The Earliest Americans [Hardcover]

Helen Roney Sattler (Author), Jean Day Zallinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Presents the scientific evidence for the origins of the earliest people in the Americas and describes the accomplishments of their culturally diverse descendants prior to the arrival of Europeans in 1492.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The experienced collaborators responsible for such popular and useful works as Baby Dinosaurs and Sharks have produced a fascinating chronological survey of the many civilizations that flourished in the Americas from 22,000 to 500 years ago, or before European contact. With her customary care, Sattler clearly sets out several of the most established theories about who the earliest Americans were, where they came from and when they arrived. She explains how anthropologists and archeologists gather information from fossils and other remains, and she contrasts various aspects of diverse ancient American civilizations with those of Europe, Asia and Africa, discussing, for example, shelter, agriculture, customs and technology. The late Sattler's writing, while reliable and well sourced, may be a bit more dry here than in her previous works; however, Zallinger's highly detailed pencil drawings, maps and charts consistently amplify the text. Those looking for information on civilizations generally not well represented in children's nonfiction will find this involving, and even adults will appreciate its chronological charts, extensive bibliography and comprehensive index. Ages 9-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-- In a handsome companion volume to her Hominids (Lothrop, 1988), Sattler chronicles the arrival of humankind to North America. Drifting across the former land bridge between Siberia and Alaska, or following a now-drowned coast, hunting bands and family groups dispersed throughout the Americas, tolled by herds of game; flocks of migratory waterfowl; and bounty of fish, mollusks, and edible vegetation. The polished text follows this human flow, recording the adaptation of these ancient peoples to an enormous range of climatic and geographical diversity. Specific archaeological sites are examined, recording the development of agriculture and advanced technologies among some peoples, culminating in the flowering of strong nations and great empires. Other investigations determine the cultural growth of groups who clung to hunter/gatherer traditions. The author presents theories on migration patterns, dates, and technological developments, indicating whether they are widely accepted or hotly debated. This scholarly whole is accompanied by several maps, an index, and a time line of contemporary cultures and developments in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. There is also an extremely detailed 14-page bibliography listed chapter by chapter. Zallinger's strong, meticulous, sepia-tone artwork is informative as well as decorative, and are placed to complement the text. Large format, attractive illustrations, elegant type face on fine cream paper, and careful balance of text and illustration present The Earliest Americans as an inviting package that lives up to the expectations it engenders. --Patricia Manning, Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (April 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395549965
• ISBN-13: 978-0395549964
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,663,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This is a review of the Book "The Earliest Americans", March 21, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Earliest Americans (Paperback)

I believed that this book was very factual and informational. I thought that the author was a little repetative in some of the points she tried to make, but for the most part it was a good source and it would be an excellent guide for school projects and essays. There were a lot of descriptive and entertaining illistrations that you could refer to to understand the text better. Overall, this book was worth the time to read it.
hannah D.

5.0 out of 5 stars GRANDMOTHER INTERESTED IN HISTORY, September 29, 2010

By 

Joan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Earliest Americans (Paperback)

OUTSTANDING BOOK FOR OLDER CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADULTS. IT TELLS A THOROUGH STORY OF MAN'S ARRIVAL IN THE AMERICAS, WITH INFORMATION OF THE CONFLICTING THEORIES. THERE ARE EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATIONS AND CHARTS TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY. IT APPEARS TO BE BASED ON CONSIDERABLE RESEARCH. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

6 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars NOT CREATION SCIENCE - Evolution and Neanderthals, October 8, 2003

By 

Mary Bain (Mission, TEXAS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Earliest Americans (Paperback)

For those who believe in Creation Science, this book makes some disturbing statements. The book states that the first settlers in the Americas could have arrived 100,000 years ago, and that Neanderthals were a culturally advanced "subgroup" of Homosapiens that possibly intermixed with "modern" Homosapiens. While much of the information is interesting and is substantiated by artifacts, there is also some conjecture. Although children can learn much about the Indians of the Americas by reading this book, I believe parents who believe in Creation Science should read the book first, then use discretion and guidance with their children.