The Boy Who Sailed with Columbus

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Not just another quincentennial volume, this sweeping, original tale recounts the fictional adventures of Leif, an orphan boy recruited by Columbus to sail aboard the Santa Maria . Along with a skeleton crew, he is left behind on one of the islands to start a colony and await Columbus's return. At this point, the story shifts its focus to the native peoples of the New World. Leif is kidnapped and taken under the wing of a blind medicine man who instructs him in the ways of a shaman and takes him to a place ``that stretched all the way to the sunset'' (what is now North America), where together they journey from tribe to tribe imparting wisdom and native lore. If the authors falter at all here, it's in trying to cover too much ground--towards the end of the story, for example, time telescopes and the pace begins to seem rushed. But that's a minor flaw in such an ambitious, well-researched and well-executed book, especially one punctuated by Foreman's exquisitely haunting, light-drenched watercolors. Along with Jane Yolen's Encounter (Children's Forecasts, Mar. 9), this alternative Columbus tale will satisfy readers ready for meatier fare. Ages 6-10. (Apr.)

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- This beautifully illustrated and imaginative story combines factual information with a sensitive treatment of Native Americans. Leif, an orphan, is chosen by Columbus to be a ship's boy because of his good character, Viking ancestry, and singing talent. The lad's admiration for the captain diminishes as he becomes aware that Columbus plans to force some of the natives to accompany him to Spain. He is not disappointed when Columbus leaves him behind as punishment for causing the Santa Maria to run aground. The boy is taken captive and is trained to assist an old blind traveling wise man who teaches him to be a medicine man. Renamed Morning Star, Leif travels to the northern parts of the mainland, collecting stories, increasing his knowledge, and becoming something of a mystic. He eventually returns, marries, and has sons and then grandchildren of his own. After many years, he sees ships anchored offshore. Remembering how Columbus captured natives, Morning Star takes his family and begins the long walk to the west. Foreman's luminous watercolors, many of which are full page, are competently executed and are perfect accompaniments to the text. The cover art and picture-book format will attract readers to this moving and thought-provoking fictional account. --Jean H. Zimmerman, Willett School, South River, NJ