Your Life as an Explorer on a Viking Ship

by Thomas Kingsley Troupe, Jeffrey Ebbeler (Illustrator)

Overview

You just tried out for the school play. Who wants the lead part more than anyone? YOU! Imagine sailing the high seas without a care in the world. Storming castles for gold and jewels. Wearing a horned helmet. But be careful what you wish for. That might not be the way it was for an explorer on a Viking ship …

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781404872523
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	01/01/2012
Series:	The Way It Was
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	720L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Thomas Kingsley Troupe is the author of a big ol’ pile of books for kids. He’s written about everything from ghosts to Bigfoot to 3rd grade werewolves. He even wrote a book about dirt. When he’s not writing or reading, he investigates the strange and spooky as part of the Twin Cities Paranormal Society. Thomas lives in Woodbury, Minnesota with his two sons.

Editorial Reviews

Each book in this series covers what life would be like in each of the featured historical settings. For example, in Your Life as a Pioneer on the Oregon Trail, the reader follows the story of Abigail Cross who is headed West with her husband and three children. Abigail learns about the hardships and pleasures of the Oregon Trial, while a “director” shows up to give the reader factual background. Characters of different ages and genders play the starring roles so books will appeal to all readers. There is also a nice balance between storytelling and fact. The accompanying pictures are whimsical and add some visual detail. Recommended.

Library Media Connection

Gr 3–6—A variety of artistic styles and stories of fictional people give readers a sense of life during historical situations. At the beginning of each volume, a character invites readers to take on the role of a pioneer, cabin attendant, etc. Information is conveyed via narration, other historical characters, text boxes, interjections by modern characters, and diagrams. Some of the art was created with acrylics while the rest was drawn digitally, but all of the illustrations are colorful and eye-catching. The text doesn't romanticize the past. Each volume conveys the hard work, lack of hygiene, and limited or poor food supply. Slaves are depicted in Settler. In both Cabin Boy and Explorer, attacks take place, but the victims quickly surrender and no bloodshed is shown. This series provides a quick and fun way for readers to learn about life in the past.

School Library Journal