Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This special series focuses on the unique contributions Hispanics have made in the United States from the earliest Spanish explorers to the many successful Latinos in contemporary America. Each book provides historical and factual easy-reading stories. The books are jam-packed with information and contain between 7500 and 9000 words.Established St. Augustine, Florida, the longest permanently settled city in the nation. Claimed La Florida for Spain and defended the territory against French explorers in the region in the late 1500s.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-Roberts chronicles Menendez's career on the high seas and the establishment of the city of St. Augustine in Florida, which included seizing for Spain a great deal of territory that had previously been held by the French. His deeds were regarded by some as piracy, but others felt he was a fearless crusader. Whiting tells the story of Coronado's four expeditions of discovery through the western part of what is now the United States on a quest for the fabled seven cities of gold and in an attempt to dominate and convert the Native Americans living in the area. His methods eventually led to his trial in Mexico City for cruelty to the natives. Although found innocent, his reputation was damaged and his illustrious career ended. Both easy-to-read narratives include a publisher's note: "Some parts of the text might have been created by the author based on his/her research to illustrate what might have happened years ago, and is solely an aid to readability for young adults." The writing is part legend, part biography, and part history. The open format and black-and-white and full-color photos and reproductions will appeal to reluctant readers, and the books could provide additional information for reports.-Elizabeth Stumpf, Clearfield Middle School, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Gr. 5^-7. These entries in the new Latinos in American History series provide interesting introductions into the lives of two early Spanish explorers. Pedro Menendez de Aviles helped colonize Florida for Spain and beat back the French in 1565 to secure his country's claim. Roberts begins with and focuses on a massacre of French soldiers, giving the event plenty of information about his subjects' role, the context of the event, and a strong sense of what life was like at the time. Coronado is a more enticing book, chronicling the conquistador's search for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold, which he never found, and other explorations as well as accusations leveled against him for crimes against native peoples. There is some slight fictionalization, but both books are well written and bring children right into the middle of history. The design is simple, and the illustrations are, for the most part, very good, with archival material better than the color photographs. Some children may be confused by the word Latinos in the series title, because both subjects are Spanish, but the series covers a wide range of historical and contemporary figures and refers to the Hispanic influence in the U.S., beginning with explorers. Each book has a time line, a chronology, a bibliography, and listing of Web sites. --Ilene Cooper

Horn Book Review

Illustrated with photos and reproductions, these volumes present rushed biographical overviews of two sixteenth-century explorers: Avilés, who established the settlement of St. Augustine in Florida, and Coronado, who led an expedition seeking the "Seven Cities of Gold" in the Southwest. Both books in this series address but downplay the violent actions of these explorers in the New World. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Latinos in American History titles: [cf2]Pedro Menéndez de Avilés[cf1] and [cf2]Francisco Vásquez de Coronado[cf1].] (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.