Pedro's Journal (Apple Paperbacks) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The ship's roster of the Santa Maria has me down as Pedro de Salcedo, ship's boy..." (more)
Key Phrases: Santa Maria, Martin Alonso, Canary Islands

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The ship's boy of the Santa Maria keeps a diary of his adventures in Christopher Columbus's company on that famous 1492 journey. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Pedro, one of three ship's boys on board the Santa Maria, acknowledges that he was hired on not for his seamanship, but for his ability to read and write. Conrad uses the device of a journal to tell of his adventures with Columbus, a man whom Pedro admires, but who also engages in fiery rages and penitent Hail Marys. The details of mutinous murmurings, falling stars, and false land sightings that are described in Susan Martin's I Sailed with Columbus (Overlook, 1991), Miriam Schlein's I Sailed with Columbus (HarperCollins, 1991), and Genevieve O'Connor's The Admiral and the Deck Boy (Shoe Tree, 1991) appear in this narrative as well, but in a tighter, more concise telling. Pedro's journal is a vivid revelation of the details of the voyage as well as the time period. Readers see the boy's discomfort in the explorer's proprietary treatment of the natives and, in particular, his shame that these people are allowed to believe that the Spaniards are deities. Koeppen's line drawings, many of the ships and their equippage, add dimension to the plot. One of the most pleasing of this season's Columbus offerings, Conrad's story will serve as an attractive alternative to nonfiction reading on the subject and certainly as a read-aloud. --Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro, NC
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; Reprint edition (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590462067
• ISBN-13: 978-0590462068
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #239,877 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #45 in

  Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pedro's Journal for 5th grade Class, November 1, 2002

By	"bbguarini" (Plymouth Meeting, PA United States) - See all my reviews

Pedro's Journal was read by my 5th grade classes to learn more about Christopher Columbus and his journey. It was perfect for a class of mixed ability readers, it's history was well researched, and it engaged the students. We used it for a Literary Circle book. I highly recommend it for Social Studies, Language Arts, or an example of journal writing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read Pedro's Journal, December 2, 2003

A Kid's Review

Pedro's Journal, written by Pam Conrad, is about a boy who loved the sea. He went out to sea with Christopher Columbus to find the new land. The captain thought he would be useful because he can read and write. He goes back and forth from ship to ship each day. The weather is terrible. The storms are on and off. Finally they get there. They find that the Indians are very useful. So they bring some Indians aboard. It took them longer to get back to Spain. Finally they get back to Spain. The last place Pedro is seen is when he is walking up toward his mother's house. I would recommend this
book to a friend.

3.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a storyteller's perspective, October 7, 2009

By	miss minerva "mom O' 4" (Central Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews

My son and I just finished reading, "Pedro's Journal." We both enjoyed this book and I took the opportunity to help him map out where Pedro's adventures led him. I have one significant caveat. This is definitely told from the author's perspective. Pam Conrad is admittedly not a historian. Therefore, I found myself telling my son that a boy with Pedro's life experience, perspective and age would most likely not be making such harsh judgements regarding his captain, Christopher Columbus. We will be reading, "Christopher Columbus: Across The Ocean Sea (Heroes of History)" by Geoff and Janet Benge next.