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143rd out of 415 books
—
400 voters
Encounter
When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492, what he discovered were the Taino Indians. Told from a young Taino boy’s point of view, this is a story of how the boy tried to warn his people against welcoming the strangers, who seemed more interested in golden ornaments than friendship. Years later the boy, now an old man, looks back at the destruc...more
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
September 20th 1996
by Sandpiper
(first published 1992)
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This is the story of Columbus's first landfall in the new world, San Salvador, 1492. It is told with eloquence and prophetic wisdom from a Taino boy's point of view. The child thinks the ships are great birds and the the strange pale faced visitors have come from the sky. In innocence they are welcomed, but the boy's fears of the strangers foreshadow the future colonization and enslavement of the natives by the European invaders.
Since most stories of Columbus's voyages are told from the Europea...more
Since most stories of Columbus's voyages are told from the Europea...more
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Summary
Encounter is a book about the discovery of America from a Taino tribal boy’s point of view. The boy had bad dreams about the Spanish arriving on their land. He warned his people not to welcome the strangers, who did quite look like people because of the color of their skin and the coverings of their body, on their land. They didn’t listen to him because he was a child. When the strangers left the next day, they took 5 young men, the boy and lots of parrots with them. The boy quietly escap...more
Encounter is a book about the discovery of America from a Taino tribal boy’s point of view. The boy had bad dreams about the Spanish arriving on their land. He warned his people not to welcome the strangers, who did quite look like people because of the color of their skin and the coverings of their body, on their land. They didn’t listen to him because he was a child. When the strangers left the next day, they took 5 young men, the boy and lots of parrots with them. The boy quietly escap...more
This book is about the San Salvadorian's view of Christopher Columbus's discovery of America. In the POV of a young boy, you see what the they may have seen and read what they may have thought. At the end there is an Author's Note that lays down many facts about the discovery of America.
This book would be a great resource to use during your discussion of the discovery of America. It shows you that Christopher Columbus did not discover North America, like some students my believe. This could also...more
This book would be a great resource to use during your discussion of the discovery of America. It shows you that Christopher Columbus did not discover North America, like some students my believe. This could also...more
I see how some people are bothered by the excruciating truth this story wishes to Impart to young readers. The story of Columbus is not a happy one for everyone. Not everything needs to be written and illustrated with rose colored glasses. Children, I am sure were terrified by the white men in weird clothes and crazy talk. I don't think you had to be there to know that, and I think the author explains that she is merely writing a fictionalized account of what happened and took into consideration...more
I really wanted to like this book. If you look in the children's section for Columbus books, it's all a glorious rewriting of history, but this book tells it from a native Taino's perspective.
What I don't like about it is the narrative simply presents a negative impression of European conquistadors without presenting actual negative actions taken, which can only be found in the author's note at the end. (Some actions taken within the narrative, like planting the flag or bringing the native on b...more
What I don't like about it is the narrative simply presents a negative impression of European conquistadors without presenting actual negative actions taken, which can only be found in the author's note at the end. (Some actions taken within the narrative, like planting the flag or bringing the native on b...more
Encounter is the story of Christopher Columbus from the point of view of a native Taino boy. The boy dreams of strangers coming to their island and posing a threat to his people. He tries to warn his people, but no one listens because he is a child. The story shows how the Taino eventually lost their culture and language because of this encounter. This book presents an alternate perspective from the traditional versions found in most history books.
Themes: Taino culture, Columbus, greed, slavery
P...more
Themes: Taino culture, Columbus, greed, slavery
P...more
When Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas, he was met by a gentle people identified as the Taino of San Salvador. Within a few years, the tribe virtually vanished through violence when they sought to resist the European invasion, and through the diseases brought by the new-comers.
Encounter interprets first contact through the eyes of a young Taino boy, and we vicaiously experience his uneasiness and distrust of the foreigners. Near the end, he is taken prisoner,intended to be made...more
Encounter interprets first contact through the eyes of a young Taino boy, and we vicaiously experience his uneasiness and distrust of the foreigners. Near the end, he is taken prisoner,intended to be made...more
Christopher's first encounter with the Taino Indians as his ships landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492 was not the pretty picture as many historians have led it to be as this young boy who had attempted to warn his village against, and remembers how his culture and civilization were destroyed by these strangers. The point of view told in this story was from that young Taino Indian recollecting how his village was in such awe of the gold ornaments and fancy clothing that they have forgott...more
Grade/Interest level: Upper Elementary
Reading level:760 L
Genre: Historical Fiction
Main Characters: Taino boy
Setting: island of San Salvador in 1942
POV: from Taino boy
This story takes place in 1942 surrounding Christopher Columbus’ landing onto the island of San Salvador. It is told through the eyes of a young Taino boy who had a dream about strange people who come to his land to bring harm to his people. When the Taino people first encountered Colombus and his crew, they were confused because th...more
Reading level:760 L
Genre: Historical Fiction
Main Characters: Taino boy
Setting: island of San Salvador in 1942
POV: from Taino boy
This story takes place in 1942 surrounding Christopher Columbus’ landing onto the island of San Salvador. It is told through the eyes of a young Taino boy who had a dream about strange people who come to his land to bring harm to his people. When the Taino people first encountered Colombus and his crew, they were confused because th...more
Encounter by Jane Yolen (29 pages), told through the eyes of an Taino boy(now a man). It's about Christopher Columbus coming upon an island with an established culture and civilization. It questions was the island discovered or taken from the Taino's tribe. The pictures really enhance the story and give you a feeling of being there. There are staues, a serpent, and other historical attributes. I would read it to 2nd grade and above because of some of the language understandability, such as one p...more
This book is a wonderful tool to utilize while introducing students to explorers and Christopher Columbus. Yolen's Encounter is told from a Taino boy's point of view; fiction based upon research. It gives its reader a different perspective from one they are most likely used to hearing about Columbus and his 1492 explorations. It brings up a powerful message, and shows the profound effect his exploration had on Native Americans. You feel empathy for this young boy and his tribe.
There are many won...more
There are many won...more
As Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador a young Taino boy accounts the strangers arrival. He describes how the strangers were so different from anyone on the island. Their clothing, skin color, and language were so different. But they almost behaved like human beings since they laughed and gave strings of beads and hats that made the boy not so afraid. The boy was among five natives taken prisioner from their land. The boy escaped and lived to warn others to be afraid of the strangers tha...more
A brilliantly done picture book that imagines the first encounter between Columbus and the native people of San Salvador. The story is told from the perspective of a young Taino boy who has doubts about the arrival of the white men. Shannon's illustrations are the perfect complement to the text, skillfully telling the other side of the story just as much as Yolen's words do. In particular, there is a truly horrifying two-page spread that features the white men leering at the natives' gold. That...more
This is a very powerful book and I think it sends a strong message to children. This tells the story of Columbus' landing from the perspective of a young Indian boy. It tells a very different perspective than what children are traditionally exposed to. I think that as a teacher, this book really has a lot of options. It could be used with a more traditional Columbus book to show how the perspective of a story changes when you think about a story from different characters point of view. However,...more
The story of Columbus from the perspective of a young Taino Indian. It's great because it presents the other side -- strangers out for your gold who take your land etc. I like how certain objects are described the way someone who had NO idea what they are would describe them....a mirror is a pool that gives a man back his face, for example. What I don't like is that it is both too heavy and depressing -- angry -- regarding the European takeover of the Americans for children but also too simplist...more
This story of the encounter between Taino Indians and Spanish explorers is told from the point of view of a Taino boy with uneasy premonitions about what the strangers bring. The boy's warning are not heeded, and although he escapes being taken by the Spaniards, the epilogue informs us that no Taino remain today. It's a melancholy book, and David Shannon's illustrations, although colorful, are vaguely menacing. It's a valuable counterpoint to the usually triumphant narratives of the 'discovery'...more
There are countless children's books about Columbus. They vary greatly in quality, but they almost all have one thing in common - they are told from a white European point of view. So, it seems nice to have this one book which offers up a different perspective. Of course, even that is problematic. Since we don't have a written record of how Native American's truly felt about their earliest interactions with European explorers any book told from that point of view has to be conjecture. But, of co...more
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- This is a wonderful book to read with children when discussing the encounter of the European explorers and the Tanio Indians. The story is of Columbus’s first landing on the island of San Salvador in 1492. The story is told from a young Tanio boy’s point of view. The young boy is very scared and fearful of the strangers, which foreshadows the harsh times that were to come for the Tanio Indians. The story gives reason for Columbus to be seen as a change agent for the world, and not a hero.
It is always interesting to read children's books on Christopher Columbus. Yolen's book is commendable because it is told from the perspective of the native people that Christopher Columbus came into contact with. This would be a great book to read aloud or include in a study on explorers, colonization, or Native Americans. This perspective does not glorify Christopher Columbus but presents the realities of how the Native Americans were treated and the cultural exchange between the two groups.
WHY: Columbus's arrival through the eyes of a Taino Indan boy who has a foreboding dream about the newcomers. His warnings aren't heeded by the tribe's elders. A thought-provoking book on imperialism & colonialism. Related reading: Time article "Before Columbus," 10/19/98, pp 76-77, detailing recent archeological discoveries about the Taino tribe. Interesting companion book: "Me, All Alone, at the End of the World." -from Jim Trelease's "Read Aloud Handbook"
Great book for parents/teachers seeking stories to counteract the dominant Columbus as hero narrative or even just looking to show an alternate perspective. Particularly poignant is the boy's questioning whether the visitors are human because they are covered in colorful cloth that makes them look to him like parrots. Must mention that the pictures are just as, if not more memorable, than the story itself.
A story told from the perspective of a young Native American boy about the enterance of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. Sometimes Thanksgiving is portrayed as beautiful event and the other side of the story can be neglected. The students should know the other side of the story.
Great to have a deeper discussion about the celebration. Maybe develop their own conclusions. What was right/ wrong?
Great to have a deeper discussion about the celebration. Maybe develop their own conclusions. What was right/ wrong?
The Taino are a beautiful, gentle people and this picture book truly captures this beauty through the language and illustrations used. The story is told through the eyes of a Taino boy who cautions his chief and his people not to welcome Christopher Columbus and his men. Read to find out what happens to the Taino people when they disregard the words of the young boy. This tale will capture your heart.
Many kids come to me thinking that Christopher Columbus was a great hero. I love to challenge the other side of the story and challenge them to think about who he may have really been. Jane Yolen does a beautiful job depicting the "other side". Kids really get this book and it causes them to really think. I read it aloud every year during our study of early explorers.
In my opinion, this book is necessary for every student learning American history. Although this book is fiction, it realistically contrasts perspectives and gives voice to those silenced by colonization. I give thanks to Jane Yolen for helping students discover America through the eyes of the Tainos. This book compliments other books about Christopher Columbus.
I really enjoyed the PERSPECTIVE of this book! The viewpoint is a Taino boy on the island where Christopher Columbus first landed. It's a short picture book, but it is so well done. We always heare the white guy's side of the story, so this was new and interesting. I also enjoyed the end notes from both the author and the illustrator. Check it out!
Mar 24, 2013
Matthew
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-picture-books
This retelling of Christopher Columbus's first landfall is told from the point of view of a Taino boy who senses that it will be bad from the time that the ships lay anchor in the harbor. He sees through all the supposed kindnesses that Columbus and his men offer and is one of the Taino that are tricked into being kidnapped by the sailors when they depart. He luckily jumps overboard, however, and returns to the islands to warn his people. Sadly, his warnings go unheeded because he is a child, an...more
We read this book for school. The story Columbus' exploration of the new world is told from the perspective of a native child on one of the islands. It provides fodder for great conversations about point of view and explotation, among other subjects. If you want to offer something other than the typical Columbus propaganda, this is a good choice.
Jane Yolen tell us the story of the first encounter between Christopher Columbus and the New World,from the point of view of a Taino boy from San Salvador,his first landfall on his conquest of America. As always with Jolen,she hits another home run,...interesting,entertaining,and fact-filled,beautifully illustrated by the amazing David Shannon.
This is a good 4th grade book for explaining how the Native Americans interpreted and wondered about the European explorers, specifically Christoper Columbus. For example, a sword is described as a "sharp silver stick." Also, this story is told from the point of view of a 9-10 year old boy which makes it relatable to 4th grade students.
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Yolen was born at Beth Israel Hospital, the first child of Isabel Berlin and Will Hyatt Yolen. She and her family moved to California when she was young but returned to New York a few years later. After her younger brother was born, her father joined the army and served on the European front during WWII. Yolen spent her childhood taking piano lessons, ballet dancing and writing a neighborhood news...more
More about Jane Yolen...
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