This series presents 11 figures whose choices had a profound influence on the course of the American Revolution. Ideally suited for middle school students, at 100+ pages, these books are the perfect length for school reports and are fully documented.

Franklin conducted scientific experiments and established many local and national institutions, including a fire company, a library, and a university. He also provided a guiding hand to Thomas Jefferson as he wrote the Declaration of Independence, then served as the budding nation’s most important foreign diplomat during the Revolution. A

Jones joined the Continental Navy to help the colonies in their war against the British. After his superior skills became apparent, he was made a captain.

Paul Revere is famous for his midnight horse ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn the townspeople that the British were coming. His fight for freedom, however, had long before begun with many acts that showed his dissatisfaction with remaining under British rule.

Thomas Paine was a writer and political activist. In 1776, he published the 46-page pamphlet "Common Sense," which urged an immediate declaration of independence on the part of the American colonies. It was widely circulated and had great influence on the thinking of the time.