We have been reading “Sailing Alone Around the World” by Joshua Slocum for geography this year. After a couple of chapters, my kids (ages 12, 11, 10) are so not into it….they think it’s the most boring thing I’ve ever read to them! I don’t find it boring, but it’s not completely enthralling, either.
Can anyone recommend anything else to read that goes with History Module 5 for geography? This book was listed on the SCM curriculum guide, and it says we’re supposed to focus mainly on South America and Australia. Our map drills of South America have been going well (and we’ve learned a lot about Chile thanks to our following those 33 miners they rescued yesterday!) “Sailing Alone…” is just making them dread geography, however.
Well, I don’t know the book you are trying to replace, but I can recommend the book “Stowaway” by Karen Hesse – it is amazing. Here is a review from Amazon
“Sparkling with humor, poignancy and adventure, Newbery Medal-winner Hesse’s (Out of the Dust) historical novel, told in diary form, was inspired by a real boy who stowed away aboard Captain James Cook’s ship Endeavour on its 1768 voyage. The author bases the story on what little is known about 11-year-old Nicholas Young (he could read and write, for instance, and was made an official crew member in April 1769 when the ship reached Tahiti) and spins an imaginative tale firmly anchored in fact. The brief diary entries adhere to the ship’s actual itinerary and detail Nick’s adventures (and misadventures), among them his ongoing run-ins with a vindictive midshipman (also documented), the excitement and danger of rounding Cape Horn and the captain’s disappointment in the view of Venus’s transit across the sun (one of the main reasons for the voyage). Nick grows into young manhood irrevocably shaped by the three-year voyage, teaching an illiterate shipmate to read, befriending a Tahitian boy and witnessing cannibalism as well as a share of tragedy while helping to nurse a crew ravaged by accident and disease. His lively observations (on seasickness: “I can say now that Gentlemen heave the contents of their stomach same as eleven-year-old stowaways”) keep the action sailing smoothly forward, while Hesse’s impeccable research buttresses the narrative with a wealth of detail. A sprinkling of Parker’s pen-and-ink illustrations adds an additional layer of texture, while an author’s note and extensive glossary round out this compelling volume. Ages 10-14. (Nov.)”
I learned a lot about geography from reading this book! It follows Captain Cook’s voyage, so see any map of that to tell if it takes you where you need to go. I had this in an audio version, so I missed out on the illustrations mentioned in the review above – have to find a paper book to check out.
If anyone else has read this they might be able to tell about any parts that may need editing – it has been 4 years at least since I read it and I don’t remember anything glaring but I like sailing/ocean travel(Patrick O’Brian LOL) stories and the details tend to blend together after a while.
I checked out the book “Stowaway,” and it looks much better for us. (At least I hope so!) And, our local library has it–yay!! I think I’ll take a closer look at it.
Thanks, Gem, for the recommendation and the book review information.
One we started for Geography was ”360 Degrees of Longitude’
5 continents, 28 countries, 52 weeks. It’s the true and modern day story of a family of 4 who go biking around the world. you can also connect with links on Google Earth.
I am actually a little relieved to hear we are not the only ones struggling with this book. I was hoping it would pick up in time, but I guess not? I have pretty young children still (2 boys, 2 girls, oldest is almost 7) so I am thinking it might be something better suited for our next round with Module 5? I am going to check on the others mentioned at our library…
Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
The topic ‘Alternative to "Sailing Alone Around the World"’ is closed to new replies.