History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People

Name: History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People
Brand: Penguin Random House
Availability: InStock
Author: Kate Messner
ISBN: 9780593680575

Author: Kate Messner, Jose Barreiro

Series: History Smashers #8

Narrator: Darrell Dennis

Unabridged: 2 hr 21 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Listening Library

Published: 08/08/2023

Categories: Children's Nonfiction, Native American, Biographical, History, Exploration & Discovery

Synopsis

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 Smashers: The Mayflower, Women's Right to Vote, and Pearl Harbor.

About The Author

KATE MESSNER is passionately curious and writes books that encourage kids to wonder, too. Her titles include award-winning picture books, like Over and Under the Snow; novels, like Breakout and Chirp; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series and the popular Ranger in Time chapter books; and works of nonfiction with a focus on nature and history.JOSÉ BARREIRO is a Cuban-born American writer, journalist, and former professor of Native American studies at Cornell University. He is a member of the Taíno Nation of the Antilles.

Reviews

Goodreads review by June on June 11, 2023

Quick quiz: Who was Juan Rodriquez Bermejo? Answer near the end of review. Although I've had this series' Mayflower book in my digital stash for awhile, I have to admit to having never read it. I'll be remedying that failure soon. In other words, this one hooked me. As a former history major and teac......more

Goodreads review by Melinda on August 29, 2023

Continuing my decolonization through children’s books.......more

Goodreads review by Diana on June 24, 2023

This is a really refreshing look at Christoper Columbus. This book really focuses on the Taino people whom should be in the history books more! This book shows different perspectives and is a great level for elementary school readers. My daughters both read this and the book really sparked a lot of g......more

Goodreads review by Kim Mento on December 24, 2023

I love the History Smashers series. It is perfect for my middle schoolers who want a nonfiction book but need a book that's interesting, easy to read, and less than 300 pages. I have students who have read all of them! I knew that Christopher Columbus wasn't the hero portrayed in my 1980s social stud......more

Goodreads review by Marisa on March 10, 2023

I love this series and am so glad to see one written about Christopher Columbus and the Indigenous People whose lives he forever changed. I will be adopting this as part of my 5th grade social studies for next year and am excited to have such an engaging resource to use with my students. Books like......more

Quotes

"With witty text and entertaining sidebars that add context, this highly illustrated myth-buster will entice reluctant readers and history buffs alike." -School Libray Journal