Christopher Columbus: The Voyage That Changed the World

Sterling Biographies

by Emma Carlson Berne

Christopher Columbus made the voyage that, for better and worse, changed history. Born in the bustling port city of Genoa, Italy, Columbus fell in love with the sea, and spent his youth learning all he could about steering and navigating a ship. Dreaming of wealth and fame, he believed he could find a new route to the Indies by sailing westward. Expert biographer Emma Carlson Berne paints this compelling portrait of his life and times in a language that will help children follow his journeys to the “New World.” With careful attention to context, she explains how Columbus won support for his expedition, what happened when he finally reached land, what effect his arrival had on the native people, and how he ultimately clashed with the Spanish crown.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, Science

124 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2008

About the author

Emma Carlson Berne is the author of the YA thrillers STILL WATERS and NEVER LET YOU GO (coming Fall 2012 from Simon & Schuster). She has also written the thrillers FIGMENT and CHOKER under the pen name Elizabeth Woods. She lives and writes in Cincinnati. Learn more about Emma and contact her directly at her website, www.emmacarlsonberne.com. Or check out Emma Carlson Berne Books on http://www.facebook.com/EmmaCarlsonBe... or follow her on Twitter.

Reviews

[Samuel Bierig · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine I suppose. ill give 'em this, they didn't shy away from his many flaws

[Zahra Ibenkhayat]

Friday, October 17th

Christopher Columbus: The Voyage That Changed the World.

Christopher Columbus was an Maritime explorer, colonizer and navigator born 31 October 1451 in Genoa, Republic of Genoa and he died 20 May 1506 in Valladolid, Crown of Castile. He traveled four times across the Atlantic sea. He spent his childhood learning how to navigate.

Christopher Columbus made a voyage that changed the world in a good way but had also bad consequences. Between 1492 and 1503 he completed four round trip between Spain and Americas all under the Crown of Castile. These voyages made the beginning of the European exploration and colonization of the American continents.
He visited many countries and conquered a lot of them. He didn’t want to colonize all of them. The American cintinent was named after Amerigo Vespucci and not Columbus because Amerigo was the first person that came into America.

The first voyage of Columbus was 3 August 1492. The depart was from Palos de la Frontera, he traveled with three ships which are carrack, Galician and Pinta. Then, he went to San Sebastian de La Triana he stayed five weeks accross the ocean. He traveled in many places. Christopher Columbus was very famous because he was the person that conqueres most of lands.

[Aranrúth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part of the Sterling Biographies series, this is the biography of Christopher Columbus starting with his middle-class birth and ending with his death. The main focus is on his voyages to the new world and covers all four voyages. The book includes a timeline of Columbus’ life, illustrations, a glossary, index and bibliography. There is an attempt to seem balanced in the portrayal of Columbus, but it tends to try and distance itself from the hero of the world portrayal and over compensates, going too far into the idea that the Europeans were evil and villainous while the natives were good and peaceful. This book is quite in-depth for a children’s book, making it good for older elementary and middle school students.

[Kandyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well rounded biography about Columbus for fourth/fifth graders. Good descriptions without being overwhelming. Also doesn't shy away from some of the negative characteristics of Columbus.

[Amber]

This was a good book and I think I am actually going to use it for a unit study when my daughter gets to American History.