The Mystery of the Roanoke Colony (Graphic History)
Three episodes from American history get graphic makeovers. In Samuel Adams, a young patriot begins to question British rule. The biography follows him from his early days resisting taxation without representation to his final days as governor of Massachusetts. Lewis and Clark highlights the monumental trek, including the contributions of Sacagawea. The events before and after the mysterious disappearance of an entire colony are the focus of Roanoke Colony. While the artwork and dialogue are not outstanding, the three volumes do offer interesting glimpses into the past. The pacing and full-color illustrations bring the emotional aspect of these topics to life. Each book includes a follow-up section on the topic. Useful supplements or introductions. --School Library Journal; Vol. 53, No. 5; Page 165, June 2007One of the Graphic Library series, this title explores the story of those colonists who were left behind in Virginia and mysteriously perished while their governor returned to England to obtain assistance. Governor White, the father of Virginia Dare, the first English baby born in America, is reluctant to leave his daughter and granddaughter but the colonists persuade him to do so. The lack of reliable transport and communication in the sixteenth century is made painfully clear as the governor s ship is blown off course before he even reaches England. His return ship is appropriated by enemy forces at war with England, and by the time he finally returns to Roanoke Colony, three years have passed, with no contact during those years. All that remains is a word carved onto a tree, Croatoan, indicating a nearby island. However, because the governor s ship has been so damaged by storms and the captain insists on seeking repairs in the West Indies, the governor would never have a chance to go to Croatoan. To this day, no one knows what became of the colonists. In a very compact format, this graphic novel does a commendable job of presenting historical facts along with feeling and emotion, as well as a realistic depiction of the colonists aggression against the native peoples. A superb resource for reluctant readers, this book also includes a short prose explanation at the end, along with a glossary and an internet site reference. A must for any school classroom or library. --Childrens Literature Comprehensive Database, July 2007############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################### --Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Review, www.lookingglassreview.com, February 2007