Delaware, 1638-1776

School Library Journal

Gr 5–8
These attractive, informative titles will be useful for reports. They trace the various groups who have laid claim to or built settlements in these subject areas. In California , they include Spanish explorers extending from "New Spain" (Mexico); English sea captain Sir Francis Drake; Russian traders sailing down from Alaska; and American seamen, merchants, and overland settlers. Delaware describes how Dutch, English, Swedish, and Finnish settlers all laid claim to the land. Both titles describe the Native people who were living in the regions prior to the Europeans' arrival. When the Spanish came to California, their goal of converting the tribes to Christianity was paramount, and they essentially enslaved many Native Americans through the Mission system. In contrast, Dutch and Swedish explorers in Delaware made treaties with the Lenni-Lenape Indians, whereby the Europeans thought that they were gaining title to the land. All the Delaware tribes were eventually forced out. In both books, the appealing design incorporates a 1685 map on the endpapers. It shows what was known, leaving a big chunk of North America blank. Other historical maps provide context by illustrating changing and/or disputed borders. Full-color reproductions of paintings and drawings add visual interest, and time lines provide additional help for researchers.
—Lucinda Snyder WhitehurstCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.