Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars: 1689-1763 (The American Story) [Hardcover]

Betsy Maestro (Author), Giulio Maestro (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: The American Story

As early as 1630, Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands had settlements or colonies in North America. Always looking for ways to expand their territory, these European nations were constantly at war with one another over trade, borders, and religious differences. Beginning in 1689, their conflicts in Europe spread across the Atlantic to America. Over the next seventy years, competing European powers would battle for control of the New World. The winner would take the prize -- all of North America.

Struggle for a Continent tells the riveting story of the French and Indian Wars seventy-four years of fighting that determined the destiny of the future United States.

Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2001, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-In this richly illustrated title, the Maestros bring an important part of our country's history to life. Seventy-four years of events are chronicled in a running narrative that begins by explaining how four European nations fought over trade, borders, and religion, and competed for the North American continent. While Spain and the Netherlands withdrew almost immediately, England and France continued to fight for 70 more years in a series of confrontations. These battles are covered in the text, as are the relationships that these two countries had with the Native American tribes. Full-page, double-page, and spot-art illustrations in pen and ink, watercolor, and colored pencil flow across the pages and extend the text. All are captioned. Several colorful maps are also included. Endnotes provide additional information on a few individuals, the Iroquois League, and life during the Colonial period. This accessible book fills a gap for young history buffs and report writers.
Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. With text by Betsy and artwork by Giulio, the Maestros bring history to life in a new entry in the picture-book American Story series. The French and Indian Wars, called by several names during a 70-year period, were a struggle between the French and the Algonquian tribes on one hand and the English and the Iroquois tribes on the other. The French saw America as a vast resource for the lucrative fur trade; the English saw it as a place to send a troublesome populace and to build settlements. The indigenous groups allied themselves with the Europeans for a variety of reasons, including weaponry. The text is a model of clarity, balance, and nuance: European alliances, massacres on both sides, slavery, and double dealing are all noted, along with descriptions of strategy, tactics, and the conflicting needs of divergent groups. A wide variety of beautifully delineated pictures--maps, townscapes, seascapes, battlefields, and portraits--add to the spirited sweep of the text. A fine resource. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (September 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688134505
• ISBN-13: 978-0688134501
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > Children's Books > History > Europe
  • #57 in Books > Children's Books > History > Military & Wars
  • #78 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > Colonial & Revolutionary

More About the Author

Betsy Maestro is the author of the "American Story" series, illustrated by her husband, Giulio. She has also written several other non-fiction picture books, including the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out science books How Do Apples Grow? and Why Do Leaves Change Color?
The Maestros live in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars French and Indian Wars, April 3, 2009

By 

Annette Hartstein "book genie" (Audubon, New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars: 1689-1763 (The American Story) (Hardcover)

This book adds some much needed background information to the lessons surrounding the revolutionary war in a colorful, fun manner. It explains the attitude of the British prior to the war.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, May 31, 2008

By 

homeschool mum 2 four (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars: 1689-1763 (The American Story) (Hardcover)

History is a lot more fun when combined with the beautiful pictures and informative, easy-to-read text in this book. We have been able to use the entire series as the foundation for our elementary history curriculum combined with other activites. I highly recommend these books to others looking for an enjoyable way to study history together.