- historical fiction following a boy’s adventure as ship boy for Christopher Columbus
- gives readers a view of the rough side of a sailor’s life
- Pedro (the boy) is ashamed at Columbus’s capturing natives to make them servants
- several mentions of various Catholicism rituals (rosary, Hail Marys, pilgrimages, Mass)
- clean language
Type: chapter book
Ages: 6-10
Author: Pam Conrad
Illustrator: Peter Koeppen
Written like a journal, it was quite interesting to read of this journey from a boy’s perspective! From my understanding, there aren’t many original documents or written histories of this time, so all sorts of stories abound. This book paints Columbus as an egotistical, slightly crazy man while others don’t.
Regardless, it gives young readers a great glimpse of what life at sea is all about and is a good read. If you’re studying this era in history, it would be a pleasant addition for your child. The dates of the “journal” are August 3, 1492 – February 14, 1493.