Synopses & Reviews
"In a simple, short biography of Columbus she has been extraordinarily successful in extracting the essence of the man."The Horn Book Christopher Columbus thought he knew where he was going. He had planned to be the first to cross the ocean and reach the rich lands of the Indies. And when he returned to Spain, he insisted to everyone who would listen that he'd succeeded. But that wasn't exactly true. Little did Columbus know that his mistake would come to be known as America!
"Fritz's unconventional look at the great explorer who accidently discovered the New World reveals the navigator's obstinate as well as his visionary side."School Library Journal
Review
Praise for WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS?
An ALA Notable Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Notable Childrens Book of the Year
An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists
A Child Study Childrens Book Committee (Bank Street College) Childrens Book of the Year
* “Vividly related… interesting.”—School Library Journal, starred review
“Well written and informative.”—Childrens Literature
“Intriguing and entertaining.”—Booklist
Synopsis
Newbery Honor author Jean Fritz takes us on a historic tour of Christopher Colubus "In a simple, short biography of Columbus she has been extraordinarily successful in extracting the essence of the man."--The Horn Book Christopher Columbus thought he knew where he was going. He had planned to be the first to cross the ocean and reach the rich lands of the Indies. And when he returned to Spain, he insisted to everyone who would listen that he'd succeeded. But that wasn't exactly true. Little did Columbus know that his mistake would come to be known as America
"Fritz's unconventional look at the great explorer who accidently discovered the New World reveals the navigator's obstinate as well as his visionary side."--School Library Journal
Synopsis
Christopher Columbus thought he knew exactly where he was going. Little did he know that this biggest mistake would turn out to be one of history's greatest discoveries!
Synopsis
"In a simple, short biography of Columbus she has been extraordinarily successful in extracting the essence of the man." -- The Horn Book. "Fritz's unconventional look at the great explorer who accidently discovered the New World reveals the navigator's obstinate as well as his visionary side." -- School Library Journal
Synopsis
Learn all about Christopher Columbus' early life at sea, which led him to seek fortune by sailing west in hopes of creating new trade routes with the Indies. Kids will read about why he called himself the "Great Admirald of the Seas" and learn of all his struggles to find finacial support for his voyage.
About the Author
"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in
The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."
In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.
An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.
copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.