Marco Polo: Marco Polo and the Silk Road to China (Exploring the World)

Michael Burgan has written numerous books for children and young adults during his nearly 20 years as a freelance writer. Many of his books have focused on U.S. history, geography, and the lives of world leaders. Michael has won several awards for his writing, and his graphic novel version of the classic tale Frankenstein (Stone Arch Books) was a Junior Library Guild selection.  Michael graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in history. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his cat, Callie.

Grade 5-8-These introductory titles open with a short description of how each man's childhood experiences motivated him to devote his life to exploration. They then cover the men's journeys, describing what they were searching for and what they actually found, and close with accounts of their deaths and brief analyses of the impact of their discoveries. The authors are largely objective about their subjects, describing their bravery and dedication as well as their lust for power and wealth. They also detail how the men, especially La Salle and De Soto, treated the native peoples they encountered. All three books are heavily illustrated with both period art and modern location photos; each one also includes a detailed map of the explorer's travels. However, although these titles are attractive, they are very brief, and coverage could only be described as superficial. There is little space for any real examination of these men's complex, often contradictory personalities or for background about the countries they represented, and there is limited analysis of their legacies. Numerous extant titles offer much more comprehensive information.
Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
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