Gunderson, Jessica. Christopher Columbus: New World Explorer or Fortune Hunter?

Gunderson, Jessica.  Christopher Columbus: New World Explorer or Fortune Hunter?  Capstone Publishers  2014  32p  ISBN 978-1-4765-0242-7     elem  VG  Biography

Upper elementary students are presented with a biography of Christopher Columbus.  Students gain a better understanding of Columbus and his talents as a sailor and the role he played in helping discover America.  The author discusses Columbus’ journeys, adventures, and business endeavors as he carefully planned  his next adventure on the seas.  During his journey to the unknown land and more than two months at sea, his sailors were starting to doubt they would ever see land sailing on the Santa Maria.  When the sailors finally saw land, they were relieved.  The Santa Maria and the two ships that followed, the Nina and Pinta, discovered San Salvador.  Once on land and in nearby islands, Columbus and his sailors sought gold.  The author touches upon colonization, the slave trade, and the trouble in the colonies.  Students read of Columbus’s involvement in opening up trade for Europeans and settling much of the New World.  Some people believe that Columbus was courageous and determined, while others think he was violent and greedy.  Readers will most likely choose one side or the other based on their own beliefs.

The author includes color photographs and maps, interesting fact boxes, personal quotations, a glossary of terms, a list of recommended books and internet sites, an index, and critical thinking questions.  For schools that use Accelerated Reader, an existing quiz is available for students to take (AR Quiz #160461).

As of this review, four titles have been released in this series, which explores the lives of some of history's most famous (or infamous) figures, including Andrew Jackson, Benedict Arnold, Christopher Columbus, and John Brown.    

Columbus, Christopher-Biography                    --Charleen Forba-Mayer