From Ferdinand Magellan and Sir Francis Drake to lesser-known scientific explorers and even an unknown mariner, a batch of new nonfiction works share previously overlooked stories set during the age of discovery. These titles expand our thinking about the people and missions that jumpstarted maritime travel and commerce.
In Search of a Kingdom: Francis Drake, Elizabeth I, and the Perilous Birth of the British Empire
Laurence Bergreen, Mar 2021, Custom House, an imprint of Harper Collins
Themes: World history, Maritime history, British empire, Age of Discovery
IN SEARCH OF A KINGDOM is an engaging nonfiction narrative exploring Francis Drake, his major voyages of exploration, and his relationship with Elizabeth I.
Take-aways: Educators will find the relationships among the key players along with the specifics of Drake’s expeditions to be helpful in understanding the bigger picture of piracy, enslaved people, diplomacy, and the quest for fame and riches during this period.
Conquering the Pacific: An Unknown Mariner and the Final Great Voyage of the Age of Discovery
Andrés Reséndez, Sep 2021, Mariner Books, an imprint of Harper Collins
Themes: World history, Spanish history, Maritime history, Age of Discovery
CONQUERING THE PACIFIC shares an amazing account of a mid-16th century Spanish expedition that crossed the Pacific Ocean and returned. Launched from a secret port in Mexico, the crew included a Black mariner who captained the small, lead ship.
Take-aways: Of particular interest are the many examples of navigational techniques necessary to successfully cross this challenging ocean. In addition, the book details encounters with the Pacific Islanders and an assortment of near-disasters.
Latitude: The True Story of the World’s First Scientific Expedition
Nicholas Crane, Oct 2021, Pegasus Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
Themes: World history, Maritime history, Expeditions, Age of Discovery
LATITUDE is a fast-paced nonfiction narrative tracing the adventures of a dozen eighteenth-century European scientists who made important discoveries about global navigation and other amazing achievements.
Take-aways: STEM educators will find this true story of scientific discovery to be an engaging way to teach youth about perseverance and the quest for knowledge.
Straits: Beyond the Myth of Magellan
Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, Mar 2022, University of California Press
Themes: World history, Maritime history, Expeditions, Age of Discovery
STRAITS revisits the life of Ferdinand Magellan separating the fact from fiction through surviving primary sources while providing useful insights and context.
Take-aways: Historically, textbooks have glossed over the life of Magellan and portrayed him as the hero of the age of discovery. This work is effective in providing a more realistic and comprehensive examination of this historical figure.
Whether helping educators keep up-to-date in their subject-areas, promoting student reading in the content-areas, or simply encouraging nonfiction leisure reading, teacher librarians need to be aware of the best new titles across the curriculum and how to activate life-long learning. - Annette Lamb
