Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado

Have I ever mentioned how much great non-fiction is out there for children and teens? Here's an example of a really engaging piece of work that I read recently:

Written by award-winning author Marc Aronson, Sir Walter Ralegh and the Quest for El Dorado documents the life of - you guessed it - Sir Walter Ralegh. Those of you who paid attention during your English classes might remember that Sir Walter Ralegh was a great poet. Those who prefered History might recall that he sponsored England's first attempt at a colony in America, which ultimately ended in disaster. In this book, Aronson goes beyond thes traditional looks at Ralegh's life and discusses how this incredible man fits into England's history. Begining with Ralegh's lowly birth and concluding with his execution, this book describes how Ralegh constantly strove to find favor with his beloved Queen Elizabeth and would take on various roles of a soldier, poet, sponsor, and explorer to please her.

When I look back at what I knew about Sir Walter Ralegh and the time period in which he lived before reading this book and what I understand afterward, I cannot believe how much of a difference a change in perspective can make. It was fascinating to really see events such as Elizabeth I's reign and English colonization actually taking place at the same time - the connection between the two events is sometimes lost as the first is discussed in European history, which the latter is a major part of American history curricula. To help the reader make these connections, an excellent timeline can be found at the end of the book which lays out events from Ralegh's life alongside major events in English history, literature and the sciences, and The New World. Plenty of maps and paintings also enhance the text.

Definitely recommended for middle and high-school readers.

Overall Grade: A