Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Scholastic Inc.
Pages
80
Description
The cabin boy on the "Santa Maria" keeps a diary which records his experiences when he sails with Columbus on his first voyage to the New World in 1492.
Description
It is August 3, 1492 and Pedro de Salcedo has had little experience at sea or aboard a ship. But he can read and write — a rare skill for a boy of his times — and because of this, he is assigned as ship's boy to a sailing vessel bound for India. The ship's commander is a man who calls himself "Captain General of the Ocean Sea." He is a man known for leading morning prayers and for his fiery temper. He is Christopher Columbus, and Pedro de Salcedo, along with the 40 other men aboard the Santa Maria, are riding with him into history.
From August until October of 1492, Christopher Columbus and the ships under his command — the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria — sail into the great unknown, searching the seas for a western route to India. Pedro keeps a journal of the voyage. He describes the hopelessness shared by some of the men on board after so many months on the open sea, and the near mutiny that Columbus overcomes before land is finally spotted on a moonlit horizon on October 12, 1492. The beach on which Columbus steps is given the name of San Salvador. Pedro remains by his captain's side — and keeps writing in his journal — throughout the months Columbus and his men explore the Americas to claim what they find in the name of the king and queen of Spain.
Pam Conrad based her novel on extensive research of Columbus and his historic voyage. Telling her story through journal entries made by the young Pedro allows the reader a personal and unique perspective on the events that would shake worlds, both old and new, on either side of the Atlantic. When the Santa Maria finally makes it back to Spain in February 1493, after many harrowing months, storms and squalls, Pedro de Salcedo, it is said, never returns to the sea again.
"A good classroom read-aloud." — Booklist
From August until October of 1492, Christopher Columbus and the ships under his command — the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria — sail into the great unknown, searching the seas for a western route to India. Pedro keeps a journal of the voyage. He describes the hopelessness shared by some of the men on board after so many months on the open sea, and the near mutiny that Columbus overcomes before land is finally spotted on a moonlit horizon on October 12, 1492. The beach on which Columbus steps is given the name of San Salvador. Pedro remains by his captain's side — and keeps writing in his journal — throughout the months Columbus and his men explore the Americas to claim what they find in the name of the king and queen of Spain.
Pam Conrad based her novel on extensive research of Columbus and his historic voyage. Telling her story through journal entries made by the young Pedro allows the reader a personal and unique perspective on the events that would shake worlds, both old and new, on either side of the Atlantic. When the Santa Maria finally makes it back to Spain in February 1493, after many harrowing months, storms and squalls, Pedro de Salcedo, it is said, never returns to the sea again.
"A good classroom read-aloud." — Booklist
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1991
Physical description
80 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0590462067 / 9780590462068
Similar in this library
Lexile
1030L
User reviews
LibraryThing member HollyBrunner
This book, while not specifically about the American Revolution, is more about the voyage over to the colonies. This book could be used as a pre-introduction to the American Revolution to build prior knowledge before jumping into the Revolutionary War.
LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
Young Pedro, a boy who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his voyages, recounts in his journal the sights he sees and the adventures and dangers he encounters on the trip. Reprint.
Subjects
Awards
NCTE Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K—Grade 6 (10th Edition: 1988-1992)
Call number
J3H.Con