The lives of 17 famous and less-famous explorers become a little more real in the hands of Kathleen Krull as she delves into their contributions and their personalities. In two-to-five page chapters, each subject becomes a little more approachable and a little less standing on the pedestal of history.
Organized in a chronological presentation, we begin our speed dating with the explorers by meeting Leif Ericson (Leif Eriksson) and finish with a last glimpse of astronaut Sally Ride. Sandwiched in between are some surprises: Mary Kingsley and Isabella Bird. Diversity is a clear objective here as women, Asians, African Americans and the usual suspects are highlighted.
Caricatures and tone make this learning adventure fun!
96 pages 978-0152059101 Ages 9-12
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
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You might know that Columbus discovered America, Lewis and Clark headed west with Sacajawea, and Sally Ride blasted into space. But what do you really know about these bold explorers? What were they like as kids? What pets or bad habits did they have? And what drove their passion to explore unknown parts of the world? With juicy tidbits about everything from favorite foods to first loves, Lives of the Explorers reveals these fascinating adventurers as both world-changers and real people.
The entertaining style and solid research of the Lives of . . . series of biographies have made it a favorite with families and educators for twenty years. This new volume takes readers through the centuries and across the globe, profiling the men and women whose curiosity and courage have led them to discover our world.--from the publisher
