School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 10-Peterson relates the little-known history of the early American fur trade. He describes how European demand for fur hats and accessories sent French and British traders, traveling in Native American birchbark canoes, to explore and navigate the waterways of the Great Lakes region and the interior of the North American continent. Both countries formed alliances with competing Indian tribes and confederations, which resulted in poisoned relations between settlers and tribes, contributed to the European conflicts over land claims, and influenced the colonial battles in the wars between France and England. The author also discusses the interactions between the fur traders and the Native Americans and the hardworking and hard-playing lives of the voyageurs and fur traders. Numerous sidebars about people, places, and technical aspects of the trade, as well as black-and-white reproductions of period illustrations or photos of locations, appear on each page. Unfortunately, they are small and dark, and therefore add little to the text. However, that weakness is somewhat mitigated by the extensive bibliography. Although this book is occasionally dry, it does offer readers and researchers insights into a part of early American history that is all too often overlooked.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The history of colonial-era North America is usually presented to children in terms of settlementthink Jamestown and Plymouthbut this treatment too often ignores the fascinating development and expansion of the fur trade that drove much of the European interest in the continent. Three centuries' worth of explorers followed Columbus in search of a Northwest Passage to the riches of the Orient; they (finally) found the Pacific and also, more importantly, a treasure trove of beaver pelts along the way. Peterson first provides a history of the military, political and economic development of the trade and then gives readers a snapshot of the lives of the Indians and voyageurs who did the actual work. She relies on a wealth of primary-source material, from archival illustrations to quotes from players both large and small. Sidebars (some oddly placed"Beavers" appears halfway through) provide additional information on specific topics. The author's enthusiasm for her subject will communicate itself to readers, even those who never dreamed they'd be interested, making this the best kind of discovery. (time line, notes, bibliography, suggested reading, places to visit, index) (Nonfiction. 10-16) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
European fur trading in North America began early in the sixteenth century and ended when a nineteenth-century change in fashion made beaver hats passé. At its height, the fur trade was big business as well as a means of exploring North America and, eventually, opening the path to European settlement. The first half of Peterson's well-researched account tightly packs a great deal of exploration (Columbus, Cabot, Cartier, Champlain, Joliet, Marquette, LaSalle, Duluth, Frontenac, Washington, Pontiac, Mackenzie) into six chapters. The second half employs firsthand accounts to discuss the voyageurs, settlers, and Native Americans in a considerably more involving manner. Throughout, black-and-white photos of sites and reproductions of period artwork, maps, and documents illustrate the text and sidebars. The extensive back matter includes a detailed time line, notes for the many quotes, a source bibliography, a suggested reading list, and descriptions of a dozen places to visit. This will fill a gap in many history collections.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
