October 1, 2020
Grades 3-6 There's no lack of books on American colonial life, but this one, part of the Questioning History series (4 titles), stands out for its up-front explanation that European invaders to this continent didn't find an uninhabited land. The title also provides an unusual focus on how the groups that arrived weren't monolithic, coming at different times, for different reasons, and not always agreeing with one another's New World choices. Native views on colonial history, such as derision towards Thanksgiving, are also discussed, as are Native experiences with European diseases and deceit. Illustrations are the usual fare for books on the colonies, mostly stock color images of drawings or etchings depicting life in the early days of Virginia and elsewhere. Recommended for public and school library collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)