Christopher Columbus (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) [Paperback]

Stephen Krensky (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Step into Reading

Illus. in full color. Youngsters can celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's fateful voyage with this dramatic, easy-to-read account of a pivotal moment in American history. "

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- Describing Columbus's first voyage, Krensky writes in the present tense and asks a number of questions, such as "What if the wind stops blowing?" to make readers aware of the reasons for the sailors' fears and of Columbus's courage in attempting the trip. He includes some facts about the crew and shipboard life. The writing is clear and objective, with no fictionalization. It is less choppy than many beginning readers, but is easy enough for the intended audience. Green's watercolor illustrations include maps showing the world of 1492 and that of today. Unfortunately some of the colors are poorly reproduced, so that the Indians and several of the Spaniards appear to have blue hair. Vicki Liestman's Columbus Day (Carolrhoda, 1991) contains more information about the reasons for the voyage and the Spaniards' treatment of the Indians. Krensky's book adds little that is new to the growing body of books about Columbus, but it is an acceptable purchase for collections in which there is a demand for easy biographies. --Jean H. Zimmerman, Willett School, South River, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Enlivened by attractive full-color artwork, including maps and a cutaway view of the ship, the straightforward account is a good choice at this reading level."--Booklist.  

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (August 20, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679803696
• ISBN-13: 978-0679803690
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( C ) > Columbus, Christopher
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Historical
  • #48 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Starter Book For Learning About Columbus., August 2, 2002

By 

Deborah Ava Esposito (Mons, Belgium) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christopher Columbus (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

Hi. This book is nice and informative without being too long and boring. It will most likely appeal to children around 5 or 6 through about 9 or 10. After that, they may want to read another, more in depth biography about this remarkable and fearless sailor and explorer.
The illustrations are realistic and well done.
I, as a parent, felt that the ending was a bit weak, but children will certainly gain a better understanding and clearer picture of the explorer, and his sacrifices, upon reading this book. Wording is simple and uncomplicated. A step 2 book.
Good information, good book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Columbus for young readers, September 27, 2010

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christopher Columbus (Step Into Reading: A Step 3 Book (Pb)) (Hardcover)

I must admit, my kindergartener and I are great fans of the Step Into Reading series of books. Since my daughter had completed the Step 2 books in the Step Into Reading series of books, I decided to go ahead and purchase the Step 3 books. I was a bit hesitant because I noticed there is quite a big leap between the Step 2 and Step 3 books, especially in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure. The vocabulary is more advanced with higher order words, and the sentences are longer. I was also concerned that my daughter might not like the topics which seemed to be more 'academic' with history-based stories. My worries were unfounded. She loves the books and is reading them with very little help from me (and I enjoy listening to the stories!)

These books are excellent for building children's reading skills as well as increasing their confidence in reading. Once you've completed the Step 1 and Step 2 books (I would advise proceeding level by level), the Step 3 books are not as daunting as they might first appear. In "Christopher Columbus", young readers (intermediate level) will delight in the adventures of Columbus and his crew, enhanced by vivid, full color illustrations.

I can't recommend these books highly enough - they are great for building reading skills, and also educational. This book is a great introduction to Columbus for children ages 5 and up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic book, September 23, 2008

By 

T.S "Shopper Mom" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Columbus (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

Early readers, slightly advanced readers, this fairly short book is interesting and informative. If your kid needs to grasp history a little better, this is a book to look at. It's done in a way that kids enjoy and actually pay attention to. Worth the money, easily.