Around the World in a Hundred Years

Around the World in a Hundred Years chronicles European exploration during the period from 1421 to 1522. The book follows the journeys of ten explorers, including Prince Henry the Navigator, Bartholomew Diaz, Christopher Columbus, and Ferdinand Magellan. Each explorer's story is presented within its historical context, revealing the political, economic, and technological factors that drove the Age of Discovery. Fritz incorporates maps, illustrations, and details about navigation methods and shipboard life that shaped these expeditions. The narrative examines both the achievements and the human cost of these voyages, including their impact on indigenous peoples and established trade routes. The accounts include perspectives from crew members and encounters with different cultures across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The book demonstrates how this century of exploration permanently altered global connections and human understanding of geography. Through these interconnected stories, Fritz raises questions about the nature of discovery and the complex legacy of this transformative period in world history.

Readers report this book makes early exploration history engaging for middle-grade students through its storytelling approach and vivid details about explorers' personalities and adventures. Liked: - Clear chronological organization spanning 1420s-1520s - Includes lesser-known explorers beyond Columbus - Maps and illustrations help visualize journeys - Humor and interesting personal details about explorers - Historical accuracy while remaining accessible Disliked: - Some readers found the tone occasionally disrespectful toward explorers - A few noted it glosses over violence and exploitation - Several mentioned wanting more depth on individual voyages Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (397 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (59 ratings) Common review quote: "Makes history come alive without sacrificing facts" Teachers frequently mention using it as a read-aloud to supplement social studies curriculum. Parents note children age 9-12 can read independently, while younger listeners stay engaged when read to.

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🌎 Jean Fritz originally planned to write just one book about explorers but became so fascinated with the subject that she ended up writing seven separate books about different voyages of discovery. 🗺️ The book covers the major explorations that took place between 1421 and 1522, spanning exactly 101 years—making the title a slight approximation. ⛵ Fritz traveled to many of the places mentioned in the book, including China and Portugal, to research the explorers' journeys firsthand and better understand their experiences. 👑 The book won the Christopher Award, which recognizes creative works that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit." 🧭 The author deliberately chose to include the explorers' mistakes and flaws, like Magellan's stubbornness and Columbus's poor math skills, to make them more relatable to young readers.