Editorial Review

The harrowing survival story of English explorer Sir Ernest Shackletonand the ill-fated Read more

Reviews (21)

Highly recommended!
This book exposes the hardships and courage needed to endure two years in the Antarctic with none of the technological advances that we have available to us now.The author does an excellent job of introducing us to the captain and some of the crew. She draws us into their world as their adventure slowly changed into a heroic tale of survival.I used it with sixth graders and found lots of material to tie it into the California Language Arts Standards.Great book for adults and middle and upper school students.

Pictures make this story come alive!
This amazing story was made all the better for me with the pictures that were included in the book.I read parts of this book to sixth graders, and they loved seeing the pictures as I read the text.The straight forward story was great to read too.I've read other accounts of this adventure and thoroughly enjoyed this one the most.

Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World
Shipwreck at the bottom of the world was a very interesting book.I learned a lot about how it is hard to be part of a ships crew.I also learned about how cold the world really is and how to survive.I espically liked the part about the whales blubber and how they burn it to keep warm. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1914-1917)    2. 1874-1922    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Endurance (Ship)    6. History - Exploration & Discovery    7. Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Shackleton, Ernest Henry,    11. Sir,    12. Explorers & discoverers    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Exploration & Discovery    14. Polar regions    15. c 1900 - c 1914   

Reviews (1)

Comments on The North Pole Was Here: Puzzles and Perils at the Top of the World
While intended for a young audience this serves as a very basic introduction to Arctic exploration and scientific study. Scientific and political issues mentioned could have been a good springboard for young adults to understand that scientific methods can serve as a process to follow when trying to answer difficult questions. Additionally, it is unfortunate that Mr. Revkin did not include even a passing mention of Dr. John Rae (Fatal Passage). This is a good book to provoke discussion and does little to answer the "big" questions.Mr. Revkin also might consider using a paradigm from Paracelsus that all substances are toxic - its the dose that differentiates the poison. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Exploration & Discovery    2. Arctic regions    3. General    4. Description and travel    5. Juvenile literature    6. North Pole    7. Revkin, Andrew    8. Travel    9. Juvenile Travel    10. People & Places - Polar Regions    11. Science & Nature - Environmental Science & Eco Logy    12. History - Exploration & Discovery    13. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Reviews (6)

this is a fabulous book
I used this book with my homeschool curriculum and my children loved it, the pictures are great.the content of this book helps to bring everyone for the journey coming from the eyes of such a lovable Newfoundland.

Seaman's Journal
As a middle school teacher, I highly recommend this book not only for a classroom, but also for pleasure reading at home.A wonderful story told through the eyes of the beloved, Newfoundland of Meriwether Lewis on their historic journey west.The book presents acurate historical data and wonderful illustrations that would engage anyone who loves adventure and dogs.
Second graders like it!
I read and enjoyed this book, and a friend who teaches second grade read it to her class and they loved it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Preschool    4. Dogs    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Exploration & Discoveries    7. Historical - United States - 19th Century    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Lewis and Clark Expedition (18    10. Seaman (Dog)    11. Explorers & discoverers   

Reviews (2)

8-10 page bios on the explorers
This book contains short biographies of 8 important explorers who "discovered" the Americas.These are ideal for the teacher who wants to know more than the textbook.This is also an excellent resource to use in class for students to learn more about the explorers.Students could use this resource in order to create "baseball" cards about the explorers.Or simply to use for students who want to know more about the explorers they learn about in class.The map inside the front cover is one that every student should have in his or her Social Studies notebook.

Explorers Revealed
Teachers and intermediate aged students will find this book full of interesting information about many well known explorers.What they won't find are exaggerated claims, found in some social studies text books, ofthe bravery and importance of well known explorers.Written in interestingprose, each chapter of this book reveals the foibles, faults and mission ofan explorer.A valuable resource for teachers, this book will help balancedry, older or current textbook writing that rarely hints at the darker sideof history.Students will be surprised by the human qualities, both lightand dark, of these historical figures.This book provides information butallows them to make up their own mind about the importance of theseexplorers' role in history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Explorers    6. History - Exploration & Discovery    7. Juvenile Nonfiction    8. Juvenile literature    9. History    10. Reference works   

Reviews (1)

A comprehensive reference to exploration
College-level library collections seeking a comprehensive reference to exploration would do well to consider the Encyclopedia Of Exploration: a 2-volume set developed and co-authored by the team of Carl Waldman, Alan Wexler, and Jon Cunningham, devoted to the world history of exploration from biographies of major and lesser-known explorers to histories, chronologies, and national interests. Volume 1, The Explorers, packs in biographical references - almost a thousand entries - with indexes organized chronologically and by relevant occupation, country of nationality, and more. Each explorer receives about six paragraphs of detail ranging from early life to exploration achievement and motivation. Volume 2, Places, Technologies And Cultural Trends, surveys the technical, social, culture and geographic aspects of world exploration, providing A-Z entries emphasizing factors determining mission success or failure, and including maps, charts, discussions of exploration companies and societies, geographical barriers and more. Cross-references connect the two volumes and help readers connect explorers with places.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    5. Discoveries in geography    6. Encyclopedias    7. Explorers    8. History    9. History - Exploration & Discovery    10. History: World    11. Voyages and travels    12. World - General    13. Geographical discovery & exploration    14. Reference works   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Biography
This excellent biography of Galileo effectively relates the cultural view toward science at the time. While the church then had staunchly supported previously believed notions regarding astronomy despite Biblical references that did not concur with those thoughts, Galileo persevered in pursuing truth based on factual observations. Galileo was a role model for our present youth to continue to test scientific observations and draw conclusions based upon factual data rather than the reputation and popularity of other scientists and their views, however long-standing those theories may have existed.

A Renaissance Man
This book was a fun and informative read. The author, Jeanne Bendick, included much about the times and way of life. She clearly explains and illustrates the thoughts of the day about the universe as well as thedifferences between the thinking of the ancient Greeks and Galileo, who didnot blindly accept the ancient teachings.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. History - Exploration & Discovery    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Scientists - General   

Reviews (2)

A great mythology - but one that denies the truth of Columbus' conquest
The story presented here is not surprising, as it recounts the traditional, accepted tale of Columbus' journey.It focuses on Columbus as a person, his desires, struggles, and eventual "success."
A good beginning but Adler leaves out important details.
With great illustrations, Adler gives us the bare facts of Columbus' life, however, he leaves out the passion of the man that children can really appreciate.Furthermore, Adler "forgets" that 1 reason Columbussailed was to find new lands but another reason was to win converts toChrist.This & other historical information is lacking in his book. Iwas left with more questions than answers based on this book & will belooking elsewhere for these important answers.I wish the end of the bookhad a "parents note" with a synopsis of Columbus' life in moredetail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Columbus, Christopher    6. Explorers    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. History - Holocaust    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Pictorial works    12. Spain   

Reviews (7)

Daughter Loves this Book
My 2.5 year old daughter loves this book. I read it to her a few times a week. It is just the right lenght for her to fall asleep.

Amazing and Inspiring
One of the greatest joys of this parenthood has been watching my four-year-old daughter come to understand that this is a true story, that men actually traveled to the moon and walked on its surface. Even though the moon landings were something I grew up with, the story grows more powerful with each retelling.It is one of her favorites and one of mine as well.

Sometimes you are remembered for being second
Edwin Eugene "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr. was the second man to walk on the moon when he followed Neil Armstrong on July 16, 1969, while Michael Collins circled the moon in the Apollo 11 spacecraft.In "Reaching for the Moon," Aldrin tells the story of his life that led up to walking on the moon, taking key episodes from his life and presenting them as life lessons to his young readers, such as sinking in a lake because he would not let go of a bucket of rocks he had collected ("I knew that if something was important to you, you had to hold on").Aldrin also shows how various things in his life foreshadowed what he would do on the moon (e.g., his mother's maiden name was Moon and his first airplane flight was in a small plane painted to look like an eagle).
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Subjects:  1. Aldrin, Buzz    2. Astronauts    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography - General    5. Biography & Autobiography - Science & Technology    6. Children's 9-12    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    8. Children: Grades 2-3    9. History - Exploration & Discovery    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Science & Technology - Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Sci    13. Space flight to the moon    14. Technology - Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science    15. United States    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (4)

Great for teaching about Map Skills!
This book is a great resource to use when teaching a unit about Map Skills!I've used this in my 2nd grade classroom and it was successful!The language is very child-friendly and easy to understand!The illustrations are wonderful!A great addition to my Map Skills unit!

Good introduction and overview of maps for elementary ages
Good book for introducing maps, globes and history of map making.It includes a few simple activities which should encourage readers to further research with maps, globes, atlases and at the library.However, the book would be greatly improved by a glossary defining all the italicized words in the book.

great introduction to maps and globes
Written for 7-10 year olds, this colorful book introduces young readers to the basics of maps and globes, such as a map's uses, direction, the equator, scale, legends, latitude, longitude, elevation and the difference between physical and political maps.Illustrations are simple, colorful and informative.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. General    4. Globes    5. Juvenile literature    6. Maps    7. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Exploration & Discovery   

Reviews (6)

A Great American Tale
The adventure and thrill of the Lewis & Clark Expedition is brought to life here in a story that both children and adults could appreciate.In beautiful and carefully rendered folk-style illustrations, and with descriptive text from the actual journals of the participants, the book has the appearance of something that almost could have been written in the early 1800's, when the expedition occurred.Rosalyn Schanzer's personal interest in the subject, especially the journals and the Indian tribes, seems to bring out the best in the storytelling, which primarily illustrates the first 1 1/2 years of the Corps of Discovery's journey to the Pacific Ocean.The story is accessible and easily understood, yet the attention to detail should satisfy those trying to learn, and even researchers in this important chapter in early American History.

Lovely Illustrations
A very good book about the Lewis & Clark expedition. The illustrations were vivid and the best part of the book. I would recommend this book

Superbly presented in an exciting picturebook format
Set in 1804, How We Crossed The West by Rosalyn Schanzer is the true story of the incredibly adventurous Lewis & Clark expedition exploring westward from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean (May 1804 to November 1805). Superbly presented in an exciting picturebook format for young readers, the "reader friendly" text is taken from the original journals of the explorers themselves, though slightly edited for clarity. The wealth of illustrations are warm, colorful acrylic/colored pencil designs that bring a great journey through early America vividly to life. As educational as it is entertaining, How We Crossed The West is a superbly presented history and very highly recommended for school and community library collections. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1804-1806)    2. 1770-1838    3. 1774-1809    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Clark, William,    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. History - United States/19th Century    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. Lewis and Clark Expedition    12. Lewis, Meriwether,    13. Classic travel writing    14. Humanities    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / General    16. Western & Pacific Coast states    17. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Asia    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. History    6. History - Asia    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. History - Medieval    9. Juvenile Nonfiction    10. Juvenile literature    11. People & Places - Asia    12. Pictorial works    13. Silk Road    14. Trade routes    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Asia   

Reviews (4)

A Lucky Man
Columbus was a lucky man (blessed, he would say).He had to be.Who else could have so much go so wrong and still become famous for the one big thing he did by mistake: discover America...if he did that.Anyway, he had a lot of adventure (or misadventure), and Jean Fritz tells about it and him--not in the traditionally reverent way, but with a humorous and matter-of-fact approach.

"Where Are You Going, Heinrich Himmler?"
It's hard to imagine something lower or more morally contemptible than books of this kind. Columbus was guilty of the genocide of eight million Native people. Imagine "Where Are You Going Heinrich Himmler?" or "Where Are You Going Adolf Eichmann?" for comparison. His vaunted "discovery" was no such thing. Native people were already there. Polynesians, Inuit, Phoenicians, and Africans had already made the same voyage, and unlike old Chris did not slaughter millions once they got here. A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History
This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    6. Explorers    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. Juvenile literature    9. Spain    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (13)

Glad I read through it before reading it to my children!
I picked this book up last week at a homeschool convention.My oldest son is very interested in history and learning about the explorers.We have enjoyed books by this author before, so I felt like it was a good buy.I can't believe how blatantly anti-Christian the author is in this book.She makes Christians sound like the wart of the world!She makes it sound like the world progressed in knowledge and achievements in spite of Christianity.Although I am no history expert, some of her statements just didn't sit well with me, and I would really question whether what she wrote is fact or just her ignorant, prejudiced opinion.I will never purchase another book by her again.

A very good resource for courses on the European exploration and exploitation of the Western Hemisphere
The European exploration of the rest of the world did not begin in 1492, although that is the impression given to grade school children. In a time when there were few ways to preserve food, Europeans had an almost insatiable demand for spices. Not only did the spices preserve the food; they made it possible to eat it when it was spoiled. When the Turks conquered the Arabian Peninsula, they cut off the overland trade routes where the spices were transported from Asia to Europe. This created a shortage of spices, the consequences of which were serious. Not only did it reduce the food supply in Europe; it also increased the risk of food poisoning.
We enjoyed the book, but.....
Ms. Fritz, your bias is showing! I had to edit and editorialize as I read this to my children to correct numerous misstatements and oversimplifications regarding Christianity. For example, Christians were not opposed to scholarship ~ it's largely because of Catholic and Byzantine monks that Greek and Roman literature was preserved.
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Subjects:  1. Adventure & Adventurers    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Discoveries in geography    6. Explorers    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. Juvenile literature    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / General   

Reviews (2)

Brings it alive
This books is excellent because it brings alive the pictures that the students have only imagined in their minds.The art is beautiful and eventhough there is not much print, the pictures speak for themselves.

A wonderful introduction of Columbus to young readers
The illustrations in the book are fascinating and extraordinary! My four-year-old son loves to look at and have me read this book to him over and over while he points out different characteristics in theillustrations. It's also a great introduction into American history foryoungsters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's 4-8 - Biography / Autobiography    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Columbus, Christopher    8. Explorers    9. History - Exploration & Discovery    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Sis, Peter    13. Spain    14. Biography: general    15. Juvenile Fiction / General    16. North America    17. South America   

Reviews (1)

Great book!
I came across this book by Betsy Maestro "The Discovery of the Americas" and I loved it.The text is simple and the illustrations are great. It is historically accurate as well, a must in my checklist.I didn't realize she also wrote the historical series "You Wouldn't Want to..." They are my favorite!! I recommend all of her books, especially for teachers.This series "The American Story" are great.I just wished they were more but she doesn't have one for the Revolution which would be great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. America    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Discovery and exploration    5. Exploration    6. General    7. History - Exploration & Discovery    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / General   

Reviews (1)

Junior World Explorers Series - Marco Polo
This is an excellent series that teaches history to the 8-12year old child.The book is excellently written, 96 pages with blackand white sketches along the way.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1254-1323?    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    4. Children's 9-12 - Bibles    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Explorers    8. History - Exploration & Discovery    9. Italy    10. Juvenile Geography    11. Juvenile literature    12. Polo, Marco,    13. Religion - Bibles - General    14. Travel    15. Travel, Medieval    16. Voyages and travels    17. Polo, Marco   

Subjects:  1. America    2. Children's 9-12 - History - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Columbus, Christopher    6. Discovery and exploration    7. Fifteenth century    8. History - Europe    9. History - Exploration & Discovery    10. History - Other    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. People & Places - Other    14. Spanish    15. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Europe   

Reviews (3)

A Catch in the Throat
This is an exquisite book.I have had the privelege of meeting a number of people who contributed to Apollo and, as far as I can tell, they all remember it as the most important thing they did during their working lives.They are tremendously proud of having been a part of it - as well they should!- and it is their participation that is at the heart of Catherine Thimmesh's wonderful book."Team Moon" let's us meet a couple of dozen representative members of the team of 400,000 people who worked to make Apollo a success and sets their stories in the context of a brief - but very well written - account of the first landing mission.The book also includes a superb selection of photographs beautifully presented. Suitable for ages 10 and up - including 62 year olds -it's the first Apollo book I've read in a while that gave me a catch in the throat, a hint of a happy tear in the eye in admiration for the men and women of Apollo.

Thank goodness someone recorded these stories
Of course! How could I not have realized that it took a gargantuan effort to send Apollo 11 to the moon and allow a world full of people holding their breath to see Neil Armstrong walk on the moon? I've been an avid follower of the space programs of the world since I was in grade school. I had space maps and photos of the astronauts all over my bedroom walls. And yet, I never thought about all the people who made the moon walk possible. Catherine Thimmesh did. Through precise research and personal interviews, she has crafted the story of the people who made it happen. The number 400,000 and a period of eight years qualifies the effort as gargantuan. Thimmesh writes the story in an accessible manner that will leave readers eager to turn the page. From flight director Gene Kranz taking the stairs because he didn't want to risk being stuck in an elevator to the program alarm that occurred twelve minutes before moon landing, Team Moon reveals the drama that evolved at key steps in the mission to set foot on the moon. People needed to see images. How do you take can't-miss photographs on the moon? Parachutes had to open, without fail, on re-entry. Heat shields needed to protect the capsule from burning up and destroying lives. I'm so glad that Thimmesh took the time to interview the people who had such valuable stories to tell us. Especially gratifying is the beauty of this book. The well-chosen photos are startling in contrast to the rich black background. Sources, references, and pointers for further reading will help fascinated readers continue their own journey into space. Highly recommended for schools, classrooms, and every home that has a reader who is curious about the world--and space.

AUUUUGGGGHHH!!Moon germs!
Thank God for children's literature blogs.Without them I swear I'd miss half the cool new children's books coming out each and every year.Now I'm a children's librarian of variegated tastes.I like my books fictional, preferably fantastical, and with a British sense of humor.Basically if you place a non-fiction book in my lap without warning me first, I scream and fly into a fit of severe heebie-jeebies.But when I heard about "Team Moon", it sounded too good to pass up.First of all, it was written by Catherine Thimmesh, who won my love when I read her, "The Sky's the Limit: Stories of Discovery By Women and Girls".At this point Thimmesh could write a book about how thrilling it is to learn about the history of mouthwash and I'd probably be all ah-twitter.I expected to find "Team Moon" fascinating.What I did not expect was to learn just how close to failure the launch was, how dangerous it became, the concerns that people had, and the sheer number of people and projects that had to work together to get it going. Read more

Subjects:  1. Aeronautics & Astronautics    2. Children's 9-12 - Technical    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Science    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. History - Exploration & Discovery    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Project Apollo (U.S.)    9. Science & Nature - Astronomy    10. Science & Nature - History of Science    11. Space flight to the moon    12. Technology - Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Science & Technology / Aeronautics, Astronautics & Space Science   

Subjects:  1. America    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Columbus, Christopher    5. Discovery and exploration    6. General    7. History    8. History - Exploration & Discovery    9. History - General    10. Juvenile History    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Navigation    14. Ocean travel    15. Ships    16. Spanish   

Reviews (1)

An Amazing Woman
This book starts out in Idaho.It's abouta woman named Sacagawea, who was taken away from her family. A few of her friends left her. The men who came for her called her bird woman.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    3. Biography & Autobiography - Ethnic    4. Biography & Autobiography - General    5. Biography & Autobiography - Historical    6. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    7. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    8. Children: Grades 4-6    9. History - Exploration & Discovery    10. Juvenile Easy Readers    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Sacagawea    14. Shoshoni Indians    15. Shoshoni women    16. Juvenile Nonfiction / Biography & Autobiography / General