In Search of the Grand Canyon: Down the Colorado with John Wesley Powell (Redfeather Books) [Paperback]

Mary Ann Fraser (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Redfeather Books

On May 24, 1869, Major John Wesley Powell and his nine-man crew set off to explore the unmapped stretches of the Colorado River. Tracking the day-to-day drama of Powell's expedition, author-illustrator Mary Ann Fraser takes us through roaring rapids, terrifying whirlpools, and stunningly beautiful canyons.

A School Library Journal Best Book
A Book Links "A Few Good Books" of 1995

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. In spite of nearly continuous disasters, including the loss of supplies, raging rapids, and personality clashes, John Wesley Powell and his band of hardy explorers became the first white men to chart the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. Fraser traces Powell's three-month journey down the river in this informative text, which also quite clearly conveys the danger, excitement, and nonstop action of the adventure. She relied heavily on Powell's writings and the journals of other crew members and has included many passages in her work. Readers will enjoy her account of the trip, as well as her observations about Powell's farsighted views on water management and on the treatment of Native Americans. A bibliography is supplied. Chris Sherman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Fraser traces Powell's three-month journey down the river in this informative text, which also quite clearly conveys the danger, excitement, and nonstop action of the adventure....Readers will enjoy her account of the trip, as well as her observations about Powell's farsighted views on water management and the treatment of Native Americans."--Booklist

"Fraser places the readers in the boats, and does an excellent job of conveying the excitement and dangers of the journey in vivid detail....Liberally illustrated with period photographs and etchings, maps, the author's own line drawings, and attractive contemporary pictures of the canyon....An excellent selection on Western history and expansion."--School Library Journal, starred review

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Redfeather Book from Henry Holt (November 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805055436
• ISBN-13: 978-0805055436
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,174,232 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Ann Fraser is the author and/or illustrator of over sixty books for children in fiction and non-fiction, from preschool to middle grade. Most recently she wrote and illustrated PETSHOP LULLABY, MERMAID SISTER and I.Q. GETS FIT. Her awards include a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Book Links Book of the Year, IRA Young Readers Choice Award, and American Booksellers "Pick of the List." She writes and draws pictures in Southern California where she can garden, hike, and visit the beach twelve months of the year. You can learn more about her at www.maryannfraser.com or visit her blog at http://maryannfraser.wordpress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Give this to your kid on her first river trip., September 30, 2005

By 

Mike Smith (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: In Search of the Grand Canyon: Down the Colorado with John Wesley Powell (Redfeather Books) (Paperback)

This is a very simplistic book about John Wesley Powell's first expedition down the Colorado River. It doesn't say it's a kids book, but I'm pretty sure that's its main audience. It's a quick read, and not bad, and even adults familiar with the subject might find a unique fact or two in it.

For instance, did you know some scientists think the Anasazi Indians abandoned their homes due to a drought so severe that the Colorado River itself completely dried up? I thought that was interesting, and the book also resurrects some insightful quotes from Powell's lesser-known book about the Arid Lands.

If you're a desert person, and you want your kid to be also, you might consider getting him or her a copy of this...with a river trip brochure tucked inside the front cover.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good reading., May 21, 2010

By 

Kayaknutt (LA MIRADA, CALIF) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In Search of the Grand Canyon: Down the Colorado with John Wesley Powell (Redfeather Books) (Paperback)

After a long kayak trip on the Green river in Utah, I listened to excerpts from a JWP BOOK, Ibought this book & enjoyed it very much!