Christopher Columbus FROM THE PUBLISHER
On October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the New World for the first time. He was the first European to reach South America, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. His journeys of discovery would change the course of world history forever. Did you know that Christopher Columbus: was once in the mapmaking business? was the first European to see a hammock? brought his thirteen-year-old son on his fourth voyage? was marooned on Jamaica? was arrested and brought before the king and queen of Spain?
In Their Own Words: Christopher Columbus tells the exciting story of Columbus's life using the journals he kept while traveling to the New World. Hear Columbus's story as if you were really there.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
Peter and Connie Roop do a nice job in this biography of Christoper Columbus. Their main focus is on the sea voyages Columbus made to the new world in search of the rich Indies. Although Columbus never reached the Indies, he was the first European to reach South America, Central America and the Caribbean Islands. The Roops base most of their book on the journals Columbus kept during his four voyages. This information gives their story authenticity and a clear voice. The reader experiences the difficult sea crossings, the loss of the Santa Maria ship, illness, and many other hardships Columbus and his crew suffered during the many years of their sea travels. The authors manage to convey that although Columbus did not reach the Indies and died thinking he had, this did not diminish his accomplishments. He was a brave explorer who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in quest of new lands that would eventually unite the old and new worlds. Part of the "In Your Own Words" series. 2000, Scholastic, $12.95 and $4.50. Ages 10 up. Reviewer:Della A. Yannuzzi