Biographies/Informational Books # 5

Author: Russell Freedman
Title: Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
Publisher: Clarion Books Date: 2007

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Most people believe that Columbus was the first to arrive in the Americas. That is what we are taught throughout our whole childhood, but was he really the first? What about China, and what about Leif Erickson? Or maybe there were indigenous people who lived here.. This is the story of them all, and who really discovered America.

Strengths:
This book is a great read for elementary school children. It takes a lot of historical information and turns it into a readable book for children. The information is presented in a fun manner, and accompanied by various artworks. The pictures really help break up the text and make the book more exciting. The new approach on the topic is also something children would be interested in, and the book does a great job of explaining the different theories.

Concerns:
Like all informational books, a few sections of the book are bogged down with facts. The overload of information is inevitable in a book like this, and although they usually do a good job at breaking up the tedious parts, sometimes there is a bit too much information.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great addition to a history class period about America. It can be used in a variety of ways, and can really help the children understand. It can be a read aloud, or independent read, or useful in a group project.