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Who Was First? : Discovering the Americas
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Who Was First? : Discovering the Americas Hardcover - 2007

by Freedman, Russell

  • Used

Many generations of American schoolchildren were taught that Columbus discovered America, and a holiday reminds us every October. But historical investigation in recent years has shown us otherwise. There is evidence that adventurers, explorers, traders, and nomads from various parts of the globe set foot on American soil long before 1492. And expeditions that landed in the Americas reported people already living there—indicating that America had been “discovered” before.
Russell Freedman brings his legendary skills as researcher and storyteller to this fresh and intriguing look at the American past. Colorful legends and first-person accounts are woven into the riveting narrative, which also illuminates the way historians and mapmakers have gathered, evaluated, and recorded information throughout the ages.

Description

HarperCollins Publishers. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Used - Good
NZ$11.26
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Details

  • Title Who Was First? : Discovering the Americas
  • Author Freedman, Russell
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Condition Used - Good
  • Pages 96
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher HarperCollins Publishers, New York
  • Date 2007
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Maps, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • Bookseller's Inventory # 3362488-75
  • ISBN 9780618663910 / 0618663916
  • Weight 1.35 lbs (0.61 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.6 x 9.7 x 0.5 in (24.38 x 24.64 x 1.27 cm)
  • Ages 10 to 12 years
  • Grade levels 5 - 7
  • Reading level 1310
  • Themes
    • Ethnic Orientation: Native American
  • Library of Congress subjects Explorers - America, America - Discovery and exploration -
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2006102485
  • Dewey Decimal Code 970.01

Summary

Many generations of American schoolchildren were taught that Columbus discovered America, and a holiday reminds us every October. But historical investigation in recent years has shown us otherwise. There is evidence that adventurers, explorers, traders, and nomads from various parts of the globe set foot on American soil long before 1492. And expeditions that landed in the Americas reported people already living there—indicating that America had been “discovered” before.
Russell Freedman brings his legendary skills as researcher and storyteller to this fresh and intriguing look at the American past. Colorful legends and first-person accounts are woven into the riveting narrative, which also illuminates the way historians and mapmakers have gathered, evaluated, and recorded information throughout the ages.

From the publisher

Russell Freedman received the Newbery Medal for LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. He is also the recipient of three Newbery Honors, the Sibert Medal, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and was selected to give the 2006 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Mr. Freedman lives in New York City.

Media reviews

"Clear and packed with interesting details ... [t]his engaging work presents history as a story still being written." Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Students will discover fascinating information as well as a fine example of the research process in this thought-provoking work.
School Library Journal, Starred

"A well-rtesearched, intelligent account of America's 'discovery.'" Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

:"This well-designed, clearly written book looks at various ideas about the discovery of the Americas, including the famous voyages of Columbus in 1492, the claims that fifteenth-century Chinese explorer Zheng He may have salied to the Americas, and the now-documented settlement of Vikings in Newfoundland around the year 1000." Book Links, ALA

"Freedman has done it again, providing a well-organized, lucid, and engaging explanation of an important subject for middle-grade and middle school readers." Horn Book, Starred

Freedman provides an intriguing, fresh, and compelling view of traditional American history, taking readers beyond the familiar story of Columbus as the 'discoverer of America' and presenting new theories and possiblitites about who might have come to the Americas first and why.
VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

A variety of illustrations from maps and models to dioramas and paintings embellish the text; a bibliography, index, and specific sources for quotations are also included.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Citations

  • Booklist, 10/01/2007, Page 58
  • Booklist Ed Choice Youth, 01/01/2008, Page 13
  • Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks, 11/01/2007, Page 139
  • Horn Book Magazine, 01/01/2008, Page 109
  • Hornbook Guide to Children, 01/01/2008, Page 178
  • Kirkus Best Children's Books, 11/15/2007, Page 1
  • Kirkus Review - Children, 09/15/2007, Page 989
  • New York Times Book Review, 02/17/2008, Page 17
  • School Library Journal, 11/01/2007, Page 146
  • SLJ's Best Books, 12/01/2007, Page 34
  • Voice of Youth Advocates, 12/01/2007, Page 458

About the author

Russell Freedman received the Newbery Medal for LINCOLN: A PHOTOBIOGRAPHY. He is also the recipient of three Newbery Honors, the Sibert Medal, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and was selected to give the 2006 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. Mr. Freedman lives in New York City.

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