Columbus Day (Holiday Histories) [Paperback]

Mir Tamim Ansary (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Holiday Histories

It is the second Monday in October and school is closed. But do you know why? It's Columbus Day of course! Turn the pages of this book to find out: how Columbus got lost but still became a hero, why native Americans are sometimes called Indians, how other countries celebrate Columbus Day. Each book in the Holiday Histories series describes one of America's holidays or special days. Explore the history of each day and learn the real reason why it is important. Discover what special meaning each day might have for you.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Each book details the history of the holiday, sharing past events that shaped today's celebration. Columbus Day salutes the spirit of discovery while emphasizing that there were people already in the Americas. Labor Day reminds readers that the labor-union movement brought about laws keeping children out of the workplace and in school. Remembering Dr. King's dream is the theme of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The titles have two-to-three lines of text per page and boldfaced words are defined in a glossary. Unfortunately, all three books are oversimplified and try to cover too much information. Black-and-white and full-color photographs and reproductions, at least one per page, illustrate each volume.

Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

About the Author

Mir Tamim Ansary is a Heinemann-Raintree author. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Library (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1588104303
• ISBN-13: 978-1588104304
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7.7 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,278,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Negative American History book, December 21, 2009

By 

Judy "Judy" (Lakeland, FL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Columbus Day (Holiday Histories) (Paperback)

It is disgusting that some public school elementary teachers are allowing this book in their classrooms. The author, who was born and raised in Afganistan, presents a very negative image of Christopher Columbus and is attempting to rewrite American History.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, accurate teaching of Columbus, November 10, 2008

By 

Diane (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Columbus Day (Holiday Histories) (Paperback)

This book is refreshing. It gives complete background and well-explained details of Columbus's world, and a more accurate historical perspective, depicting Columbus as intelligent, but also clarifies his mistakes. It explains how he thought he was in the Indies. I especially like the fact that the Native Americans' "side of the story" is also told...i.e. "How can you "discover" a place when there are and have been inhabitants for thousands of years?" This book is an excellent tool for teaching children a more accurate account of historical events.