Literature List

1. A Child in St. Augustine in 1740 by Susan R. Parker

http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00025126/00001/1j
This resource would be great as a read aloud for elementary children as it is a bit advanced for
their levels. What is so nice about this excerpt is that it depicts the lives of children back when
St. Augustine was a Spanish town. It would be a great piece of text to use alongside any sources
that talk about events and people in St. Augustine during this time so that the students can see
themselves in the time period and understand how their lives would be at this time. It allows for
an easily accessible alternative point of view.
2. 1492 Words & music by Nancy Schimmel
The lyrics to this song depict the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the Natives who were
already living here. It would be great used as a simple introduction to a lesson on the Native
people who were present when he discovered America.
3. Mullet on the Beach: The Minorcans of Florida, 1768-1788 by Patricia C. Griffin
This is a great resource about this history of St. Augustine and the story of the Minorcans. This
could be used as a read aloud for the whole class to listen to, or some passages could be pulled
out for students to have access to individually. Either way this is a very informational text that
provides a lot of great insight into St. Augustine during this time.
4. St. Augustine: Americas Oldest City by Eugene Lyon
Lyon, E. (1995). St. Augustine: Americas Oldest City. Cobblestone Magazine, Nov
1995, 2-4.

This article is a great additional resource to a lesson on the founding of St. Augustine. It would
be best used as a supplement to a primary source but it has great information and is accessible to
young readers.
5. Letter of Menendez Marquez (Some Spanish Accounts of Drakes Raid on St. Augustine)
This article is a reaction to Sir Francis Drakes Raid on St Augustine from the view of a Spaniard
who was living there. It is an easy letter to read and provides a great alternative viewpoint to the
attack that occurred in 1586.
6. Fort Mose: And the Story of the Man Who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial
America Glennette T. Turner
Author Glennette Tilley Turner has written a comprehensive book about Fort Mose, the first free
black settlement in America, and Francisco Menendez, an African slave who was appointed by
the Spanish governor to be a militia commander. The book follows his life from his birth into
the Mandingo tribe, capture, and enslavement in South Carolina, battles with Native Americans
in the Yamasee War, and finally his arrival at Fort Mose, where he successfully petitioned for his
freedom. By providing details about Menendez, such as his fluency in several languages, the
story humanizes colonial slaves. The book contains many archival photos
7. St. Augustine Tristan B. Binns
This book is an illustrated introduction to St. Augustine and its history. This is a good choice for
younger readers.
8. The Majesty of St. Augustine Steven Brooke

This is more of a guide book to St. Augustine. It contains brief descriptions of each of the
structures and sites of St. Augustine. It might be useful to use before a visit.
9. Castillo de San Marcos Charles W. Maynard
This book is a brief history of the building of Castillo de San Marcos and its use as a fort and a
prison under four different flags. While there are some archival pictures, the book is primarily
illustrated with large beautiful photographs of modern-day Castillo de San Marcos.
10. Historic St. Augustine Sandra and Susan Steen
This book covers the history of St. Augustine from its founding in 1565 to the present day. This
look at the city's history also explores much of the history of Florida and the United States.
While it covers 25 major historical events, it also provides a history of what the lives of St.
Augustine inhabitants were like over time. It is illustrated with archival photos, current pictures
of the city, and historical reenactors.
11. Voices in St. Augustine by Jane R. Wood
Thirteen-year-old Joey Johnson hears voices. Only he can't find the people who belong to them.
His curiosity leads him on a quest where he learns more than just history about the Nation's
Oldest City. He discovers he has a special connection to the past -- something that changes his
life forever.
12. Fort Mose: And the Story of the Man Who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial
America by Glennette Tilley Turner
This picturebook tells the story of Fort Mose, which was founded in St. Augustine, Florida, and
was the first free African settlement to legally exist in what later became the United States. Fort

Mose was not only the first free black settlement, but it was also the most southern link of the
Underground Railroad as a haven of refuge, just as cities in Canada were the northern most link.
13. Letters of Montiano Siege of St. Augustine: Spanish Account of the Battle of Fort Mose,
June 1740.
In 1740 Governor James Oglethorpe of Georgia tried to capture the town of St. Augustine. His
troops seized the free black settlement of Fort Mose, but the Spanish counterattacked. Here are
two different first-hand accounts of the eventsone from the Spanish side, one from the English
side.
14. Mission St. Augustine: A Scavenger Hunt Adventure In Floridas Ancient City by
Catherine Aragon
This book is a spy-themed scavenger hunt around the city of St. Augustine. Children are asked to
explore various historical sites around St. Augustine. At each site, they must find certain pieces
of information or historical artifacts. Once the item/site has been found, it is checked off a list
and the child can read more about the artifact/site in the book, as well as look at historical
pictures.
15. Pedro Menndez de Avils writes to the King of Spain
(September 11, 1565)
Available through the University of Floridas George A. Smathers Library, this is an
extract of a letter written by Pedro Menendez de Aviles to the King of Spain about his
discovery of St. Augustine. It is a translated version of a letter written in Spanish and is
only an extract of the original letter, but the full original letter is also available on the
website.
16. Life in St. Augustine: Picture in the Past, by Sally Senzell Isaacs

Isaacs book creates a vision of everyday life of early settlers in St. Augustine. This includes
activities, food, schools, and other amenities they had access to.
17. Americas Real First Thanksgiving: St. Augustine, Florida, September 8, 1565, by Robyn
Gioia
Students will learn about how the real first settlers in North America celebrated the real first
Thanksgiving. The Spanish, led by Pedro Menendez, alongside the Timucua, the native people of
Florida, had a feast just like the Pilgrims and the Indians. This book teaches children about both
the Spanish and the Timucua, their foods, and their interactions. Something extra the book
provides that could be particularly useful in the class is a recipe for cocido, a Spanish stew that
was most likely eaten at the first Thanksgiving.
18. The Settling of St. Augustine, by Janet Riehecky
This book, from the World Almanac Library, teaches children the history of St. Augustine. It
includes not only how the colony was developed but also its impact on the Timucuan Indians
19. Colonial Life For Children: St. Augustine, Kevin J. Kostic; Schlessinger Media; Produced
and Directed by Summer Productions
Children will learn about the early life in St. Augustine, especially the Spanish explorers, settlers
and colony.
20. The Colony of Saint Augustine (readers theater)
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Colony-of-Saint-Augustine-Readers-TheatreScript-2054253

This is a two page script for up to 16 students with lines for all to speak at once and/or in solos. It
will help them review information about the settlers and the colony.