★ "Mihaly delivers refreshing doses of reality that will deepen any reader's understanding of our nation's complex history and values" - Booklist

★ "A visually dynamic, intellectually rigorous resource that challenges young readers to question historical narratives and recognize bias--essential for social studies curricula and media literacy instruction" - School Library Journal

"Stories can dazzle, and they can deceive. America's Founding Myths teaches young people to practice the art of asking questions -- not to shatter our national ideals, but to provide a sounder foundation for them. Because history, like Oz, is never exactly as it seems" - Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked

"Playful, provocative, and packed with perspective" - Kirkus Reviews

"Best of all, this title not only tackles our complex founding, but encourages media literacy by empowering young people to ask questions and check sources. And really, what could be more American than that?" - Betsy Bird, Librarian, @FuseEight

Uncover the truth behind 15 American history myths in this hilariously bold, infographic deep dive

Have you ever wondered... Did Christopher Columbus REALLY discover America? What REALLY happened at the first Thanksgiving? Did Paul Revere REALLY shout "The British are coming!"? It's time to pull the curtain back on these well-known myths to find out what REALLY happened and where these stories we've heard over and over again came from.

Perfect for history-loving kids and educators looking to teach kids about information literacy, America's Founding Myths is a must-have on any history lover's shelf!

• Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with this exploration of the best-known stories about the founding of the United States.
• Interactive extras including silly speech bubbles, gatefolds, lift-the-flaps, and activities at the back make learning about American history fun and engaging for kids.
• Encourages information literacy by empowering young people to ask questions, think critically and check sources.

Author: Christy Mihaly
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Published: 05/26/2026
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.70lbs
Size: 12.00h x 10.30w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9798888599082


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 04/01/2026
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2026
School Library Journal 04/01/2026 pg. 91

About the Author

Christy Mihaly is an award-winning poet and author of many books for children and teens, including Barefoot Books WATER: A Deep Dive of Discovery. A former lawyer, Christy writes primarily nonfiction, on topics from hayfields to forests and federalism to free speech. She particularly enjoys sharing true stories about history because our best hope for the future lies in understanding our past. Christy lives in Vermont, the fourteenth state, on the traditional Abenaki homeland, N'dakinna.

Marta Sevilla is an illustrator based in Madrid, Spain whose work ranges from picture books to editorial illustration, posters, and surface design. She studied Fine Arts in Spain and Printmaking in Germany, where she first began experimenting with combining images and text. Her work has appeared in publications like The New Yorker, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and El País. She has illustrated many books for children, and has even written some herself. This is her first book with Barefoot Books.