Encounter by Jane Yolen

Encounter

by Jane Yolen

When Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in 1492, what he discovered were the Taino Indians. Told from a young Taino boy's point of view, this is a story of how the boy tried to warn his people against welcoming the strangers, who seemed more interested in golden ornaments than friendship. Years later the boy, now an old man, looks back at the destruction of his people and their culture by the colonizers.

Reviewed by cherryblossommj on

4 of 5 stars

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October was a whirlwind, so we didn't quite get around to read our Columbus books. This year, we were able to add this fascinating version from a native indigenous person, not quite a man, and his perspective of Columbus' arrival. This is such an important point of view to read when learning that history has different effects on the concurred and those that concur. Was it all rainbows and free monies or was there something more? I do think that it is important to read and know about Columbus and other explorers and how the world changed but I also think it is important to look at multiple sides. Erasing history doesn't fix the bad, it just makes it easier to happen again.

We own a copy of this book, which is beautifully illustrated. This is a Sonlight Curriculum K 2020 Heroes and Happenings Vol. 1 recommendation.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 7 December, 2020: Finished reading
  • 7 December, 2020: Reviewed