#MMGM: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People (History Smashers) by Kate Messner and Jose Barreiro
ABOUT THE BOOK
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about Christopher Columbus, and learn all about the Taino people. Perfect for fans of the I Survived books and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean and discovered America. Right? WRONG! Columbus never actually set foot in what is now the United States. His voyages took him to islands in the Caribbean and along the coast of South America.
The truth is, when Columbus first arrived, Indigenous peoples, including the Taino, had been living there for thousands of years, raising their families, running their societies, and trading with their neighbors. He didn’t “discover” the lands at all! And his name? Not even really Christopher Columbus! Cowritten by bestselling author Kate Messner and our country’s premier Taino scholar, this fascinating addition to the series is the one that teachers have been asking for and that kids need to read.
Discover the nonfiction series that demolishes everything you thought you knew about history. Don’t miss History The Mayflower, Women's Right to Vote, and Pearl Harbor.
REVIEW
Kate Messner's History Smashers series adds a new volume with this book about Christopher Columbus and his interactions with the Taino people of the Caribbean. Using illustrations, comics, and primary source quotes, Messner and Barreiro introduce middle grade readers to Columbus's 1492 voyage as well as his subsequent visits to the the islands of the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America. Ironically, he never actually landed in North America despite the statues, lessons, and national holiday founded in his name. The authors' explanation of what is actually known about Columbus and his explorations is combined with theories and educated guesses from historians all told in a very easy to read manner. The use of a variety of formats makes the book especially friendly for middle grade readers with illustrations or photographs or sidebars on every two-page spread. The large, nicely spaced text makes for pleasant reading. Informative and intriguing, the authors also take care to address some of the myths that have made Columbus so legendary over the years. The end of the book also presents an explanation for Columbus's rise to fame in the United States despite his never setting foot on it. A fascinating read about an influential figure from history and the impact he had on the Americas.
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