or publication order. Luckily, if you choose either of those options the first book is the same: A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple, Mayflower, 1620.
Alright, that's wonderful. Thanks so much for the advice! Hope I'll be able to pick it up real soon 😆
Omg stooop I thought I was over these 😭
right in the childhood lolllllllll
oh wow throwback!
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