Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean Fritz (Author), Margot Tomes (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

"In a simple, short biography of Columbus she has been extraordinarily successful in extracting the essence of the man." -- The Horn Book. "Fritz's unconventional look at the great explorer who accidently discovered the New World reveals the navigator's obstinate as well as his visionary side." -- School Library Journal

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."

In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.

An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399207341
• ISBN-13: 978-0399207341
• ASIN: 0698115805
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 8.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( F ) > Fritz, Jean
  • #28 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( C ) > Columbus, Christopher
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries

More About the Author

"The question I am most often asked," Jean Fritz says, "is how do I find my ideas? The answer is: I don't. Ideas find me. A character in history will suddenly step right out of the past and demand a book. Generally people don't bother to speak to me unless there's a good chance that I'll take them on." Throughout almost four decades of writing about history, Jean Fritz has taken on plenty of people, starting with George Washington in The Cabin Faced West (1958). Since then, her refreshingly informal historical biographies for children have been widely acclaimed as "unconventional," "good-humored," "witty," "irrepressible," and "extraordinary."In her role as biographer, Jean Fritz attempts to uncover the adventures and personalities behind each character she researches. "Once my character and I have reached an understanding," she explains, "then I begin the detective work--reading old books, old letters, old newspapers, and visiting the places where my subject lived. Often I turn up surprises and of course I pass these on." It is her penchant for making distant historical figures seem real that brings the characters to life and makes the biographies entertaining, informative, and filled with natural child appeal.An original and lively thinker, as well as an inspiration to children and adults, Jean Fritz is undeniably a master of her craft. She was awarded the Regina Medal by the Catholic Library Association, presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award by the American Library Association for her "substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature," and honored with the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, which was presented by the New York State Library Association for her body of work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Living" Book for History Study, June 15, 2011

By 

Tracy Jayasinghe (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? (Mass Market Paperback)

Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? is a book which gives an overview of the man and his voyages. It is friendly, approachable, and witty.

It gently pokes fun at Columbus and his ego- and ethnocentric view of the world, like when the author pointed out how shocking Columbus found the naked natives to be, and vice versa.

It displays the role his religious beliefs played in his explorations and actions. For example, when his first voyage went well he believed it was a miracle, but when his second voyage went poorly he thought God was punishing him for his prideful behavior. Because of this he took to wearing a scratchy shirt and monk's robe instead of his normal clothes.

It includes fun details that make the scenes real, like informing the readers that Columbus took cats on voyages to control the shipboard rats.

While it doesn't specifically detail any atrocities, it does tell of Columbus taking native slaves, and of the Spaniards left behind being massacred. Overall, it is a balanced and enjoyable tale to share with students of a broad age range to make this part of history come alive.

If you have a chance to hear the recording read by Jean Fritz it is delightful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars middle grades -- humorous, October 20, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? (Mass Market Paperback)

Kids get a kick out of this book. Columbus takes himself SO SERIOUSLY. It's a good biography, works in a bit of context, and you get to see the stubborn side of Columbus.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative with interesting illustrations, January 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Where Do You Think You're Going, Christopher Columbus? (Hardcover)

Nicely done. Jean Fritz relates to children of "all ages". A necessary compliment alongside the more encyclopedic versions.