George Washington's World

Reach for this book when your child starts asking 'What else was happening then?' or struggles to see history as a connected web of human stories rather than a dry list of dates. Genevieve Foster crafts a horizontal history that moves away from isolated American events to show how George Washington's life intersected with figures like Catherine the Great, Mozart, and the Qianlong Emperor. It is an expansive look at the 18th century that fosters a sense of global citizenship and intellectual curiosity. Ideal for middle schoolers, it reframes the American Revolution as one part of a vibrant, complex, and rapidly changing world. Parents will value how it encourages critical thinking about leadership, freedom, and the diverse cultures that shaped the modern era.