Americans Before Columbus

Last updated
Americans Before Columbus
AmericansBeforeColumbus.jpg
First edition (publ. Viking Press)
Author Elizabeth Chesley Baity
Illustrator C. B. Falls
Publisher Viking Press
Publication date
April 27, 1951
Award Newbery Honor (1952)
ISBN 9780670121663

Americans Before Columbus by Elizabeth Baity is a children's book about the history of pre-Columbian cultures in America illustrated by C. B. Falls. It was published in 1951 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1952. [1] In the book, Elizabeth Chesley Baity talks about the history of the tribes of people in South and Meso-Americas from the time of the Ice Age when they crossed the Bering Strait up until Spain's arrival. The author gives insight through the archaeologists findings on how each individual culture of American Indian lived, what their history was and what became of them. Focusing on the Aztecs, the Mayans, the Iroquois, the Incas and the different important builders and people throughout the continents, she teaches about each individual group and compares them to the readers modern life. Though some of the information is outdated now, it is inundated with information and written for children to begin them on the path towards history and archaeology.

Contents

Summary

Americans Before Columbus begins with discussing the Ice Age and how humans crossed the Bering Strait and reached the New World and the reason archeologists were able to figure this out was because of the art the people created while passing through; such as cave art, baskets and stone weapons. Then after hundreds of years of spreading out across the continents in the western hemisphere, each group began to remain sedentary, so cultures such as the eskimos up north, the cliff dwelling basket makers in the Rocky Mountains, the citadel hunter/gatherers in Mexico or the Incas in the south began to gain different customs and social behaviors such as religion, hierarchies and ways of maintaining one's home and group. Through the work assembled by the patient and tireless efforts of the excavators, scientists, photographers and artist, Elizabeth Baity creates a book that goes into great deal explaining the process of how those ancient cultures came to be, and how modern day people were able to discover and learn about them.

Reception

Americans Before Columbus received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews , who called it a "thrilling notebook" and noted, "The writing is informal, but covers a great amount of material, and the author never attempts to stifle her enthusiasm for the subject". They concluded by saying it is "a deep dish with a eady flavor -- a future staple on history shelves, and a tempting first glimpse at the science of archeology." [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bering Strait</span> Strait between Asia and North America

The Bering Strait is a strait between the Pacific and Arctic oceans, separating the Chukchi Peninsula of the Russian Far East from the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. The present Russia-United States maritime boundary is at 168° 58' 37" W longitude, slightly south of the Arctic Circle at about 65° 40' N latitude. The Strait is named after Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer in the service of the Russian Empire.

<i>Number the Stars</i> Novel by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars is a work of historical fiction by the American author Lois Lowry about the escape of a family of Jews from Copenhagen, Denmark, during World War II.

<i>Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices</i> Poetry book by Paul Fleischman

Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices is a book of poetry for children by Paul Fleischman. It won the 1989 Newbery Medal.

<i>Secret of the Andes</i>

Secret of the Andes is a children's novel by Ann Nolan Clark. It won the 1953 Newbery Medal.

<i>1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus</i> 2005 non-fiction book by Charles C. Mann

1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus is a 2005 non-fiction book by American author and science writer Charles C. Mann about the pre-Columbian Americas. It was the 2006 winner of the National Academies Communication Award for best creative work that helps the public's understanding of topics in science, engineering or medicine.

<i>A Visit to William Blakes Inn</i>

A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers is a children's picture book written by Nancy Willard and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, published by Harcourt Brace in 1981. The next year Willard won the annual Newbery Medal and the Provensens were one runner-up for the Caldecott Medal from the professional children's librarians. William Blake's Inn was the first Newbery-winning book to also be named a Caldecott Honor Book. Last Stop on Market Street later won the 2016 Newbery Medal and a Caldecott Honor.

<i>Adam of the Road</i> 1942 childrens novel by Elizabeth Gray Vining

Adam of the Road is a novel by Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining. Vining won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1943 from the book. Set in thirteenth-century England, the book follows the adventures of a young boy, Adam. After losing his spaniel and minstrel father, Adam embarks on a series of escapades throughout medieval England. The book is illustrated by Robert Lawson.

<i>The White Stag</i>

The White Stag is a children's book, written and illustrated by Kate Seredy. It won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature and received the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. The White Stag is a mythical retelling that follows the warrior bands of Huns and Magyars across Asia and into Europe, including the life of Attila the Hun.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Enright</span> American writer

Elizabeth Wright Enright Gillham was an American writer of children's books, an illustrator, writer of short stories for adults, literary critic and teacher of creative writing. Perhaps best known as the Newbery Medal-winning author of Thimble Summer (1938) and the Newbery runner-up Gone-Away Lake (1957), she also wrote the popular Melendy quartet. A Newbery Medal laureate and a multiple winner of the O. Henry Award, her short stories and articles for adults appeared in many popular magazines and have been reprinted in anthologies and textbooks.

<i>The Long Winter</i> (novel)

The Long Winter is an autobiographical children's novel written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and published in 1940, the sixth of nine books in her Little House series. It is set in southeastern Dakota Territory during the severe winter of 1880–1881, when she turned 14 years old.

<i>Rufus M.</i> 1943 novel by Eleanor Estes

Rufus M. by Eleanor Estes is the third novel in the children's series known as The Moffats. Published in 1943, it was a Newbery Honor book. The title character is the youngest of four children growing up in a small town in Connecticut in 1918.

<i>Story of the Negro</i>

Story of the Negro by Arna Bontemps is a children's history book published by Knopf in 1948. It was the first African-American authored book to receive a Newbery Honor.

Julia Sauer was an American writer of children's fiction and librarian. Two of her books, Fog Magic and The Light at Tern Rock were among the annual Newbery Medal runners-up. Both are set in Canada, where Sauer frequently vacationed.

<i>Last Stop on Market Street</i> 2015 childrens book by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Last Stop on Market Street is a 2015 children's book written by American author Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson, which won the 2016 Newbery Medal, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and a Caldecott Honor. The book follows a young boy named CJ as he learns to appreciate the beauty in everyday things during a bus ride. De la Peña and Robinson both drew on personal experiences when working together to create the book. Through its story and illustrations, Last Stop on Market Street tackles issues of race and class as they may be seen through the eyes of a young teen. Last Stop on Market Street was met with widespread acclaim after its release, receiving positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews and the New York Times Book Review amongst many others. Last Stop on Market Street's Newbery win was monumental, as it is extremely rare for picture books to be awarded this medal. In 2018, the children's book was adapted into a children's musical which has been performed by various children's theater groups across the country.

<i>The Planet of Junior Brown</i> (novel) Book by Virginia Hamilton

The Planet of Junior Brown is a 1971 young adult novel by Virginia Hamilton and illustrator Jerry Pinkney. It is about two boys, Junior Brown and Buddy, who with a school janitor, Mr. Pool, construct a mechanical solar system.

<i>Hello, Universe</i> 2017 novel written by Erin Entrada Kelly

Hello, Universe is a 2017 novel written by Erin Entrada Kelly. The novel is told from the perspectives of four middle school students as one of them becomes trapped in a well. Hello, Universe received the 2018 Newbery Medal.

<i>Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut</i> 2017 picture book by Derrick Barnes

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a 2017 picture book by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James. The book, Barnes' first picture book, is a poem describing a boy's feelings and experience while getting a haircut. James, who was not the first choice to be the illustrator, wanted the oil color illustrations to have the feel of fine art.

<i>New Kid</i> 2019 graphic novel

New Kidis a 2019 graphic novel by Jerry Craft. The novel tells the story of a 12-year-old African American boy named Jordan Banks who experiences culture shock when he enrolls at a private school. Taking place over Jordan's freshman year at a prestigious private school, he has to adjust to a new school, experiences and witnesses microaggressions, and makes friends with other students. The book is semi-autobiographical for Craft, who based the book on his experiences in a private school and those of his two sons. While he wishes the book to be appreciated by a wide range of readers, Craft particularly wanted it to accurately reflect a present-day African American experience.

Elizabeth Chesley Baity was an American academic and children's author. Her book Americans Before Columbus was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1952.

<i>A Wish in the Dark</i> 2020 childrens book by Christina Soontornvat

A Wish in the Dark is a 2020 children's fantasy novel by American author Christina Soontornvat. It is a retelling of the 1862 novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, and contains elements inspired by Thai culture. The book received positive reviews from critics and won a Newbery Honor and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

References

  1. "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". American Library Association. 1999-11-30. Archived from the original on 29 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  2. "Americans Before Columbus". Kirkus Reviews . Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2023-09-11.