Celebrate America's 250th birthday in 2026 with the library in the best way we know how - by reading! Read a book that matches our America 250 theme every month and earn a virtual Beanstack badge.
If you prefer a paper log, visit any participating branch library to pick up an America 250 bookmark and commemorative sticker to mark your journey as you read along with us this year.
Fill up your Beanstack challenge with badges or your paper log with stickers and earn a commemorative prize at the end of the year.
Each month, log into your account on Beanstack for the release of the new theme. Also visit this webpage for the new theme and reading recommendations.
America 250 Reading Recommendations
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Three Roads to Gettysburg
An epic, revelatory account of the Battle of Gettysburg, where George Meade, Lincoln's unexpected choice to lead the Union army, defeated Robert E. Lee and changed the course of the Civil War, from the award-winning author of James Monroe: A Life
By mid-1863, the Civil War, with Northern victories in the West and Southern triumphs in the East, seemed unwinnable for Abraham Lincoln. Robert E. Lee’s bold thrust into Pennsylvania, if successful, could mean Southern independence. In a desperate countermove, Lincoln ordered George Gordon Meade—a man hardly known and hardly known in his own army—to take command of the Army of the Potomac and defeat Lee’s seemingly invincible Army of Northern Virginia. Just three days later, the two great armies collided at a small town called Gettysburg. The epic three-day battle that followed proved to be the turning point in the war, and provided Lincoln the perfect opportunity to give the defining speech of the war—and a challenge to each generation of Americans to live by.
These men came from different parts of the country and very different upbringings: Robert E. Lee, son of the aristocratic and slaveholding South; George Gordon Meade, raised in the industrious, straitlaced North; and Abraham Lincoln, from the rowdy, untamed West. Lincoln’s election to the presidency in 1860 split the country in two and triggered the Civil War. Lee and Meade found themselves on opposite sides, while Lincoln had the Sisyphean task of reuniting the country.
With a colorful supporting cast second to none, Three Roads to Gettysburg tells the story of these consequential men, this monumental battle, and the immortal address that has come to define America. -
1861
From an award-winning historian and New York Times bestselling author, a gripping, fly-on-the-wall account of the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's decision to go to war against the Confederacy.
1861: The Lost Peace is the story of President Lincoln's difficult and courageous decision at a time when the country wrestled with deep moral questions of epic proportions.
Through Jay Winik's singular reporting and storytelling, readers will learn about the extraordinary Washington Peace Conference at the Willard Hotel to avert cataclysmic war. They will observe the irascible and farsighted Senator JJ Crittenden, the tireless moderate seeking a middle way to peace. Lincoln himself called Crittenden "a great man" even as Lincoln jousted with him. Readers will glimpse inside Lincoln's cabinet--the finest in history--which rivaled the executive in its authority, a fact too often forgotten, and witness a parade of statesmen frenetically grasping for peace rather than the spectacle of a young nation slowly choking itself to death. A perfect read for history buffs, with timely overtones to our current political climate. -
Lincoln's Road to War
Follow Lincoln’s day-by-day path from peacemaker to war leader as the Union edges toward Civil War.
The months after the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, between March 4 and May 3, 1861, mark one of the most significant periods in American history. Antagonism between the North and South, which had been intensifying since Lincoln’s election as president in November 1860, only worsened when the president-elect was sworn into office. Lincoln’s Road to War is a day-by-day account unpacking each day’s events, both personal and political, from Lincoln’s inauguration through the attack on Fort Sumter and towards the march to the Battle of Bull Run/Manassas.- March 4, 1861: In his inauguration address, President Lincoln did his best to be reconciliatory, advising Southern secessionists that there would be no war unless they were the aggressors. But he also made it clear that the Union was indivisible, and that secession meant anarchy.
- April 12, 1861: During the early morning hours, rebel artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter, situated on a man-made island in the entrance to Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. This was immediately followed by President Lincoln’s call for 75,000 volunteers from state militias, along with his order to blockade all Southern ports.
From the first days of his Presidency to a tacit admission of the real probability of war on May 3, 1861, readers follow alongside Lincoln in this daily journal that captures his evolution from an inexperienced, newly installed president trying desperately to avoid a war, to a reluctant commander-in-chief resolved to defend Fort Sumter against rebel aggression, and finally to a war president determined to see the fighting through to the end and to restore the Union. In this revealing and enlightening journey through the progression of Lincoln’s perspectives and politics, readers glean intimate insights into the President, the man, and the country on the precipice of Civil War.
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Junie: A GMA Book Club Pick
GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • As the Civil War looms, a young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost in this “poignant story of love, family and friendship [that] celebrates the power of liberation” (People).
“An enrapturing tale of survival . . . Eckstine has poured a ton of heart into her characters.”—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“The richly textured prose quickly pulled me into [Junie’s] treacherous yet magical world.”—Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake
Sixteen years old and enslaved since she was born, Junie has spent her life on Bellereine Plantation in Alabama, cooking and cleaning alongside her family, and tending to the white master’s daughter, Violet. Her daydreams are filled with poetry and faraway worlds, while she spends her nights secretly roaming through the forest, consumed with grief over the sudden death of her older sister, Minnie.
When wealthy guests arrive from New Orleans, hinting at marriage for Violet and upending Junie’s life, she commits a desperate act—one that rouses Minnie’s spirit from the grave, tethered to this world unless Junie can free her. She enlists the aid of Caleb, the guests’ coachman, and their friendship soon becomes something more. Yet as long-held truths begin to crumble, she realizes Bellereine is harboring dark and horrifying secrets that can no longer be ignored.
With time ticking down, Junie begins to push against the harsh current that has controlled her entire life. As she grapples with an increasingly unfamiliar world in which she has little control, she is forced to ask herself: When we choose love and liberation, what must we leave behind? -
The Courier's Wife
A heartrending novel of courage and resilience inspired by the true story of a female Civil War spy
September 1862. When war ignites, Hattie Logan escapes her privileged family and prim finishing school to join Allen Pinkerton's spy agency, burning to make a difference for the Union. As one of Pinkerton's mailroom girls, she uncovers secrets that could change the course of the war.
Yet Hattie longs to do more. Dispatched as the courier's wife, she ventures behind enemy lines. There, she finds herself falling in love with the man pretending to be her husband. But from the shadows of her past, a secret threatens her plans-and her life.
A sweeping story of bravery and determination, brimming with rich historical detail and unforgettable characters who will tug at your heart. Fans of Lisa Wingate, Martha Hall Kelly, and Kate Quinn will love this novel of intrigue and hope.
"This spellbinding novel transforms history into a powerful story of a woman's courage in the face of adversity." Readers Favorite
"An involving tale about Civil War intrigue, embroidered with rich historical detail." The Bookmonger
"A first-class novel which represents the strength and courage of so many women during that era, those whose moral character and determination to face danger and stand up for a cause matched any man serving on the front lines of the war" The Historical Fiction Company
"Compelling female characters and vivid settings" The Historical Novel Society
"Fans who enjoy historical spy tales, civil war drama, and romantic adventures will find plenty to entice them in this great read!" InD'tale Magazine
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When the Mountains Wept
Captivating Civil War Fiction Inspired by Historical Events.
"I had no idea what I was in for. I could not put this book down. It (When the Mountains Wept) was so riveting! It was beautiful. It was heart wrenching. It's so perfect."- Redeeming Lit Podcast
Award-winning-author Kendy Pearson "brings to life the Kanawha Valley's explosive Civil War history in this multi-faceted jewel of a tale inspired by true events."-Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author of The Rose and the Thistle
"Gifted storyteller Kendy Pearson makes this scene spring to life with her vivid storytelling, every character so expertly sculpted that I found myself missing them when I closed the cover."-Karen Barnett, Award-winning author of When Stone Wings Fly
Western Virginia's Kanawha Valley is a hotbed of rebellion tensions and mixed allegiances.
Amid talk of war, Augusta Dabney tends her younger siblings and dying father. But when hatred sparks tragedy, peace is but a shattered memory. Heartbroken and desperate, Augusta searches for a way to protect all she holds dear.
Defying family and friends, Dr. James Hill declines a prestigious commission in the Confederate Army to join the Union cause as a Regimental Surgeon. When the Dabney farm becomes a crossroads of colliding forces, Major Hill commandeers their barn for a hospital.
He is running from his legacy, seeking penance for his past.
She is desperate to preserve hers, at any cost.
As a wise, former slave nurtures James's battered faith, cynicism crumbles, and James discovers grace and belonging with Augusta and her family unlike any he's ever known, even as he must face the horrors of war and the evil it breeds.
But when James comes face to face with his past, secrets unravel until deception ends in disaster, leaving Augusta with only one option. And it is unthinkable.
The Award-winning series - West Virginia: Born of Rebellion's Storm
When the Mountains WeptWhen Heaven Thunders In Tempest Winds (spring 2025)
"With excellent attention to details of life in the 1860s and historical accuracy, the story brings the reader face to face with the personal struggles of Southerners in an untenable situation. It's not a story to be rushed through, and I highly recommend "living" in this book for a while."-Susan Pope Sloan, Award-winning author of the "Rescued Hearts of the Civil War" series.
"As West Virginia sat perched between the Union and the Confederacy, neighbors were forced to make difficult choices and kinfolk found themselves across from one another in battle ... Augusta and James stole my heart, and I rooted for them from page one until the very end."-Karen Barnett, Award-winning author of the Vintage Park Novels
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Lincoln's Lady Spymaster
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
In this gripping Civil War history, Fox Business's Gerri Willis charts the making of a spymaster genius.
Wealthy Southern belle Elizabeth Van Lew had it all. Money, charm, wit--the most elegant mansion in Richmond.
So why risk everything to become a Union spy?
The answer was simple: freedom. Right in the heart of the Confederate capital, Elizabeth played the society lady while building a secret espionage network--the Richmond spy ring--of slaves, Unionists, and prisoners of war.
It would cost her almost everything. Flouting society's expectations for women in the Civil War, Elizabeth infiltrated prisons and defied public opinion. Her story is filled with vivid personalities, including:
- Assassin John Wilkes Booth
- Washington socialite and Southern spy Rose Greenhow
- Prison escape artist Thomas Rose
- Cavalry hero Ulrich Dahlgren
- Black spy Mary Bowser who infiltrated the Confederate White House
From grave robbery to a bold voyage across enemy lines, Elizabeth's escapades only grew more daring. But it paid off.
By the war's end, she had agents in both the Confederate War Department and the Richmond White House, and her couriers provided General Ulysses S. Grant with crucial, daily intelligence for his final assault.
In this meticulously researched biography, Gerri Willis uncovers the Southern abolitionist heroine that the Lost Cause buried--an unbelievable tale of one woman's courage, resistance, and liberation. Heartfelt, thrilling, and inspiring, this work of women's history, Lincoln's Lady Spymaster, restores a forgotten hero to her rightful place as an American icon.
Many of our branch library locations will have special events, presenters, and book displays to celebrate our challenges. Stop by anytime to check them out! Click here to find our branch library locations and hours.
"Voices of Freedom" is an opportunity for Citizen Scientists (that's you!) to learn from transcription experts at the Smithsonian and contribute to real, ongoing research about post-Civil war American history.
Disclaimer(s)
Internet & Technology Disclaimer
Participants may use internet-enabled library devices and access program-related websites or apps. All users must follow KCPL’s Electronic Resources and Usage Policy, including compliance with Children's Internet Protection Act. Contact the program administrator with any questions before the program.
Registration Required
Registration for this program is required due to limited space and materials. If you cannot attend, please call the library to cancel your registration so the spot may open up to others. A registration will be cancelled and a program spot made available to other patrons if the registrant does not arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled program time.
Accessibility
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org
Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.
Food Allergies
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.
Photo & Video
We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.
Celebrate Earth Day 2026 with us by helping the researchers at Snapshot Wisconsin monitor wildlife through trail camera photos.
Disclaimer(s)
Internet & Technology Disclaimer
Participants may use internet-enabled library devices and access program-related websites or apps. All users must follow KCPL’s Electronic Resources and Usage Policy, including compliance with Children's Internet Protection Act. Contact the program administrator with any questions before the program.
Registration Required
Registration for this program is required due to limited space and materials. If you cannot attend, please call the library to cancel your registration so the spot may open up to others. A registration will be cancelled and a program spot made available to other patrons if the registrant does not arrive within 10 minutes of the scheduled program time.
Accessibility
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org
Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.
Food Allergies
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.
Photo & Video
We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.
A reading challenge is a fun way to challenge yourself to read more, or to read books on a new topic that you may not have considered before! Beanstack allows readers to register for challenges available to their age group, log their reading, and track their progress.
Reading challenge themes range from our annual Summer Library Club to Mental Health Awareness Month. Sometimes we even host movie-watching or writing challenges. There’s something for everyone!
Create a Beanstack account and watch the library calendar for challenge announcements. When a challenge is available for your age group, register and track your progress as you go.
