A History of US is an engaging eleven-volume series by Joy Hakim that brings American history to life. It’s designed for homeschool use, featuring stories from Native Americans to 2008.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests.
What is a history of US?
A History of US is a series by Joy Hakim, who used to be a journalist and teacher. It turns boring textbook history into a fun story. The series has eleven volumes. Ten cover U.S. history in order, starting from Native Americans to the 2008 election. There’s also a Sourcebook with primary documents. Short chapters (3-8 pages) and lots of pictures make it easier to understand. Many homeschool families use it as their main history resource and build extra studies around it.
Grade level flexibility
One great thing about this series is how flexible it is. Parents can read it aloud to younger kids, who enjoy the stories even if they don’t catch everything. Middle schoolers can read on their own and work with study guides. High schoolers can explore deeper using the Sourcebook and analyze history more critically. While the writing is easy to read, it still covers complex topics like slavery and civil rights in a thoughtful way.
Teaching resources
Oxford University Press offers teaching guides with lesson plans, questions for discussion, and fun activities. Student guides have chapter questions and vocabulary exercises. On Teachers Pay Teachers, you can find free and paid resources made by other homeschool families. Some families just use the books; others add timelines, maps, and related books for a complete history curriculum.
A note on perspective
Every history book has its own viewpoint, and single-author works are clearer about it. Joy Hakim loves American ideals but also talks about the country’s issues. Some readers think there’s a liberal bias, while others see a fair view of tough topics. This subjectivity makes the writing engaging and sparks discussion. Use this to help your kids recognize different perspectives and think about various viewpoints.
The bottom line
A History of US is popular with homeschool families for a good reason. Joy Hakim makes American history interesting for young readers without losing depth. The series works for many ages and pairs well with primary sources, historical fiction, and hands-on projects. Like any single viewpoint work, it benefits from parent involvement and discussing different perspectives. If you want a history spine that kids enjoy, this series is a great choice.
