You Wouldn't Want to Sail With Christopher Columbus!: Uncharted Waters You'd Rather Not Cross

The Danger Zone

by Fiona Macdonald, David Antram, David Salariya

This fun and interesting, interactive series will enthrall young readers by making them a part of the story. Readers will become the main character and can revel in the gory, dark, horrific side of life throughout important moments in history. Humorous "Handy Hints" that relate directly to the text are provided on each spread. You (the reader) are a young boy living in a coastal village in Spain during the late 15th century. It's your dream to become an explorer, and you jump at the chance to join Christopher Columbus on his voyage to find a new route to Asia. Learn what tools are used for navigation, what life is like on a 15th-century sailing ship, and how Columbus accidentally finds the West Indies. After reading this book there will be no doubt in your mind that these are uncharted waters you'd rather not cross.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Childrens, American History, 2nd Grade, Adventure

32 pages, Library Binding

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Fiona Macdonald studied history at Cambridge University and at the University of East Anglia. She has taught in schools, adult education and university, and is the author of numerous books for children on historical topics.

Reviews

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We enjoyed it, but it was a little too much for even my 6 yr old. Lots of words and concepts that just made it really long, this was definitely meant for older kids. On the plus side, the cartoonish illustrations and fun facts about what it must have been like to be on Columbus's crew were a lot of fun. We'll try and use this when the kids are older.

[Kiel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Illustrations are very cute and funny. Low rating because not much information was given on Columbus and they almost completely glossed over how he treated the native peoples of the countries he landed on.

[Luci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, too much pizzazz.

[Winddancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is FANTASTIC--FAN. TAS. TIC. Packed with cartoon-like pictures depicting the well-researched yet humorously presented reality of whatever the title of the book is, this series gives reluctant readers--and even some avid readers--an honest description of what life was like in various time periods. Highly recommended for the elementary classroom. I've used these books with fifth graders reading below grade level with fabulous results.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!! I thought the text and illustrations were both so hilarious!!! Not only is this book engaging and stimulating, but it is full of historical facts and perspectives of Columbus' voyages. It asks the reader to put him or herself in the place of a 10 year old sailing with Columbus. It makes a distant historical event relateable.
Overall, this book is funny, accurate, and visually stimulating!!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. I like all the information and great pictures. Sometimes history is not a happy place but these books tell the truth (as we know it) and puts it in a way that younger kids can read and not be put off by it. Christopher Columbus was not a nice guy but he did how some amazing voyages.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very cute for children of all ages. it does not talk that much about Christopher Columbus himself rather more about the journey he takes. It talks about all the hard things about his journey but that it was worth it in the end! This book has a ton of facts about Columbus' journey.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to use for ideas of teaching history. I used this book for part of a history lesson I am doing over explorers. It gave me the idea to ask students the questions posed in this book have then answer them through journaling.

[Corinne Hatcher]

get the whole series, kids love them!

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives

[Alliecat50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful info about sailing in the time of Columbus. Seems as if the reading/interest level is for 3rd or 4th graders.

[Prw41894]

I loved how this book emphasized the importance of journeys and the steps it takes to follow one. It was cool that it came from the writer's perspective and the pictures were awesome.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students love this series and found this book useful during our American History unit on colonization.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT resource about Columbus/sailing the high seas. Lots of pictures and easy to understand text.

[Mrjoslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read about what it was like for explorers like Columbus. I will definitely use it when we learn about explorers in my 5th grade room.

[Kelly Carey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish more time was spent on the harm that Columbus caused in regards to the native people of the areas he explored.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher (9yo) read as an assignment for our history class.

[Laura Hoyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My class of third graders really enjoyed this book- lots of great information and perfect for our units on Explorers and Nonfiction!

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unmistakably, the Spanish destroyed the entire totality of the Taino people in Cuba but there were many Taino tribes that survived in Puerto Rico and many of the inhabitants today are of mixed blood of said Spanish and Taino. Many English and German later went to Cuba to Colonize further exterminating the indigenous people. Yes, Columbus went to war with the Indigenous people of the Americas but let's not paint the Native Americans of the New World as saintly people, I mean, there were cannibal tribes...'nough said.

It's a shame that the English pirate ships commissioned by Queen Elizabeth were not mentioned. Undoubtedly, the Spanish, Portuguese and the Italians were the explorers of the early Americas but England was still in the mud until they started stealing from the Spanish galleons.

The witty humor is undeniable.
"You can't get used to the system of watches-four hours on duty, then four hours rest- so you feel tired all the time."
"Praise The Lord! Each day begins and ends with a religious service the first is at 3 A.M., when a cabin boy sings a hymn."

In the back of the book, it mentions that Ponce de León never found the Fountain of Youth but he did find what he thought was the Fountain, just go to Saint Augustine to find it. I wouldn't recommend drinking the water, it's filthy.

[Noelani · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter liked it enough, but I can read her anything so that doesn’t say much. I wasn’t that fond of it. I don’t think I’ll do another “You wouldn’t want to” book again. I’m not against cartoon-y, but it was bits and pieces of information that had no real flow or story. Kind of a jumbled mess.

[Megan Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate this education on Columbus, that not too far for or against him, but a part of history in his own time. Line near the end: "He is sad and mistaken, but don't forget his voyages changed our view of the world forever."
Fun, active reading style, puts you in the choices of history.

[Hannah Alane · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are seriously fun. It’s like a super silly DK book.

This one takes you on a voyage with Columbus. What preparations are you taking? What would your cabin look like? Would you lose hope on the voyage like the rest of your shipmates?

Tons of fun!

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

good book for younger kids

[Mariah Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our group read this in a book club and this is what we think. We gave it three stars because it did not grab our attention like other books have. But it did add a humorous effect to the facts which made it better to understand. The illustrations had a lot of detail that made the book more interesting. The handy hints gave a lot of hilarious hints and good details for us to do in real life. The labels under all the pictures described the motion and it goes along very well with the story as we are reading. It could've been better if it had more details about why not to sail with Christopher Columbus specifically and more about him. Also it could've added a little more facts and less pictures.