Lives of the Explorers by Kathleen Krull

Lives of the Explorers by Kathleen Krull tells the tale of a variety of explorers throughout history. The format of this book makes it manageable and interesting to learn about dozens of famous explorers in just a few pages. The author wants the reader to know the real story. Krull’s purpose is to start conversations about these explorers journeys, motivations, set backs, triumphs, and legacies. I appreciate her honest and descriptive voice.

This book is very inspiring. Many of these explorers were ridiculed, threatened, or exiled for their dreams of adventure. These brave men and women broke free from the stereotypes and cultural norms of their time to pursue something bigger than themselves. This kind of courage is important to share with students. With an diverse collection of explorers form across the world it would be easy to create reading circles for students to report or share what they learned from a particularly explorer. Students could also examine the cultural context of these heroes and determine how they might feel if they were in the same situation.

Lives of the Explorers contains authentic quotes and fascinating facts about each journey. There is also a section in each chapter labeled, Onward. This sections details results and impact of their exploration. This book is a great launch into deeper topics such as male and female roles, perseverance, loyalty, relationships, geography, and culture.