John Smith Escapes Again! by Rosalyn Schanzer

John Smith Escapes Again! Reviews

• 
  Phil J

  This book makes the BOLD assumption that John Smith's version of history is mostly accurate. The illustrations are fun and exciting and the formatting is amazing. The text is lively and joyous. If you are looking for a book to start your John Smith fan club, then this is the one. If you are looking for balanced history, then move along.
• 
  Sunny Kim

  I learned that he is brave
• 
  Bon Kim

  This book was fun because it told of how John Smith escaped. I learned about how lucky John Smith was during his life and also what he did.
• 
  Ebookwormy1

  This book is everything a book for young boys should be! Full of exciting adventures! Enticing illustrations! World maps and regional maps where you can follow John's progress! Alternating story forms!
  
  Regional maps are presented with numbers and numbered caption boxes to show Smith's movements. Longer stories are then presented that fill out certain adventures. An additional plus is that the book includes both Smith's travels through Europe (exposing readers to the politics, wars, slavery and modes of transportation) as well as Smith's New World adventures.
  
  In the epilogue, the author notes that stories are told from John Smith's perspective and indicates that others involved may have told the story differently. She also gives information on validation of John Smith's account by other contributors to the historical record.
  
  After reading this book at a friend's house, I purchased one for our home school and it is a hit with little boy explorers! I am reading it aloud now, but in a few years, I can see little boys choosing to read it multiple times themselves. High recommended.
• 
  Sally

  History of John Smith, including his adventures before Jametown.
  He was lowborn.
  
  The author addresses that the book is written from John Smith's point of view. "All stories --even nonfiction ones -- are told from someone's point of view."
  
  Some people believe the stories he wrote were exaggerated or 'embroidered' (a common practice at the time). His accounts do match the writings of others.
  It is believed that Jamestown would not have survived without John Smith. "He was a great leader: touch, honest, brave, practical, and fair. He respected the Indians and never tried to destroy them the way so many Europeans did. He worked hard and would go to any length to be sure that everyone had enough to eat."
  
  I love the spreads with the map and dated panels, hope to use this format as a wiring presentation.
  
• 
  Emily

  This book is packed full of facts about Jamestown, John Smith, Native Americans, and European history in the 1600s. Ms. Schanzer compresses an astounding amount of information into this book with a flair for story-telling that focuses on the action and bright illustrations that provide incredible historical detail. This book has maps, illustrated timelines, and little-known stories, as well as a bibliography for further reading and a thorough index. A great way to introduce young readers to a pivotal figure in early American history.
  
  For more book reviews, come visit my blog,
  Build Enough Bookshelves.
• 
  Faith Elizabeth Hough

  You know a book about history is a success when you try to read your five- and three-year-old daughters "Angelina Ballerina" and they say, "Ohhh! Can't we read John Smith instead??"
  The text and illustrations are excellently researched while being exciting and accessible for young readers. And even I was surprised by how adventure-packed John Smith's life was. I've been telling several adult friends things like, "Hey, did you know that John Smith got captured by pirates/sold as a slave to the Turks/thrown off a ship by pious, panicked Catholics who thought God was cursing them for harboring an English protestant/etc/etc/etc?" Yeah. Seriously. Cool story.
• 
  Briony

  This book is jam packed full of information. While the book would be helpful for someone who is researching John Smith, I found the book overwhelming at times. I enjoyed the illustrations and well-researched methodology, but the switching from the tiny print in the graphic format to normal text, annoyed me at times. I also became impatient after John Smith's fourth escape. I can understand the appeal of the book, but it did not float my boat.
• 
  Anne

  John Smith was an interesting character: supposedly as popular George Washington before the Civil War. He was a quick thinking, charismatic adventurer with a flair for exageration. I love how the author describes him; she does describe him well. Excellent read for 3rd grade and up.
• 
  Ami

  I love Rosalyn Schanzer's work. She uses engaging illustrations and is one of the few authors I know that gives accurate, historical information beautifully in a picture book form. Her work stands out among her peers.
• 
  Alicia

  Very exciting adventures from the life of a true American hero!
• 
  Ann Amadori

  Great book! I enjoyed learning more about John Smith than I had ever learned in school. Children 4 and up would find this book interesting, I think.
• 
  Amanda

  This book really kept my boys attention. They liked looking at the pictures.
• 
  Amy

  my kids loved this. Bridget and Nora asked to read it several times a day. Joe and I learned some new things and went off on Wikipedia adventures after reading this. ;)
• 
  Amy

  Nora somehow became obsessed with this one. Had to hide it to get a break from reading before returning it!