Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland

Reach for this book when your middle schooler begins asking deep questions about how we know what we know about the past, or when they show a fascination with forensics and 'CSI' style science. Written in Bone uses the real world application of forensic anthropology to uncover the lives of early Chesapeake Bay settlers and enslaved people whose stories were never written in history books. By examining skeletal remains, the author bridges the gap between cold science and human empathy, making it a profound choice for kids who want to understand the physical realities of early American history and the systemic injustices of the era. It is emotionally grounding and intellectually rigorous, perfect for the 10 to 14 age range.