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Ages 8 to 14 years.Hungry for adventure, your Sieur de La Salle did not think twice before leaving the priesthood in France and setting sail for the New World, at the tender age of 22.Young readers will be fascinated by this new book which chronicles his success leading a colony in New France in the late 1600s and his search for an easy route through North America to the Pacific Ocean.A recipe from the period is also included. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.Young readers will enjoy this sensitively written new book about Columbus; famous journey and the results of his interaction with the indigenous people he encountered.Features: full-colour maps of the journey; native American culture and customs before and after Columbus' arrival; the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria; the evolution of the world map; the duties and superstitions of the crew, as well as how they dealt with hardships; how the "New World" affected Spain's economy; an authentic recipe. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.In the 1700s, the voyages of British Captain James Cook shed light on what life was really like in the uncharted Pacific. Hired to seek an undiscovered continent known by astronomers and geographers as Terra Australis Incognita, or unknown southern land, Cook proved that it didn't exist, dramatically changing Europeans' understanding of their world. Young readers will also be fascinated by Cook's encounters of the cultures of the native peoples of Tahiti and Hawaii. A recipe from the period is also included. Topics include: Cook's youth as an apprentice and early training in the British Royal Navy; a map of Cook's routes; the discovery of Tahiti, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand; customs of the native peoples, including the Kaua'i, Maori, and Tahitians; Cook's ships, the Adventure and the Resolution; the responsibilities of the crew and how they coped with illnesses such as scurvy; a fun-to-make recipe from the period; the long-awaited transit of Venus; the findings of the Royal Geographic Society. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.When England's Queen Elizabeth I asked Sir Walter Raleigh to search for new lands to claim and colonise, her friend and loyal subject pledged to found a colony in tribute to his Queen. This exciting recreation of the founding, loss, and reclamation of the Virginia colony in the late 1500s also describes Raleigh's unsuccessful search for the fabled wealthy kingdom of El Dorado, the deterioration of his relationship with the Queen , and his eventual execution. Other topics include: England's relationships with Spain and other European powers; Raleigh's travel routes; his later explorations; how Natives in America received Raleigh and how the Europeans treated the Natives; Sir Walter Raleigh's imprisonment in the Tower of London before execution. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.Although prejudiced attitudes in the early 1900s prevented African American explorer Mathew Henson from receiving his equal credit, he and Robert Peary were true partners in the dangerous race to discover the North Pole. This adventurous book describes how they survived exploration in the harsh climate of the Arctic by adopting the ways of the Inuit, and how, despite controversy, they became famous role models upon returning to the United States. Readers will relive the experience of a partnership that left a legacy of scientific and geographic discovery. Other topics include: their life experiences; the events that lead to Henson's acceptance of Peary's proposal; the racism Henson encountered as an African American explorer; doubts about the expedition; their competitors in the race to the top of the world. ... Read more

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Sail down the Ivory Coast with the ancient Phoenicians. Meet the Kublai Khan with Marco Polo. Join the Antarctic explorers in their race to reach the South Pole. Discover vast new lands, plumb the depths of the deepest oceans, and venture into outer space. Find answers to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the world’s greatest adventurers and explorers...

Who was the greatest general & explorer of the ancient world?See page 7.
What was the Silk Road?See page 11.
What caused the Age of Exploration?See page 23.
What was considered the worst crime on the high seas?See page 45.
Who was Ynes Mexia? See page 69.
Who found the source of the Nile River?See page 74.
How did Ballard find Titanic?See page 105.
Who was the first woman in space?See page 135.

Also in The New York Public Library series . . .

Amazing Native American History
Amazing Hispanic American History
Amazing African American History
Amazing Women in American History
Incredible Earth
Amazing Space
Amazing Mythology ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

amazing mythology: a book of answers for kids
I was not very impressed. No pictures, not written for my son's age (8 1/2). I was hoping for tales of Cerberus etc. and they were not there. Too bad, I would not recommend this book to a friend.

Very wide range of cultures
i am a huge fan of The new york public library series. and it just so happens that im obsessed with greek mythology. this was a very good book. it covered the basics of almost every culture that there were stories in. i learned a lot about other countries that i didnt know about. i highly recommend this book. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.In the mid 1600s, legendary fur traders Radisson and des Groseilliers were the first Europeans to explore the upper part of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. This exciting book explains how their trade routes helped open up the mid-west of the United States and Canada and how their discoveries led to the creation of the Hudson's Bay Company, the oldest corporation in North America. Young readers will also be fascinated to read about Radisson's early kidnapping by the Iroquois. Other topics include: previous expeditions before their partnership; the rugged life of a voyageur; the League of Friendship; what a Royal Charter for fur trading and exploration was; the fur trade in North America. ... Read more

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The first voyage around the globe was a daring, high-stakes gamble that changed the world forever.

Portugal dominated the wildly lucrative spice trade, and Spain was desperate for a piece of the action. Spain had everything to gain. Portuguese officer Ferdinand Magellan had nothing to lose. His decades fighting for Portugal had left him with a crippled knee and his king's withering scorn.

And so Magellan left Portugal to lead an expedition for his country's bitter rival, Spain. He knew it would be an exceedingly dangerous voyage, but the reality proved much worse. Killer storms, mutinies, deadly battles, murders, deprivation and disease dogged the four-year journey. Magellan was driven to ever-greater extremes of brilliance, courage, brutality and madness as he sailed around the world.

Magellan's World is the story of a harrowing adventure, an inspiring and flawed hero, and an epic event in the history of the world.

Customer Reviews (1)

For a middle schooler studying the great explorers, Magellan's World will come in very handy
I will never hear Magellan's name again without having my mind refer back to this beautiful picture book. Text and illustrations combined left me feeling as if I had gone around the world with him--or almost around the world, as of course he never did finish the voyage himself. Author Stuart Waldman refrains from the usual political correct tendencies and is respectful albeit realistic as he recounts the historical trip that changed the world map for ever.

The maps in the book add enormously to the understanding of the story--most especially the one depicting the intricacies of the Strait of Magellan, which I had never seen so clearly, yet simply, drawn. The first page is a foldout map than if left open will serve as a guide to the reading on each page.

Although this is a picture book, watch out for more sensitive young children as you read aloud-- you may need to skip some of the more cruel ways with which people were treated. For a middle schooler studying the great explorers, Magellan's World will come in very, very handy. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.Famous for his search for the legendary Fountain of Youth, Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon is credited with the discovery of Florida in 1513 as well as making Puerto Rico and the Gulf Stream known to the Spanish world. This sensitively written new book describes his encounters with the Calusa, the native inhabitants of Florida, and the Taino, natives of Puerto Rico. Young readers will enjoy reading about life at sea and the hardships faced by his crew. A recipe from the period is also included. Topics include: Ponce de Leon's life, from a page, to a squire, to Governor of a plantation; his military successes; his motivation for seeking to settle the "New World"; his discoveries of Florida and of The Tortugas; his plantation Cassava, and its role in future trade routes; the relationships he had with Native Americans: aid from the Taino Indians in farming, and the repulsion by the Calusa Natives from the Florida coast; life at sea for Ponce de Leon and his crew; a recipe for Cassava bread. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.This book outlines Antoine de la Mothe Cadillacs hunger for power and adventure led him to the New World where he founded Detroit, now one of the oldest cities in North America. Features include maps, his family history, and the legacy he left behind. ... Read more

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The conquest of the North Pole was an elusive, almost impossible goal at the beginning of the last century. But a son of patrician parents, Robert E. Peary, and a son of sharecroppers, Matthew Henson, shared a dreamof conquering the unconquered North Pole and were brave enough to risk their lives numerous times before they finally succeeded. Henson’s great physical stamina and his ability to speak Inuit and develop warm relationships with the peoples of the Arctic were indispensable to the quest. He mastered the complexities of the dog sled and led the team across the layers of ice that covered the frigid, threatening Arctic Ocean. Henson and Peary’s jubilation at finally reaching the Pole was later dashed when controversy swirled around their achievement. Even after their deed was recognized, African American Henson’s contribution was largely overlooked. It took the world many years to hail him as a hero of exploration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Disappointed
I'd purchased this book for a younger black child who aspires to be an explorer. I will probably consign it to the trash bin rather than reading it to him.

Book fails to live up to the claims of the published editorial reviews."Stunning archival photographs" are few and mundane. Story line about Black explorer Matthew Henson is minimal and at times minimized.Hardly inspiring.

... Read more

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*This title was chosen as a 2001 Honor Book by the Society of School Librarians International.

On January 14, 1993, four women made history by becoming the first women to reach the South Pole on foot.For sixty-seven days and 660 miles they skied, dragging 200-pound sleds, across the white plains of Antarctica, challenged by its bitter temperatures and strong winds.But the biggest hardships they faced were internal, as each one struggled to keep mental focus, emotional perspective, and physical well being in the face of nearly unyielding stress.

This is a true story, told in diary excerpts, dispatches, letters, and narrative.It is an intimate account of four very different people aiming for a single goal: Ann, whose job as leader ultimately came before personal ambition; Sue, whose early worries first closed her off from others; Anne, who fought the injury and mood swings grinding her down; and Sunniva, whose sprained ankle forced her to accept help as well as give it.Because of their synergy and dedication, all four reached the Pole as a team.But as important for each was the inward journey.

Strong and strongminded women, carving out their own paths in life, are still enough of a rarity in books for teenagers to make this one special.It is illustrated with photos from the expedition.

A Linnet Book.Grades 6-up, xi, 84 p., map, illus., gloss., resources.Library binding, 0-208-02518-9, $25.00. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An unusual blend of autobiography and adventure
This survey of the American women's expedition to Antarctica from 1992-93 is intended for teens and middle school readers but will reach into adult levels as well, providing an unusual blend of autobiography and adventure as author Bancroft and 3 others journeyed to Antarctic. Based on their journals, Four To The Pole is a fine account of their adventures and discoveries. ... Read more

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Each title in this series tells the story of a man or woman whose dedication to their chosen cause led to changes that affect all our lives today. Each includes a vivid description of the world in which the famous person lived. This book tells how the television, now a feature of almost every household in the developed world, began life in the front room of its inventor. John Logie Baird had a passion for inventing things. He was also interested in photography, and the narrative describes how it was this fascination with pictures coupled with his interest in the newly invented radio that fuelled his dream of inventing a machine that could broadcast pictures. Accurate illustrations help the reader understand how Baird's invention worked, and the text brings to life the excitement of the first real pictures transmitted in Hastings in 1926. ... Read more

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Beginning with an overview of manned space flight, Astronauts highlights the lives of Soviet Cosmonaut Uri Gagarin and American astronauts John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Christa McAuliffe and Dr. Mae Jemison. (20020801) ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.This exciting new book covers Cartier's three voyages, including his attempts to build colonies, and his interactions with the Native peoples who lived in the regions he explored. ... Read more

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How did early explorers navigate? Who was the first human to reach outer space? When did the first person reach the North Pole? Kids can find the answers to these questions and many more in this easy-to-use family reference book! Packed with important facts, The Look-It-Up Book of Explorers features 40 concise, exciting accounts of explorers from around the world and throughout time, from the Vikings to the astronauts! Illustrated with photographs, drawings, and maps, this book makes it easy for kids to explore!
Praise for As Far as the Eye Can Reach:
“Kimmel’s work is a well written, lively account for young readers.”
—Kirkus Reviews


From the Trade Paperback edition. ... Read more

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Ages 8 to 14 years.This adventurous new book examines the role of the infamous conquistador Hernando Cortes in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Sensitively written text describes his interactions with the native culture and population and the eventual demise of the Aztecs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Terrific reading for fifth and sixth graders
This National Geographic photobiography of George Mallory's life and the mystery surrounding his death on Mount Everest conveys the sense of adventure explorers like him had in the early part of the 20th century. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired to pursue his or her own adventures.

Children's book
This really is a children's book. It is very short. The pictures are horrible-- washed out black and white, more akin to a pale blue.

A Tale of Everest
The book Mystery on Everest is about renowned English mountain climber George Mallory and his disappearance during his three attempts at climbing the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest. His one reason to try for Everest was "Because Its There". To this day, nothing is known of him if he made it to the summit or not after his third attempt. This photo biography tells the tale of his life in childhood, during the war, his family, and his hobby, mountain climbing. Educated at Cambridge, Mallory was always adventurous, but it wasn't until later on in life that he found his new love in the English hills, mountain climbing. He soon married his first wife and started a family. During World War One, he manned howitzers that pounded German positions behind enemy lines. After the war, he went back to his family. His desire for mountain climbing drew him to join expeditions to Everest in 1921, 1922, and 1924. A team of mountain climbers found Mallory's body in 1999, opening up a vast stockpile of questions that have not been able to be answered since his death. Did Mallory reach the summit 29 years before Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary ?

This photo biography is filled with many interesting pictures that explain more than words. I saw this book on the bookshelf and was instantly drawn to it. This book is very easy to read and had many black and white pictures. I greatly recommend this book to anybody that is interested in mountains, human will, or mystery. ... Read more