Explorers    As we celebrate Leif Erikkson Day we also pay tribute to those intrepid explorers from around the world who opened new horizons and paved the way for the “global community” that exists today. “In the Footsteps of Explorers” is a new series from Crabtree Publishing Company that covers a number of explorers in an easily accessible format that is very appealing and will work well for student reports. Another series, from Marshall Cavendish, called “Great Explorations” will also be a welcome addition for school use. The books below represent a smattering of the offerings available. Go to www.childrenslit.com for the most comprehensive information available on explorers or any subject of your choice. Reviews The Adventures of Marco Polo Russell Freedman Illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline (accompanied by archival, period artwork)    And we shall set down things seen as seen,” says the prologue to Marco Polo’s The Description of the World, “and things heard as heard only....” Freedman’s handsome book sets out to do no less, sifting through the controversy that has enveloped the colorful figure of Marco Polo. Was he an intrepid traveler or a masterful liar? Through text that rolls carpet-like over an incredibly vast landscape, the reader is transported to the narrow lanes of San Severo, the wind-whipped Dasht-e-Lut, and the Khan’s resplendent capital of Daidu, precursor to present-day Beijing. Quotes from translations of The Descriptions of the World are woven together with Freedman’s own fluid prose. In addition, the writing vivifies that landscape while simultaneously rendering it, in keeping with the subject, vastly incredible. Thirteenth century exoticizing of “the East” is presented in full flower, combined with thoughtful commentary that renders people and times comprehensible to young readers. In the end Freedman comes down on the side of those who argue that Polo did indeed make the journey. His scribe and prison cellmate Rustichello, this view holds, may have been responsible for both exaggerations and deletions that have since called the journey itself into question. Meticulous craft is Freedman’s hallmark. (See Confucius: The Golden Rule.) You will not find here the invented dialogue and altered time lines that are becoming increasingly commonplace in books that pass for nonfiction. Translations of Marco Polo’s book are used as filters through which to view the life and journey of its writer. Multiple sources are detailed in an author’s note that also dispels common myths about noodles and gunpowder and cites the academic controversy about this legendary journey. Ibatoulline’s art offers as much to study in this book as does the writing. His style shifts to evoke the different cultures the Polos would have encountered. Art sources in the back matter provide further substantiation. Additionally, the book’s design makes skillful use of archival images, from the woodcut title page of a 1503 edition of Marco Polo’s book, to a wealth of miniatures, engravings, and illuminations, all carefully referenced. 2006, Arthur Levine/Scholastic, $17.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Uma Krishnaswami (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books of the Year, 2006; School Library Journal; United States The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education; Outstanding Merit; United States Booklist Book Review Stars, Oct. 15, 2006; United States Books for Youth, 2006; Booklist Editor's Choice; United States Children's Books 2006: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2006; New York Public Library; United States Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007; H.W. Wilson; United States Children's Pick of the List, 2006; NAIBA; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, September 15, 2006; United States Notable Children's Book, 2007; ALSC American Library Association; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 2, 2006; Cahners; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2006; Cahners; United States Top 10 Youth Biographies, 2007; Booklist; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: The Golden Kite Award Award Book 2006 Nonfiction United States ISBN: 0-439-52394-X ISBN: 0-439-52395-8 ISBN: 978-0-439-52394-3 ISBN: 978-0-439-52395-0 Born for Adventure Kathleen Karr    Born for adventure, indeed! Sixteen-year-old Tom Ormsby, bored as a clerk in a London chemists’ firm, christens himself with a fancy new name--Thomas Greenville Ormsby--and wangles his way onto legendary explorer Henry Morton Stanley’s 1886 mission to rescue Emid Pasha, the British Empire’s anointed representative, from hostile native threats to his rule in Equatoria in the heart of darkest Africa. For a cert, to use Tom’s favorite expression, one in three white men on the expedition will be dead within a year, but Tom has pluck to spare, so off he goes. By the end of his three-year journey, Tom has grown up plenty, as he witnesses Stanley’s obsession with his own power and glory at the expense of all else: his indifference to human life, his insistence on the right of the white man to assert power over the African heathen, and his brutal exercise of that power. Karr immerses the reader so thoroughly in the world of the ill-fated “Relief of Emid Pasha Expedition” that we feel the same oppressive jungle heat that Tom does, and the same affection for his dark-skinned porters, the same revulsion at the groundless praises of Stanley’s valor, and the same dark irony when it turns out that Emid Pasha in fact needs no relief and is only destroyed by his “rescue.” This complex and many-layered story makes for a challenging read, but one that will richly reward the sophisticated and thoughtful teen reader. 2007, Marshall Cavendish, $16.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7614-5348-2 ISBN: 978-0-7614-5348-2 Captain James Cook Enid Broderick    This handsomely designed book introduces young readers to James Cook's voyages of discovery in the Pacific Ocean during the 18th Century. Unlike earlier explores, Cook was not sailing the world in search of treasure; the purpose of his voyages was scientific discovery. On each of his three voyages, scientists and artists traveled with Cook, conducting astronomical observations, preparing maps and charts of the areas they explored, and keeping detailed records of the plants, animals and native peoples that they encountered. This book is well organized, and the main text is clear and straightforward. Numerous sidebars present interesting facts and brief excerpts from Cook's diaries. The illustrations are an interesting mix of 18th Century paintings and engravings, modern photographs and excellent maps. The watercolor renderings of plants and wildlife by Joseph Banks and William Ellis, two artists who sailed with Cook on his voyages, are particularly beautiful. An excellent glossary, index, and list of additional sources follows the text. This book is part of the "Great Explorers" series. 2004, World Almanac Library, $29.26. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Barbara Carroll Roberts (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8368-5014-9 ISBN: 0-8368-5174-9 ISBN: 978-0-8368-5014-7 ISBN: 978-0-8368-5174-8 David Livingstone: Deep in the Heart of Africa Steven Otfinoski    Dr. Livingstone, a devout Christian, studied both medicine and religion in preparation for his travels to Africa. Once he arrived, however, the adventurer within him surfaced and he devoted most of his life to exploration of this continent, previously unknown to Europeans. Born in Scotland in 1813, he spent his childhood in cotton mills working fourteen-hour shifts and attending school for two hours after that each night. His journey to Africa began when he was twenty-eight. He made several trips into the heart of Africa during the next sixteen years, discovering among other things, the tremendous falls that he named after Queen Victoria. During his later journeys, he became determined to locate the source of the Nile River, a goal he never accomplished. He was a complex, driven man, which limited his social skills. He did not get along well with other missionaries and he was not considerate of his family’s best interests. The background for journalist Henry Stanley’s famous quote provides interest. The flow of the dense text of the book is often interrupted with full or double-page spreads of related factual information. Reproductions of paintings appear throughout, although the captions, written in a script-like font, are difficult to read. Reference aids include a table of contents, a time line, a bibliography, recommended web sites, source notes, and an index. Serious young researchers will appreciate this book, but most elementary and middle school students will find it a bit overwhelming. “Great Explorations” series. 2007, Marshall Cavendish, $32.79. Ages 10 to 13. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 978-0-7614-2226-6 ISBN: 0-7614-2226-9 Despite All Obstacles: La Salle and the Conquest of the Mississippi Joan Elizabeth Goodman Illustrated by Tom McNeely    The story of Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle, who overcomes daunting challenges to explore the Mississippi, reads like an adventure tale. But it's a true story based on chronicles written by men who accompanied LaSalle on his expeditions. When LaSalle's yearning to go to China was thwarted, he sought the next best opportunity in the wilds of Canada. His dreams of China continued and when he heard tales of a great, winding river leading to the sea, he hoped it would lead west to the Pacific, providing a passage to China. Even after he learned it emptied southward into the Gulf of Mexico, he continued with his plan to explore, facing incredible obstacles. After each failure, he picked himself up and continued toward his goal. Finally he reached the mouth of the Mississippi and formally took possession of all the area bordering the Mississippi for the king of France. This book more than fills the Mikaya Press goal of offering a "compelling narrative that grabs, holds and delights the reader." Not only is the book well written, with gripping true tales to make the story come alive, it is beautifully illustrated and designed. A map of his journeys in the front of the book folds out to the left to be kept open for reference while the reader follows the story. In the margins are intriguing quotes from speeches, letters and accounts written in LaSalle's time. An epilogue describes what happened to the territory he claimed for France, along with a map of the United States showing its early divisions. An index is included. 2001, Mikaya Press, $19.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Janet Crane Barley (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2003; H.W. Wilson; United States Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2002; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States ISBN: 1-93141-401-7 ISBN: 978-1-93141-401-2 Down the Colorado: John Wesley Powell, the One-Armed Explorer Deborah Kogan Ray    Powell’s early life is summarized in the first few pages. Realistic, full-color illustrations face each page of text describing his birth and early childhood, his hands-on education with naturalist George Crookham, his family’s moves westward, his beginning teaching experiences and his service with the Union Army during the Civil War. A mine ball struck his wrist during the Battle of Shiloh resulting in the amputation of his right arm. After he recovered, Powell and his wife Emma took a group of college students to explore the Rocky Mountains. When Powell heard about the unexplored canyon lands of the Colorado River, he was determined to explore them. He spent two years planning the expedition and recruiting his crew. The journey began in 1869 when Powell accompanied by nine trusted men set out from Green River in Wyoming Territory. The major successes and set-backs are described and the successful completion of the trip is celebrated. A map with dates listed for the sites mentioned in the text and a timeline of the trip add clarity. Also included are an Author’s Note, a Chronology of Powell’s life, and a Bibliography of sources. This picture book biography is packed with information accessible to young researchers. 2007, Frances Foster Books/Farrar Straus and Giroux, Ages 8 to 11, $17.00. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-374-31838-3 ISBN: 0-374-31838-7 Edmund Hillary: First to the Top Dan Elish    The exciting adventures of Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the top of Mount Everest, are detailed in this book from the “Great Explorers” series. After describing Mount Everest and summarizing the expedition to the top, Elish describes Hillary’s childhood. Hillary grew from a shy child who loved books to a man who delighted in climbing mountains. When Hillary heard of an expedition to climb Mount Everest led by his hero, Eric Shipton, he never dreamed that he would be asked to join. Elish then describes the perilous expedition in exciting detail. Hillary’s later life, including his dedication to helping the Sherpas, concludes this interesting biography. While Edmund Hillary is the focus of this book, Elish does not short-change the other members of the party, including the Sherpas. Related nuggets of information are interspersed throughout the text. Color photos and maps add visual interest and information. A good reference book for the child bored with the usual biographies. 2007, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $32.79. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 978-0-7614-2224-2 ISBN: 0-7614-2224-2 Exploration Rebecca Stefoff    Young researchers will become familiar with worldly explorer’s lure to lay claim for their nations, embarking beyond individual country’s borders, crossing oceans, and filling in details of continent’s hearts. Beginning in the Common Era (C.E.), pictures, books, and maps aroused curiosity, ship building and navigation skills improved, and trade motivated voyagers to desire trophies in spite of hardships. The fast-moving account blends cartography (highly detailed colorful maps) with concise text that highlights key events of the eras and artwork displays reflecting the culture. In-depth captions under each map and illustrations also chart the paths of the adventurers. Tucked inside each culture’s coverage is a full-page story and illustration that spotlights an explorer’s unique biography. A list of quality books will provide added incentive for further exploration. The web site URLs listed may not be accessible because of browser version. If all else fails go to a search engine and enter keywords listed in the site’s description or get suggestions from a librarian. A table of contents, glossary, chronology, photograph credits, and index are included. Designed to provide a bird’s eye view of historical periods, this reference book presents a giant patchwork of times past that will whet student appetites for exploring beyond the data contained inside its cover. 2004, Benchmark Books, $18.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Barbara Troisi (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 0-7614-1640-4 ISBN: 978-0-7614-1640-1 Explorers Carlotta Hacker    We've done our best, but we still could do more, for women today hold only about 30% of the available professional positions. To encourage girls to focus on science, introduce them to the "Women in Profile" series. This particular title features six explorers: Isabella Bird Bishop, world explorer; Amelia Earhart, pilot; Mary Kingsley, explorer/anthropologist; Annie Smith Peck, mountain climber; Freyda Stark, explorer/travel writer; and Valentina Tereshkova, astronaut, plus brief profiles of eight more women explorers. Each title in the series consists of eye-catching portrait-covers, colorfully photo-illustrated, magazine-style biographies that contain sidebars with "Key Events" and "Backgrounder" columns as well as pertinent quotations. Readers easily overwhelmed by large blocks of type will be particularly attracted to this series, which includes Explorers, Writers, Scientists, Political Leaders, Musicians, and Nobel Prize Winners. 1998, Crabtree, $8.95. Ages 11 up. Reviewer: Dr. Beverly Kobrin (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books for Children, 1999; Science Books & Films; United States ISBN: 0-7787-0026-7 ISBN: 0-7787-0004-6 ISBN: 978-0-7787-0026-5 ISBN: 978-0-7787-0004-3 Explorers and Exploration    From the dawn of recorded history, people have been driven to seek out new lands, cultures and adventures. The inner determination to explore previously unknown frontiers is an essential part of humanity. Over the centuries people have sought out new worlds as part of a movement to know what is over the proverbial next hill. In many cases, the act of exploration was linked to commercial interests spawned by contemporary circumstances. In other instances, explorers sought out new lands as the result of political or religious persecution. Sometimes explorers set out to find wealth and fame. Yet, although there were frequently material reasons for exploration, in many cases the act of setting out to explore the unknown was itself enough of a motive. This act of exploration is the theme for this new set of reference books offered up by the publishing company, Marshall Cavendish. The “Explorers and Exploration” series is designed to be an encyclopedia of exploration. Its eleven volumes are arranged alphabetically according to subject. Many of the entries provide biographies of individual explorers, but many other related subjects are also investigated. Each entry is written in a clearheaded manner. The writers involved in this project do not attempt to make heroes out of each of these pioneering spirits. For example, the efforts of the Spanish conquistadors were a significant avenue for exploration. However, the brutality of the tactics used by men such as Cortez, Pizzaro, and Balboa were a primary contributor to the destruction and enslavement of native peoples on a vast scale. The entries for these and other featured explorers are written in a way that reveals not only the vastness of their efforts, but also their foibles. Additionally, attention is paid not only to men who explored but also to women who sometimes played an active role in exploration efforts. Women such as Sacagawea and Amelia Earhart were brave hearted souls whose contributions were as valuable as those of the more widely recounted male explorers. This set does justice to women in the history of exploration in a way that will interest readers of both genders. Another appealing aspect of this series is the widespread use of illustrations, photographs, and maps. The visual dimension of this set is one of its strong suits. Readers can turn to any page within the 177 selections and find an interesting image to ponder. The editors of this useful reference set are to be commended for their visual artistry and arrangement. The final volume of this eleven-book set is dedicated to summary indices. It features an in depth guide to further study as well as indices dealing with topics such as maps, thematic study, Internet resources, and a glossary. This resource volume serves as a fitting end point to a series that affords upper elementary and middle school students with a valuable resource for study. Explorers and their explorations have fascinated readers for centuries. Here, in the “Explorers and Exploration” series, students are provided a cohesive and engaging tool for the review and study of this adventurous subject. This is a valuable resource that would augment any library or personal collection. 2005, Marshall Cavendish, $329.95 Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog 2006 Supplement to the Ninth Edition, 2006; H.W Wilson Company; United States Twenty Best Bets for Student Researchers, 2005; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Twenty New Reference Sources for Younger Students, 2004; American Library Association-Booklist; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor Book 2005 Social Studies-Grades K-6 United States ISBN: 0-7614-7535-4 ISBN: 0-7614-7536-2 ISBN: 0-7614-7537-0 ISBN: 0-7614-7538-9 ISBN: 0-7614-7539-7 ISBN: 0-7614-7540-0 ISBN: 0-7614-7541-9 ISBN: 0-7614-7542-7 ISBN: 0-7614-7543-5 ISBN: 0-7614-7544-3 ISBN: 0-7614-7545-1 ISBN: 0-7614-7546-X Exploring the Earth with John Wesley Powell Michael Elsohn Ross Illustrations by Wendy Smith    In 1842, eight-year-old John 'Wes' Powell began the study of nature -- an endeavor that would become his lifelong vocation. In the year 2000, it is possible to become a 'geo-scout' in much the same way. Such is the invitation extended in Michael Elsohn Ross' appealing union of historical fact and scientific direction. Part biography, part field guide, it encourages readers to explore the world that surrounds them just as Powell did. Reading about nature is not enough. With just a few simple tools (such as empty egg cartons, sunblock, and sturdy shoes) and this book, anyone can explore nature firsthand. Readers will be excited to get outdoors and follow in the footsteps of the remarkable naturalist. 2000, Carolrhoda, $19.93. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature). Best Books: Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children, 2001; National Science Teachers Association; United States ISBN: 1-5750-5254-7 ISBN: 978-1-5750-5254-0 Henry Hudson: In Search of the Northwest Passage Steven Otfinoski    This book, part of the “Great Explorations” series, attempts a comprehensive look at the life of English explorer Henry Hudson, although the author points out that very little is known about the subject prior to his exploration undertaken in 1606 when he was in his mid-thirties. A confusing passage states that Hudson was probably born in the early 1570s but that his father died in the 1560s; his mother remarried and her husband was elected lord mayor of London in 1566. Nevertheless, the focus of the book, of course, is Henry Hudson’s explorations. He was hired by trading companies to find sea routes and because he undertook voyages for foreign concerns, he was charged with treason. After the charges were dropped, he was hired by the English East India Company to chart a course to North America. The passages covering his travels in the New World are interesting, as are the many sidebars. Hudson’s lack of judgment brought about a mutiny and his fate has remained unknown, but he does have three major waterways bearing his name. Included are a timeline and sources for further study. 2007, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $32.79. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 978-0-7614-2225-9 ISBN: 0-7614-2225-0 The Lewis and Clark Expedition Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin    Part of the “Turning Points in U.S. History” series, this narrative of Lewis and Clark’s expedition in six chapters is appropriate for able middle readers as well as for older students with more limited skills. With its ample format, neat design, color photos, and many reproductions of paintings and engravings, this volume will be visually appealing to young historians. Beginning with the Louisiana Purchase and ending with Jefferson’s tribute to the expedition, the authors introduce students to the leaders of the “Corps of Discovery” and memorable participants like the young Shoshone guide, Sacagawea; Clark’s intrepid slave, York; and Lewis’s Newfoundland dog, Seaman. Setting out from St. Louis on May 14, 1804, the travelers journeyed by boat, on foot, and on horseback, enduring hardships, building two forts, exploring rivers and mountains. Though crossing the Bitterroot Mountains in the snow proved to be the most difficult part of the quest, this triumph gave Lewis an enormous sense of satisfaction as they continued down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. They had traveled 3500 miles and had still to make the return journey! In the final chapter, readers learn of the explorers’ accomplishments: describing and mapping the land, establishing friendly relationships with native inhabitants, discovering plants and animals unknown to eastern Americans, and strengthening U.S. claims to the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, neither Sacagawea nor York was rewarded by the government; Lewis committed suicide three years after his return. Included are maps, a glossary, a timeline, and a bibliography for students. 2007, Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, Ages 9 to 14, $20.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-7614-2044-6 The Lewis and Clark Expedition Jessica Gunderson Illustrated by Steve Erwin, Keith Williams, and Charles Barnet III    This story is a nonfiction account of the great expedition requested by President Jefferson. Lewis and Clark, with men and supplies, set off to find a passage that would connect the land between the two oceans. Up until this expedition, few went beyond the Mississippi River. While on this dangerous adventure, Lewis and Clark meet a French-Canadian trapper and his wife, Sacagawea, who accompany them and prove very valuable in the success of the journey because Sacagawea can translate the Indian language. This adventure provides insight to the hardships endured by early explorers, as well as the good times and the excitement of success. The book is written in graphic format that is a favorite of mine. The graphic format makes it perfect for students who are reluctant readers and never seem to finish a book on their own. Young adults who want to read anything they can get their hands on will also enjoy the graphics and fast paced text. The full-color graphics make an enormous impact on the story. The author includes a box on most pages with narration giving extra information to the reader to help with comprehension. Vocabulary has been well-selected. This book is an excellent resource that could be used for writing a summary, a book report, or as a source for research. At the end of the book the author includes two pages with more information about the expedition. I honestly did not know that Jefferson made Lewis the Governor of the Louisiana Territory. The author also includes a “Glossary” with a pronunciation guide, and a list of other books and web sites that might be of interest to the reader. I highly recommend this book that is part of the “Graphic Library” series. 2007, Capstone Press, $25.26. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-7368-6493-0 ISBN: 0-7368-6493-8 Richard Francis Burton: Explorer, Scholar, Spy Serinity Young    Indiana Jones indeed. Harrison Ford may well have been channeling Richard Francis Burton, one of England’s finest nineteenth-century adventurers. Raised primarily overseas and enrolled at Oxford for a time, Burton’s rebellious streak soon got him expelled. Working at times for the East India Company, at others for the British government, Burton used his uncanny ability to absorb languages and cultures to infiltrate dozens of Arab countries, then (as now) one of the world’s most dangerous, most fascinating, and most challenging cultures. At times soldier, writer, scholar, diplomat, and spy, Burton mastered almost thirty languages over the course of his career. His ability to absorb the nuances of every culture he encountered enabled him to visit Mecca--a place forbidden to non-Mulsims, to translate and bring the wonders of The Arabian Nights to the western world, and led to the discovery of Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Thoroughly researched and well-written, this is a very accessible biography of an unequalled adventurer. Students will find the time line, list of books and Web sites, bibliography, source notes, and index invaluable in delving further into this unique life. 2007, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $32.79. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Kris Sauer (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, Supplement, 2007; H.W. Wilson; United States ISBN: 978-0-7614-2222-8 ISBN: 0-7614-2222-6 Roald Amundsen: The Conquest of the South Pole Julie Karner    Shortly before the dawn of the 20th century, most of the habitable land on Earth had been explored by European and American explorers. The attention of explorers then turned toward the north and south poles. There were dozens of explorers who gathered crews of brave men who traveled to the farthest reaches of the planet, often in the hopes of being the first to reach one of the poles. Roald Amundsen had hoped to be the first person to reach the North Pole and though he would be beaten to the pole by Robert Peary, Amundsen conducted numerous experiments in the artic region before turning his sights toward the South Pole. While there had been numerous expeditions to the Antarctic region, no explorer had been able to withstand the extreme conditions to reach the pole itself. Amundsen’s experience at the North Pole enabled him to assemble an experienced crew as well as any necessary items that would assist him in his attempt to reach the pole, a feat he was able to accomplish in 1911. Little more than bare facts about Amundsen’s adventures in the Artic and Antarctic region are found in the text, yet the topic is interesting enough to whet the appetite of young explorer’s and encourage them to seek more scholarly works. The text is part of the “In the Footsteps of Explorers” series. 2007, Crabtree Publishing Company, $25.20. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Danielle Williams (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7787-2432-8 ISBN: 978-0-7787-2432-2 ISBN: 0-7787-2468-9 ISBN: 978-0-7787-2468-1 Trailblazers: Poems of Exploration Bobbi Katz    This unusual collection of poems celebrates explorers both from the past and the present. The book begins with a tale of Adam and Eve and continues through time from Marco Polo up to John Glenn and Sally Ride. The quality of the poems is a bit uneven, as some are exceptional while others are just painful to read. Each one is generally educational, as they are usually factually correct. However, the point-of-view is sometimes a bit disturbing, as in the case of the Vikings who are described as pillaging more than exploring, even as they are portrayed sympathetically as “better workers / when they’re roused / to be berserkers” (20). The author also includes many lesser-known explorers, such as Mary Ann Parker, Ida Pfeiffer, and Richard Spruce to name a few. The inclusion of a large number of female explorers is particularly refreshing, and some of the poems--particularly those focusing on more modern topics such as space and deep-sea exploration--have a very nice sound. 2007, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $16.99. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Laura Ruttig (Children's Literature).    What a creative idea! Bobbi Katz celebrates the remarkable exploits of explorers from the earliest of times to current day. Whether conqueror, pirate, pilgrim, scientist, adventurer, or teacher, each of these notable people contributes in some way to our knowledge of the earth, what is beyond the atmosphere, and what lies deep within the ocean. From Alexander the Great, to Ernest Shackleton and Mae Jemison, to the lesser known Jeanne Baret (the first known women to sail around the world in 1768) or Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen, Katz chronicles in rhyme and free verse the fears, hardships, excitement, awe, and adventure of these intrepid men and women. She often incorporates her subjects’ own words, garnered from diaries and journals, into her poems. Appended is a thumbnail biography (in alphabetical order) of each explorer and an author’s note helps set the political climate and motivation behind some of the undertakings. Used in conjunction with a class unit on explorers, this will be an excellent companion piece. 2007 (orig. 1993), Greenwillow/HarperCollins, $18.99. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-688-16533-8 ISBN: 0-688-16534-6 ISBN: 978-0-688-16533-8 ISBN: 978-0-688-16534-5 Westward Ho!: Eleven Explorers of the West Charlotte Foltz Jones    The five chapters of this textbook-like group biography feature eleven lesser-known explorers whose skills and actions were instrumental in opening up the American West. Ranging from the first white man to cross the Sierra Nevada, to the discoverer of Pikes Peak, the surveyor of the Grand Canyon, and the man who popularized the concept of westward expansion, Jones investigates what makes men risk their lives to satisfy their curiosity and desire for glory. "Searching for a Northwest Passage" highlights the work of navigators Robert Gray, George Vancouver, and Alexander Mackenzie. "Exploring the Louisiana Purchase" focuses on the lives of John Colter, Zebulon Montgomery Pike, and Stephen Harriman Long. "Trapping in the Wilderness" reveals the day-to-day activities of mountain men James Bridger, Jedediah Strong Smith, and Joseph Reddeford Walker. "Mapping the Manifest Destiny" traces the expeditions of John C. Fremont. "Surveying the Vast West" provides information about master surveyor John Wesley Powell. Illustrated with ample black-and-white photographs, maps, and artwork, the pedestrian text is improved by a nice blend of factual information and personal vignettes that makes for entertaining reading. This title would be especially useful to middle school or junior high school students conducting elementary research on Western history. Extensive notes and references are included. VOYA CODES: 3Q 1P M J (Readable without serious defects; No YA will read unless forced to for assignments; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Holiday House, 233p.; Index. Illus. Photos. Biblio. Source Notes. Chronology., $22.95. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo (VOYA, June 2005 (Vol. 28, No. 2)). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006; H.W. Wilson; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog 2006 Supplement to the Ninth Edition, 2006; H.W Wilson Company; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor Book 2005 Social Studies - Grades 7-12 United States Western Heritage Awards Winner 2006 Juvenile Book United States ISBN: 0-8234-1586-4 ISBN: 978-0-8234-1586-1 The World Made New: Why the Age of Exploration Happened and How it Changed the World Marc Aronson and John W. Glenn    An interesting format makes this book stand out. Rather than just bombarding young students with facts, the concept will encourage them to think about and delve more deeply into the subject. The authors candidly admit that there are many things about which they cannot be sure. They give the best information available and also make clear that historians often must look at evidence anew and sometimes rethink “the early history of the Americas.” There is a look at how and why the explorers chose to set off on voyages and there is also a glimpse about how this was perceived by the natives of the region. The consequences of the exploration and the repercussions of the “global interchange” are also made clear. There are many maps, time lines, archival prints, and illustrations, along with a “Biographical Dictionary” and a lengthy listing of sources for further study. 2007, National Geographic Society, Ages 9 to 12, $17.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children’s Literature). ISBN: 978-0-7922-6454-5 ISBN: 978-0-7922-6978-6 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 9/20/07