With its interesting and approachably written stories, interesting illustrations, colorful cast of characters, fact-rich detail and free online exercises, resources and activities, the Rush Revere series of books can be a more fun, engaging and positive, yet still solidly educational, way of exploring early US history.
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What Are The Rush Revere Books?
The Rush Revere series is a series of history books aimed at kids that was created by late syndicated conservative political pundit Rush Limbaugh and his wife Katheryn.
Through the adventures of a time-traveling history teacher, his students and his talking horse, the books explore notable people, places and events throughout early US history, from the first pilgrims through the American Revolution and beyond.
What Ages or Grades Is Rush Revere Intended For?
By and large, Rush Revere books are aimed at kids ages 8 to 12, or around grades 3 through 6.
With a Lexile Level of about 740 and an ATOS of about 5.4, the books are pretty much right on the money in terms of reading level and complexity for this age range.
That said, the series can, of course, be read and used as an educational resource by students outside of this age/grade range, such as by precocious history-oriented readers and even by older students looking for a less formal and entertaining look into the earlier years of the US.
This broader usability is helped along by the fact that the series is written in an easy to read, almost-folksy manner, uses a good deal of relatable, family-friendly humor and involves a time-traveling plot device that most kids should find at least somewhat gripping.
What Are The Rush Revere Books Like?
There are five books in the Rush Revere series, each of which can be read independently and covers a specific period of early American history, from the landing at Plymouth Rock to the first Presidents and their decisions for the country.
These include:
- Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims
- Rush Revere and the First Patriots
- Rush Revere and the American Revolution
- Rush Revere and the Star Spangled Banner
- Rush Revere and the Presidency
The hardcover editions are illustrated chapter books that are about 200-240 or so pages long and are printed with a kind of decorative, parchment-like background, which is a fun touch and can give the series a historical document-style feeling.
The series is written as historical fiction, meaning the books blend historically important facts, people and places with a fictional underlying story and a colorful cast of fictional characters that we will discuss a little later on.
The books’ writing style is distinctly casual.
Written in the first person, often with something of a folksy charm and quite a bit of humor and dialogue sprinkled here and there, they are easy to read and go through and do a good job at making learning about individuals and events in history a little less stressful and boring.
The books are also richly illustrated, periodically including amusing story-related drawings of the characters in different times, situations and places, recreations of historical documents, reproductions of history-related artwork, photos of fans, explanatory diagrams and so on.
As a result, while perhaps not to every family’s taste and preference (some may prefer a more just-the-facts approach, for example), the Rush Revere series can make history a bit more engaging and interesting to students to go through compared to a traditional textbook lecture.
At the end of the books there are usually some short questions that students can be given, which cover the basic historical facts and the story itself, which means that the books can also be used to help students with their reading comprehension as well their history knowledge, which is always nice.
Interestingly for homeschools, parents can access a variety of related and free materials for each book on the Rush Limbaugh website that can help integrate the series into history learning in a more formal way.
These resources include things like chapter summaries for parents, short answer questions (with answer keys), longer discussion questions, timeline work, and a number of workbook-style exercises and activities such as matching games and word scrambles.
While perhaps not a full history curriculum per se, these resources can offer a lot of different ways to reinforce key facts and learning and get kids thinking more deeply about what they’ve read, which is always helpful.
What Are The Stories About and How Do They Teach History?
As we’ve mentioned, the Rush Revere books are historical fiction titles that take the point of view of Russell “Rush” Revere, a history teacher at Manchester Middle School who bears a more than passing resemblance to Rush Limbaugh himself.
Rush is joined in his adventures by his faithful talking, time-traveling horse (who can also turn invisible) and friend, Liberty, as well as a cast of kids drawn from Mrs. Borrington’s Honors History class, Tommy, Elizabeth, Freedom and Cam.
Led by Rush, the cast periodically travel back in time to specific and pivotal periods in early American history where they explore important places and interact with important historical figures, such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, Squanto and Betsy Ross.
The books typically have the cast travel back and forth from the “present” day to the past as they progress.
While perhaps a bit jarring at times for younger readers compared to single time jump, this narrative style allows students to explore multiple important places and events across several years (or even decades) within a given historical period.
For example, Rush Revere and the American Revolution starts off with a jump to just before the war itself, exploring life under British rule and the build up to the revolution, and then goes on to explore several important battles (Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill) before ultimately concluding with the writing of the Declaration of Independence.
In this way, kids are introduced to a variety of important historical facts and events and generally get a good idea of what contemporary life was like during these times.
As they read, Rush Revere, as the teacher and guide through history, tends to highlight and emphasize the importance of certain people’s actions and events, stressing their importance to history and often explaining how they relate to or have influenced the values, ideas and ideals that make up modern US society.
Interestingly, the books also touch on a number of real life situations and issues that many kids face, with one or more of the characters drawing upon the lessons they learn in history to come to terms or learn to deal with difficult issues or personal situations, such as school bullying or the complex emotions of growing up in a military family.
Although not directly related to the study of history, the underlying message the books provide can be very positive and inspirational and can make the series a little more generally useful as an educational resource and, in our opinion, a little more relevant and inspiring for kids.
Our Thoughts
Overall, we feel that the Rush Revere books can be an interesting and very useful history resource for homeschooling families.
The stories themselves are interesting, often action-packed, draw upon an amusing, kid-friendly cast of characters and feature a cool sci-fi twist that can really grab a child’s attention compared to the usual assortment of bland, elementary-school history texts.
Further, we feel that the use of a first person narrative and a very personable style of writing can really help bring historical figures and events to life.
The various interactions that Rush and the kids have with icons of US history, such as George Washington, Samuel Adams or even King George III, serves to ultimately humanize them and contextualize their achievements, which in turn can transform them from mythical legends featured on coins and statues to real people that students can better understand and hopefully learn from.
This is, of course, helped along by the ample use of warm and family-friendly humor in the series that, while not always the most cutting edge or likely to have kids rolling on the floor in gales of laughter, can make reading about history a little more enjoyable and less intimidating.
Given that the series is written by one of the most famous conservative American media pundits, Rush Limbaugh, it is perhaps unsurprising to note that the Rush Revere books have a particular outlook and point of view when it comes to US history.
In general, the series presents US history, important figures and their accomplishments in a very positive and usually upbeat way, placing particular emphasis on the importance of individual liberty, democracy, and the free market and how their effects have positively shaped the present.
With that said, on the whole we feel that the series manages to stay quite even-handed and nuanced in its exploration of history.
The books present all the key facts and dates one might expect in a very accurate and educationally-useful manner and, although it strives to instill pride in American history, it also doesn’t shy away from touching on some difficult subjects, such as Native American suffering or slavery.
Furthermore, while one of the core themes of the series is American exceptionalism (something of a loaded term), the concept is actually defined and used in a very positive and broadly appealing way.
Rather than implying a kind of cultural superiority, the series uses the term to imply that the particular events, ideas and individuals who laid the foundation of America have made the country different from those that existed before it – an idea that we feel is something most families should be able to get behind to one degree or another.
As a result, ultimately we feel that, although the series will probably never be considered a truly neutral text for the study of US history, its study of history can be seen as a fair and factually-rich take that can be very useful and broadly appealing to homeschooling families.
With that said, the series may not be the best fit for those looking for a more progressive or critical analysis of US history, such as those more interested in exploring pre-colonial and colonial history from a Native American or African American perspective for example.
Are The Rush Revere Books Secular?
The Rush Revere series is more or less religiously neutral.
While there isn’t anything that might offend religious families, and they may from time to time mention God (which should be unsurprising given the period and subject matter) the books are really focused on US history and its figures and events rather than any particular theological or religious discussions or topics.
As a result, we feel that Rush Revere should be appropriate for most homeschooling families.
The only issue may be for families looking for a specifically faith-based history resource with strong related activities and learning components, such as Notgrass.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Fun and well-written literature-based learning
Rush Revere books are written in a casual, humorous manner with an unusual and interesting cast of characters that can really bring history to life and make reading about it more fun.
Fact rich
At the same time, the books stay true to their goal of teaching history and convey a great number of essential facts about early US history in an accurate and even-handed manner.
Makes important events and figures easy for kids to understand
As Rush and his friends explore history, they come into contact and interact with a number of important figures in US history, from Ben Franklin to George Washington himself, which can serve to humanize and make these legendary individuals and their accomplishments a lot more understandable and even relatable to kids.
Nicely Illustrated
The Rush Revere books are also wonderfully illustrated.
In addition to full-color pictures of its characters in various situations and places, it also offers readers a chance to look at important historical documents, drawings, sketches, paintings that can help them better understand the people, places and events that they are reading about.
Free activities and resources available to deepen learning
As well as some questions located at the end of each book, parents and students can enjoy a variety of free educational resources (such as maps, timelines and workbook-style activities) linked to each story on the Rush Limbaugh website that can help formalize and strengthen learning.
Surprisingly even-handed and broadly appealing
Although its creator is known as a political commentator and while the book takes a distinctly positive view of the US and its place on the world stage, the series is surprisingly even handed in its approach to history, remaining focused on delivering accurate facts and never shying from bringing up challenging topics.
Cons
Not a neutral look at history
As might be imagined, the Rush Revere series is not really a neutral textbook approach to history and does present US history and its leading figures in a positive, somewhat upbeat and inspiring way.
The jumps back and forth in time may confuse some kids
Each book in the series sees Rush Revere and his friends go back and forth between the present day and the past, which may be a little confusing for younger students at times.
Who Is Rush Revere Ideal For
Homeschooling families looking for a fun, literature-based resource for history
The Rush Revere book teach history and introduce facts through a series of engaging historical fiction stories, which can make it a great addition for those who favor a literature based approach to learning or who are looking to add some living books to a pre-existing history curriculum.
Families interested in a positive, traditional portrayal of early US history
The Rush Revere books view leading figures and events in US history, such as its first presidents and leading thinkers, as inspirational and view the core ideals of the American revolution, such as individual freedom and democracy, as positive values for students to be inspired by.
As a result, it can be a good fit for homeschools looking for such an approach.
Students who have a hard time connecting to history through traditional textbooks
Rush Revere books are fact-filled, easy to read and, perhaps more importantly, fun to read, which can make them a more useful and appealing resource for students who hate traditional history texts and lectures.
Fans of Rush Limbaugh
It sort of goes without saying but the series was created by late, popular American pundit Rush Limbaugh and can therefore be a welcome addition to his fan’s home libraries.
Who Is It Not Ideal For
Those looking for a progressive or critical analysis of early US history
Although it strives to be as even-handed as possible and is quite accurate when it comes to its facts, the Rush Revere series offers a fairly positive look at the US, its leadership and the concept of exceptionalism, and so may not be the best option for those looking for a more critical examination of early US history.
Those looking for a complete US history program
Rush Revere books mainly focus on early US history and doesn’t really touch on pre-colonial history, the Civil War and Westward expansion, early modern or modern US history.
Consequently, the books can’t really be used for a comprehensive examination of US history.
Price
Note: Prices correct as of writing, all prices in USD
How much Rush Revere books cost really depends on the retailer, but in general hardcover editions tend to cost about $21.00.
Complete sets of all five books are usually available, as well, costing about $100 or so.
Or
Are The Books Worth It?
At the end of the day, we feel that the Rush Revere series of history books can be a valuable addition to the right homeschool.
The series offers a fun, positive look at early US history that can both spark a love of history learning and get kids inspired by the events and people that helped shape the country they live in.
At the same time, the books stay historically accurate, factual and relatively even-handed, providing students with a fairly comprehensive look at history that can augment just about any pre-existing homeschool history curriculum.
As children’s historical fiction novels, the books are also well-written, with interesting and relatable time-travel-based storylines and a good dose of humor and adventure mixed into each title, and are beautifully illustrated with a wide variety of appealing pictures, paintings and story-based artwork.
Finally, homeschooling parents can make immediate use of a variety of free and useful educational materials located on the company website that can help formalize and reinforce a student’s learning.
Bottom Line
With its interesting and approachably written stories, interesting illustrations, colorful cast of characters, fact-rich detail and free online exercises, resources and activities, the Rush Revere series of books can be a more fun, engaging and positive, yet still solidly educational, way of exploring early US history.
Jennifer Keenes is a writer and a new mom living in Florida. She studied education and, prior to becoming a freelance writer, worked as a substitute teacher at the elementary and middle school level. She is a big fan of the beach, working out and homeschooling her two daughters.