Sometimes the life in colonial America can seem picturesque: no technology, close ties to the nearby community, and local, homemade food to nourish the whole family. However, when you look a bit closer, it's fascinating to see the funny and strange things colonists did and had to deal with, from colonial men paying for a wife to be brought to the colonies for him to the brand-new illnesses that killed many colonists. The main content supports the social studies curriculum and engages even reluctant readers with history information.