All the harrowing hardship, and a good dose of historical perspective to boot.
A blow-by-blow account of Ferdinand Magellan’s three-year, globe-spanning journey.
In a vivid infographic, Priebst first fills two pages with 240 tiny, individually drawn figures representing the crews of the five ships that set out for the far-away “Spice Islands” (known today as Indonesia’s Maluku Islands) in 1519 under Ferdinand Magellan—and then later erases all but the 18 ragged survivors who returned aboard the one battered vessel that completed the voyage. But in ready acknowledgment that only hints at the expedition’s full human cost, the author systematically identifies and profiles the Indigenous peoples whom the sailors encountered as they made their way down the coast of South America and across the Pacific—many of whom were soon to be enslaved, displaced, or devastated by European diseases. While retracing in exact detail the long course of that unusually well-documented journey, she introduces readers to Magellan, “the man with the plan,” and also several of the sailors who went with him, particularly the enslaved translator “Enrique” (not his original name) of Malacca, who became the first known person to travel completely around the world. A broad sketch of the spice trade’s long history adds further helpful context.
All the harrowing hardship, and a good dose of historical perspective to boot. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 8-10)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9780711293489
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2025
The historical narrative is of mild interest, but the incorporated toy is off-target in several ways.
A historical overview of archery with a cut-in grip and sturdy plastic wings that unfold to form an actual bow—punch-out cardboard arrows and targets included.
Nayeri opens what he optimistically calls his “weapon of mass instruction” by arguing—rightly, if not exactly cogently—that a bow-shaped book is less dangerous than a bad or careless idea. He continues with a worldwide survey of archery in, mostly, war from ancient times on. Along with cartoon portraits of single archers and battle scenes featuring comically pin-cushioned soldiers, all diverse of skin color and in period dress, Jung adds simple depictions of various types of bows and arrows from many lands and eras. Following a final chapter on Robin Hood and other archers of both myth and legend, 43 blunt, lightweight, detachable arrows, each about 1 ½ inches long, and 10 chicken butts or other small targets of diminishing size offer would-be Katniss Everdeens immediate opportunities to develop their skills on a tabletop or similarly confined range. But as the author admits, this is more a slingshot than a true bow, as the recurved arms don’t actually bend, and all of the propulsive force is provided by the elastic string. Also, enterprising young felons will doubtless ignore his prohibition against shooting at live targets, so even though the “draw” is (probably) too weak to actually drive the provided missiles into, say, an eyeball, there is still some small potential for mayhem.
The historical narrative is of mild interest, but the incorporated toy is off-target in several ways. (bibliography) (Informational novelty. 8-10)Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5235-0119-9
Page Count: 89
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: Nov. 12, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2017
A loving homage to the last baseball clown.
Max Patkin had a very long and rewarding career in baseball, but it wasn’t in the way he originally planned.
He was a good-enough pitcher to earn a place in the minor leagues. In 1942 he was sidelined by an injury and joined the Navy. After surgery he was good to go: to Hawaii to play baseball with other professional players as a way of entertaining the troops. He played with and against the likes of Pee Wee Reese and Joe DiMaggio. When DiMaggio hit a very long home run against him, Max followed him around the bases, mimicking his motions and garnering laughs and cheers from players and spectators. After the war he played in the minors again, but injuries ended his playing days. But his comic routines were remembered, and he was asked to perform at exhibition games all over the country. Everyone seemed to love his over-the-top slapstick and hilarious performances. Vernick displays warm affection for Patkin, describing his antics in amusing anecdotes that are followed by quoting his signature line, “True Story!” Bower’s colorful cartoons manage to capture the essence of Max’s goofy appearance and all-out efforts to elicit every bit of fun he could invent in the game he loved so much. It was a different time.
A loving homage to the last baseball clown. (author’s note, sources) (Picture book/ biography. 8-10)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-544-81377-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
