Who Discovered America? [Hardcover]

Valerie Wyatt (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Who discovered America? There's no simple answer. The question points to an ongoing mystery of continent-sized proportions. Christopher Columbus stumbled upon America in 1492 while looking for a western route to the Indies, but he wasn t the first. The Vikings settled briefly on the coast of Newfoundland hundreds of years before him, and left ruins to prove it. Explorers from Portugal, China, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and elsewhere can also stake claims. In addition to investigating all serious claims, award-winning author Valerie Wyatt delves into the continents' most ancient mysteries, some stretching back 40,000 years. Who Discovered America? reveals that historical sleuthing takes many years of hard work, puzzle solving and comparing legends and artifacts.Young readers will find the question of who discovered America much less simple, and much more fascinating, than they ever dreamed.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—With interesting sidebars and engaging illustrations and photos, this "whodunit" of sorts describes, on a spread each, evidence for the journeys of various groups who discovered, or claimed to have discovered, this continent. Since most explorers arrived here by water, boats play a large role in the story. In the early 1400s, for example, "swimming dragons," with decks bigger than football fields, set out from China. Wyatt writes clearly about how scientists unlock clues to how and when various groups could have made landfall. Columbus gets a mention, along with the Norse, Welsh, Irish, Africans, and, of course, the aboriginal settlers from Asia. The time line dates from 40,000 years ago to Columbus's voyage. Raising perhaps more questions than it answers, this book leaves it to readers to decide the solution to the mystery. It complements Russell Freedman's more in-depth Who Was First?: Discovering the Americas (Clarion, 2007).—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
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From Booklist

This large-format book considers the question “Who Discovered America?” and offers a series of possible answers: Christopher Columbus (probably from Italy) for Spain (1492), João Vaz Corte-Real of Portugal (1472), Zheng He of China (1421), Nicolo Zeno of Venice (1558), Prince Madoc of Wales (1170), the Vikings of Vinland (1000), and St. Brendan of Ireland (560). It also discusses archaeological finds regarding early inhabitants of the Americas, including discoveries near Clovis, New Mexico; in Monte Verde, Chile; and near Kennewick, Washington. Eventually coming to the conclusion that we will never know who “truly discovered the Americas,” the book nonetheless offers succinct introductions to the explorers and well-balanced discussions of prehistoric peoples who have an even better claim. A timeline and glossary are appended. Each double-page spread presents a topic through lively text and excellent photos, maps, drawings, and sidebars. An engaging introduction to the topic. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554531284
• ISBN-13: 978-1554531288
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,479,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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