The Boy Who Fell Off The Mayflower, Or John Howland's Good Fortune Read Free Books and Download eBooks
In the first book he has both written and illustrated, master artist P.J. Lynch brings a Mayflower voyager’s story to vivid life. Catalogue Text158At a young age, John Howland learned what it meant to take advantage of an opportunity. Leaving the docks of London on the Mayflower as an indentured servant to Pilgrim John Carver, John Howland little knew that he was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. By his great good fortune, John survived falling overboard on the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, and he earned his keep ashore by helping to scout a safe harbor and landing site for his bedraggled and ill shipmates. Would his luck continue to hold amid the dangers and adversity of the Pilgrims’ lives in New England? John Howland’s tale is masterfully told in his own voice, bringing an immediacy and young perspective to the oft-told Pilgrims’ story. P.J. Lynch captures this pivotal moment in American history in precise and exquisite detail, from the light on the froth of a breaking wave to the questioning voice of a teen in a new world.
Lexile Measure: 0940 (What's this?)
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (September 22, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763665843
ISBN-13: 978-0763665845
Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 0.5 x 10.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #44,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #33 in Books > Children's Books > Cars, Trains & Things That Go > Boats & Ships #41 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > History > United States > Colonial & Revolutionary #126 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Historical
Age Range: 7 - 10 years
Grade Level: 2 - 5
I purchased this book last spring while waiting for it's release in September. The story is about my 10th great-grandfather, John Howland, a passenger on the Mayflower. It's a great read for 4th and 5th graders. The pictures are where I was introduced to the paintings of P.J. Lynch...they are spectacular! The fact that this book is about my ancestor makes it that much more exciting. This should be in every middle school so kids can read something exciting that they can relate to concerning the Mayflower.
Well written and appropriate for 4th grade through even middle school age readers. Told from the perspective of the adolescent John Howland, an indentured servant who made the Mayflower journey. The lengthy text and the detailed illustrations reveal how complex and difficult this journey was - the planning, the leaving, the getting started, the crossing, the arriving, figuring out where to settle, and then the first year.When I finished, I was eager to read the author's notes. How was his research done? What parts do we know to be true for sure and where did he embellish? A map would have been helpful, too. Alas, there was very little except a short note to say that John Howland did exist, he did fall off the Mayflower and he did marry a young girl who also arrived on the Mayflower. My questions beg for more research into the accuracy and authority of this text.That said--I'd still recommend it as an insightful read for students. There's plenty of content for substantive, thought provoking conversations. The text could be used as a mentor for writing from the perspective of someone in a certain time period and as a launch for more research and more.
Summary: John Howland describes his voyage from England to the New World, working as a servant to John Carver. He does, indeed, fall off the Mayflower, right in the middle of the storm, and is extremely lucky to be seen and pulled back on board. For much of the trip, he dreams of his family back in England, and returning to start his own business. During the first tough year in Plymouth, Carver dies, and John is a free man. When a ship arrives with another group of residents for the new colony, John thinks he go aboard and sail back to England. But his friend Lizzy Tilley convinces him to stay with his new friends and help build the colony. An authorâs note explains that John and Lizzy got married and had ten children, certainly doing their share to populate the New World. 64 pages; grades 2-6.Pros: P.J. Lynch is known more for his illustrations than writing, and the pictures here certainly capture the wild sea and sick misery of life on the Mayflower. The writing is engaging, as well, with Johnâs voice a perfect blend of 17th century words and 21st century wit. The whole group of Mayflower passengers really come to life as this story unfolds.
In addition to the beautiful illustrations by P.J. Lynch, the text is very well researched. Reliable information regarding the background of the Pilgrims, their journey, and their settlement can be found on the internet. http://mayflowerhistory.com, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pfmayflower.htm both have very specific information. Primary sources, such as Mourt's Relation:A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, along with Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation 1606 - 1646, are great resources. Another more recent book, Of Plymouth Plantation, written by Caleb H. Johnson (from William Bradford's history), combines Mourt's Relation & Bradford's history, along with additional maps & notes. Of course, the Silver Books, focusing on individual Pilgrims are very valuable. Nathaniel Philbrick is also a very reliable historian. Three of these books/authors are listed in the book's bibliography. I am descended from Francis Eaton, a carpenter by trade. He may have been the carpenter mentioned in the book who helped to secure the broken beam on the Mayflower. It's exciting that this book was released in time for the holiday season - it will be a Christmas gift for each of our three grown children.
This book is now a family treasure. As one of John Howland's many descendants, I bought myself a copy as well as one for each of my children and grandchildren. The artwork is absolutely beautiful - it's stunning - and the story is very well written. It's a great children's book, but we adults love it too.
The illustrations are amazing -- vivid, gorgeous and even haunting. We enjoyed the story as well, really took us there in a first-person account kind of way in well-written diary dialogue. The entire family -- ages 8 to 78 -- listened raptly.
I am an illustration fanatic. These illustrations are top notch.Even high schoolers enjoy this book about John Howland and the Mayflower Pilgrims. This is a beautiful, large book, plenty of information, and a good story.There is a purpose to every life.
The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. The story itself is a little long-winded for a younger child, but I think that it is alright, because there is still a lot that can be discussed from the detailed pictures.
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