AROUND THE WORLD IN A HUNDRED YEARS

Deftly navigating the politically correct waters of revisionist history, Fritz surveys the brief period, beginning early in the 15th century (when the world known to Europeans consisted mostly of Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia), during which most of the globe's coastlines were first mapped. She firmly places ten such daring explorers as Diaz, Columbus, and the atypically kind Balboa within the context of their own culture, depicting their curiosity and greed, and their cruelty and courage, with an even hand. As always, the Wilder medalist turns in a fast-paced narrative enriched and enlivened by fascinating stories and details of the sort that rarely appear in standard textbooks; her wry wit is much in evidence—but never at the expense of truth—in descriptions of these men who pushed the world's boundaries but thought nothing of enslaving native peoples along the way. Venti's soft-pencil illustrations pick up amusingly on Fritz's humor (though not on the wry indignation that frequently propels it), while his frequent maps help to clarify the journeys. (Nonfiction. 7-11)