Christopher LEVELED BOOK • Z

Columbus Christopher
Columbus
A Reading A–Z Level Z Leveled Book
Word Count: 2,752

Written by David Dreier • Illustrated by Mike Lariccia

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Christopher
Columbus

Written by David Dreier

Illustrated by Mike Lariccia

www.readinga-z.com
Table of Contents

I. Karen Gets an Assignment................................... 4

II. Learning About Columbus’s Early Life............ 6

III. Unlearning a Couple of Things......................... 8

IV. A New Route to the Indies............................... 10

V. The First Voyage to America............................. 13

VI. The Second and Third Voyages...................... 17

VII. The Fourth and Final Voyage......................... 19

VIII. A Successful Report....................................... 21

Gossary..................................................................... 23

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 3

Table of Contents

I. Karen Gets an Assignment................................... 4

II. Learning About Columbus’s Early Life............ 6

III. Unlearning a Couple of Things......................... 8

IV. A New Route to the Indies............................... 10

V. The First Voyage to America............................. 13

I. Karen Gets an Assignment
VI. The Second and Third Voyages...................... 17 Karen Palmer looked like a human thundercloud
as she sat down at the dinner table with a gesture
VII. The Fourth and Final Voyage......................... 19 that said, “I am majorly not happy.”

VIII. A Successful Report....................................... 21 Her mother could see that all was not right in
Karen’s world. “What’s the problem?” she asked.
Gossary..................................................................... 23 “Something at school, I assume.”

“Yeah,” Karen sighed. “Mrs. Kendrick wants

us to write a class report next week on some
famous person in history. We drew names from a
box, and some of the kids got really neat people to
report on, like Queen Elizabeth—the first one—and
Leonardo da Vinci. I got Christopher Columbus.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 3 4

Karen’s mother looked at her with a confused
expression. “So?”

“So? He’s boring. Everybody knows how

Columbus discovered America and proved that
the world is round.”

“You might find that there’s a lot you don’t

know,” her dad replied. “You might also learn
that some of the things you think you do know
aren’t so.”

Karen wasn’t convinced. “Like what?”

“Well, this is your report. You should find

out for yourself. After supper, why don’t you get
started on your research?”

“But where do I start?” Karen asked.

Her mom replied, “The best place to begin

with anything is at the beginning. Start with
Columbus’s youth, and then go from there.”

Her younger brother, Billy, chimed in: “That’s

what I was gonna say!”

Karen rolled her eyes. “Oh, sure you were.

As if a fourth grader knows anything about doing
research.”

“Now, you two,” said Mrs. Palmer, “let’s have

a pleasant dinner.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 5

Karen’s mother looked at her with a confused II. Learning About Columbus’s Early Life
expression. “So?” “Start at the beginning,” Karen said to herself
“So? He’s boring. Everybody knows how later as she sat at her computer. “I guess that’s
Columbus discovered America and proved that good advice. I’ll just type in ‘Christopher
the world is round.” Columbus biography’ and see what comes up.”

“You might find that there’s a lot you don’t Immediately, a long list of websites appeared
know,” her dad replied. “You might also learn in her browser. She clicked on one, and a lengthy
that some of the things you think you do know article came up. “Wow, terrific!” Karen exclaimed.
aren’t so.” “I’ll print this and then see what else is available.”

Karen wasn’t convinced. “Like what?” An hour later, Karen was propped up in bed
reading and underlining important information.
“Well, this is your report. You should find She read aloud to herself as she looked over one of
out for yourself. After supper, why don’t you get the articles: “Born in 1451 in Genoa, Italy, as the
started on your research?” oldest of five children, Christopher Columbus’s
“But where do I start?” Karen asked. name in Italian was Cristoforo Columbo, and
in Spanish it was Cristóbal Colón. Christopher
Her mom replied, “The best place to begin Columbus is the English translation of his name.”
with anything is at the beginning. Start with
Columbus’s youth, and then go from there.”

Her younger brother, Billy, chimed in: “That’s

what I was gonna say!”

Karen rolled her eyes. “Oh, sure you were.

As if a fourth grader knows anything about doing
research.”

“Now, you two,” said Mrs. Palmer, “let’s have

a pleasant dinner.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 5 6

Karen scanned the article. “Let’s see, his father
was a wool weaver, and young Chris worked in
the family business for a while, though he really
wanted to go to sea. He began his oceangoing
career at the age of fourteen. Wowie, fourteen and
he was already going off to sea.”
She continued reading. “In 1474, when he was
twenty-three, Columbus was hired as a sailor on
a ship that sailed to an island in the Aegean Sea,
which is the part of the Mediterranean Sea east
of Greece.”
Karen ran her finger down the page. “In 1476,
Columbus made his first venture into the Atlantic
Ocean in a five-ship trading expedition from Italy
to England. French vessels attacked the ships
when they were just a few miles out to sea.
Columbus’s ship was destroyed, and he had
to swim back to land.”
“Columbus married in 1479 and had a son,
Diego. About a year after that, his wife died. In
1482, he sailed along the western coast of Africa,
where he learned all about the winds and currents
in the Atlantic Ocean. He started thinking about
where a fast westward-moving current, called the
Canary Current, might carry a sailing ship.”
Karen looked up from the page. “Well, now
I think we’re getting someplace.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 7

Karen scanned the article. “Let’s see, his father III. Unlearning a Couple of Things
was a wool weaver, and young Chris worked in After three days of research and notetaking,
the family business for a while, though he really Karen felt she was ready for her class report. As
wanted to go to sea. He began his oceangoing she sat at the desk in her room late one afternoon
career at the age of fourteen. Wowie, fourteen and going over her note cards, Billy ventured in.
he was already going off to sea.”
“So how’s it going, Miss Research Expert?”
She continued reading. “In 1474, when he was he asked.
twenty-three, Columbus was hired as a sailor on
a ship that sailed to an island in the Aegean Sea, Karen ignored
which is the part of the Mediterranean Sea east her brother’s
of Greece.” sarcastic tone.
“Just fine, thanks.
Karen ran her finger down the page. “In 1476,
I’ve learned a lot
Columbus made his first venture into the Atlantic
of stuff. Sit down
Ocean in a five-ship trading expedition from Italy
and I’ll tell you all
to England. French vessels attacked the ships
about Columbus.”
when they were just a few miles out to sea.
Columbus’s ship was destroyed, and he had Billy gave
What Did Columbus
to swim back to land.” his mouth a twist
Look Like?
There are more than that said, “Not
“Columbus married in 1479 and had a son,
seventy known portraits interested,” but he
Diego. About a year after that, his wife died. In
1482, he sailed along the western coast of Africa, of Columbus, but all were sat down on the
where he learned all about the winds and currents painted after the explorer’s side of Karen’s bed.
in the Atlantic Ocean. He started thinking about death. None of them “Okay, let’s hear it.
where a fast westward-moving current, called the match the written But don’t take
Canary Current, might carry a sailing ship.” descriptions, which say he forever.”
had white hair, light skin,
Karen looked up from the page. “Well, now
and freckles.
I think we’re getting someplace.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 7 8

“Columbus wasn’t the first European to arrive
in America,” Karen began. “Although the rest
of Europe didn’t know about it, some others—the
Vikings—beat him to it by hundreds of years.”

Billy’s eyes brightened. “The Vikings? No way!”

Karen smiled. She knew that bit of history

would hook her brother. “They settled on the
eastern coast of Canada for a while in about
ad 1000,” she turned to a globe on her desk
and pointed to an area, “right here, in what’s
now called Newfoundland. They called it Vinland.
In the Viking sagas—those are long stories they
told about their history—they talk about fighting
with Skraelings, which is their name for Native
Americans.”

“Tell me more about that!” Billy exclaimed.

“Sorry,” Karen replied with a sly smile, “this

report is about Columbus. So, moving on. . .
Columbus didn’t prove the world is round. Every
educated person since the ancient Greeks has
known that Earth is a sphere. What they didn’t
know back then was how big it is.”

“Columbus thought it was bigger than it really

is?” Billy asked.

“No, he thought it was smaller—a lot smaller.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 9

“Columbus wasn’t the first European to arrive IV. A New Route to the Indies
in America,” Karen began. “Although the rest “Okay,” Karen said, “now we’re getting to the
of Europe didn’t know about it, some others—the interesting part.”
Vikings—beat him to it by hundreds of years.”
“I thought the Vikings were interesting,” Billy
Billy’s eyes brightened. “The Vikings? No way!” replied.
Karen smiled. She knew that bit of history “Later with the Vikings, huh? Listen up—I want
would hook her brother. “They settled on the to tell you about trade with the East. You know all
eastern coast of Canada for a while in about those spices Mom has in the kitchen cabinet?”
ad 1000,” she turned to a globe on her desk
and pointed to an area, “right here, in what’s Billy nodded.
now called Newfoundland. They called it Vinland. “Well, we can buy all those spices at the store,
In the Viking sagas—those are long stories they and they don’t cost much. At one time, though,
told about their history—they talk about fighting spices were very rare and expensive. You could only
with Skraelings, which is their name for Native get them by trading with India and other places
Americans.” farther to the east. Europeans called that whole area
“Tell me more about that!” Billy exclaimed. the Indies. For a long time, Europeans had a pretty
direct trade route to that part of the world.”
“Sorry,” Karen replied with a sly smile, “this
report is about Columbus. So, moving on. . . Europe
Columbus didn’t prove the world is round. Every Me
dite
Constantinople China
rran
educated person since the ancient Greeks has ean
Sea

Egypt Persia
known that Earth is a sphere. What they didn’t
know back then was how big it is.” Arabia
India
“Columbus thought it was bigger than it really
is?” Billy asked.
INDIAN
Somalia OCEAN
“No, he thought it was smaller—a lot smaller.”
Trade Routes of the Indies in the 1400s Java

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 9 10

“Look here where it says Istanbul.” Karen
turned the globe to Turkey and pointed.

“For more than a thousand years, that was

a Christian city called Constantinople. It was an
important center for the trade between Europe
and the Indies until 1453, when the Muslim Turks
conquered the city and renamed it Istanbul.”

“Was there a really awesome battle?” Billy

asked excitedly.

“Yeah, there was,” Karen said, a touch of

annoyance in her voice, “but the point is, the loss of
Constantinople took away European traders’ link
to the Far East. This meant they had to find a new
route. In 1488, a Portuguese ship sailed around the
bottom of Africa, but it turned back because the
crew got scared. The Portuguese were determined
to follow that route all the way to the Far East, and
eventually they did. Because that’s a seriously long
distance, though, the Europeans needed to find a
shorter route. That’s where Columbus came in.”

“In 1492, Columbus got the chance he’d been

waiting for,” Karen continued. “Early that year,
Spain defeated some Muslims called the Moors,
who had been ruling parts of Spain for more than
700 years. With the Moors finally gone, Spain was
ready for new adventures.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 11

“Look here where it says Istanbul.” Karen
turned the globe to Turkey and pointed.

“For more than a thousand years, that was

a Christian city called Constantinople. It was an
important center for the trade between Europe
and the Indies until 1453, when the Muslim Turks
conquered the city and renamed it Istanbul.”

“Was there a really awesome battle?” Billy

asked excitedly.

“Yeah, there was,” Karen said, a touch of

annoyance in her voice, “but the point is, the loss of
“This is getting interesting,” Billy said.
Constantinople took away European traders’ link
to the Far East. This meant they had to find a new “I thought you might think so. Anyway,
route. In 1488, a Portuguese ship sailed around the Columbus begged the king and queen of Spain—
bottom of Africa, but it turned back because the Ferdinand and Isabella—to provide him with
crew got scared. The Portuguese were determined ships for a voyage west across the Atlantic. From
to follow that route all the way to the Far East, and his own studies, Columbus estimated that Earth
eventually they did. Because that’s a seriously long was less than 16,000 miles around. The actual
distance, though, the Europeans needed to find a distance is about 25,000 miles. He also thought
shorter route. That’s where Columbus came in.” Asia was wider than it is. Based on those two big
mistakes, Columbus figured that Japan was about
“In 1492, Columbus got the chance he’d been
2,500 miles from Europe.”
waiting for,” Karen continued. “Early that year,
Spain defeated some Muslims called the Moors, “And how far is it, really?”
who had been ruling parts of Spain for more than
“About 12,000 miles. If there’d been nothing
700 years. With the Moors finally gone, Spain was
between Europe and Asia except open water, he
ready for new adventures.”
never would have made it.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 11 12

V. The First Voyage to America
“Nobody knew who was right about the
distances,” Karen said, “so King Ferdinand and
Queen Isabella decided to give Columbus a shot.
They supplied him with three ships.”

“I know what they were,” Billy piped up,

“the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.”

“Very good. You get a gold star. Well, anyway,

Columbus set sail on the Santa Maria from a
Spanish port on August 3, 1492. He had about
ninety crew members altogether on the three
ships, including experienced sailors and a few
government officials.”

Karen pointed again to the globe, indicating

a group of islands off the upper west coast of
Africa, and said, “Columbus stopped here first,
at the Canary Islands. Then on September 6, he
launched his ships into the westward-flowing
Canary Current that—along with the winds—he
hoped would take him to the Indies.”

Billy interrupted
by asking, “How
did Columbus keep
his ships going the
right way?”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 13

V. The First Voyage to America “Good question. Sailors back then had a few
“Nobody knew who was right about the tools for navigation, such as magnetic compasses,
distances,” Karen said, “so King Ferdinand and and they could tell a lot from the stars. Columbus
Queen Isabella decided to give Columbus a shot. was a little different. He relied mostly on a method
They supplied him with three ships.” called dead reckoning, which involves estimating
a ship’s speed and direction from various kinds
“I know what they were,” Billy piped up, of observations. It’s not very precise, but
“the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.” Columbus was really good at it.”
“Very good. You get a gold star. Well, anyway,
Columbus set sail on the Santa Maria from a
Spanish port on August 3, 1492. He had about
ninety crew members altogether on the three
ships, including experienced sailors and a few
government officials.”

Karen pointed again to the globe, indicating

a group of islands off the upper west coast of
Africa, and said, “Columbus stopped here first, “Yeah, he must have been,” Billy said.
at the Canary Islands. Then on September 6, he Karen amped up the drama. “Day after day,
launched his ships into the westward-flowing Columbus’s ships sailed westward across the
Canary Current that—along with the winds—he empty ocean, and by early October, the crew was
hoped would take him to the Indies.” getting scared. They thought they might die out
Billy interrupted there in the middle of the sea, and they wanted
by asking, “How to turn back. Columbus insisted that they keep
did Columbus keep going and finally, on October 12, a sailor aboard
his ships going the the Pinta cried out, ‘Land! Land!’ After thirty-six
right way?” days at sea, they were saved!”

“I knew that!” Billy said proudly.

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 13 14

Karen shook her head before she continued.
“Columbus went ashore at an island in the
Caribbean Sea and claimed it for Spain. Nobody is
sure now which island it was, though many think
he landed on Watling Island in the Bahamas.
Columbus was convinced he had landed in part
of the Indies. There were lots of natives there, so
guess what the Spaniards called them.”

Billy shrugged. “I dunno.”

“Indians, what else? That’s where the word

comes from. Anyway, the natives were really
friendly, and everyone got along great. In time,
the two groups even learned to communicate
with each other.”

“So what happened next?”

“Columbus sailed around and found other

islands, including Cuba. Native guides told
Columbus it was a big island, but he insisted
that it had to be part of China. At another island,
Hispaniola, the Santa Maria got wrecked, and
the men used wood from the ship to build a fort
called La Navidad. Before he returned to Spain,
Columbus left thirty-nine members of his crew
there to establish the first European settlement
in the Americas since—”

“—the Vikings!” Billy interrupted.

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 15

Karen shook her head before she continued. “Bingo—another gold star,” Karen said.
“Columbus went ashore at an island in the “Columbus finally set sail for home in his
Caribbean Sea and claimed it for Spain. Nobody is remaining two ships in January, and by mid-
sure now which island it was, though many think March, he was in
he landed on Watling Island in the Bahamas. Spain again. As part
Columbus was convinced he had landed in part of his hero’s welcome,
of the Indies. There were lots of natives there, so King Ferdinand and
guess what the Spaniards called them.” Queen Isabella gave
him a generous
Billy shrugged. “I dunno.”
reward, made
“Indians, what else? That’s where the word him governor of the
comes from. Anyway, the natives were really new lands, and named
friendly, and everyone got along great. In time, him Admiral of
the two groups even learned to communicate the Ocean Sea.
with each other.” Pretty impressive
title, huh?”
“So what happened next?”
“Yeah, I’ll say. He
“Columbus sailed around and found other
was a really big deal.”
islands, including Cuba. Native guides told
Columbus it was a big island, but he insisted “He sure was. He had no trouble convincing
that it had to be part of China. At another island, the king and queen to finance an even larger
Hispaniola, the Santa Maria got wrecked, and expedition to ‘the Indies.’” Karen made quote
the men used wood from the ship to build a fort marks in the air with her fingers. “He promised
called La Navidad. Before he returned to Spain, to bring back loads of gold, spices, and other stuff.”
Columbus left thirty-nine members of his crew
“Columbus probably thought his fortune was
there to establish the first European settlement
made. He couldn’t have known that after this
in the Americas since—”
triumphant return to Spain, everything would be
“—the Vikings!” Billy interrupted. downhill.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 15 16

VI. The Second and Third Voyages
“In September 1493,” Karen continued,
“Columbus sailed from Spain with a fleet of
seventeen ships. The people on the ships included
1,200 colonists sent to give Spain a firm hold on
the new lands that Columbus had found.”

“Columbus was full of optimism as they sailed

west, but his mood changed pretty quickly when
they arrived at Hispaniola in late November. He
was shocked to find that the natives had killed
the inhabitants of La Navidad settlement and
burned the fort to the ground.”

“Wow! How come?” Billy asked.

“The settlers had been abusing the natives, so

they revolted. You’d think that Columbus would
have learned something from that tragedy, but
he didn’t. He established a new settlement on
Hispaniola and allowed the colonists to make
slaves of the natives. He thought it was the best
way to get things done.”

“King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ordered

Columbus back to Spain in 1496 to answer
questions about his rule of Hispaniola. Settlers
who had gone back home earlier had badmouthed
Columbus, so the king and queen wanted to hear
his side of things.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 17

VI. The Second and Third Voyages “Columbus managed to smooth things over
“In September 1493,” Karen continued, and to even get funding for six more ships for a
“Columbus sailed from Spain with a fleet of third voyage in May 1498.”
seventeen ships. The people on the ships included “So everything was okay?” Billy asked.
1,200 colonists sent to give Spain a firm hold on
the new lands that Columbus had found.” “Not for long. Conditions between the settlers
and the natives continued to get worse, and
“Columbus was full of optimism as they sailed Columbus was held responsible. In late 1500, he
west, but his mood changed pretty quickly when was stripped of his titles and hauled back to Spain
they arrived at Hispaniola in late November. He in chains.”
was shocked to find that the natives had killed
the inhabitants of La Navidad settlement and “Oh, gee!”
burned the fort to the ground.” “This time, Columbus couldn’t talk his way
“Wow! How come?” Billy asked. out of the mess he was in. He spent the next two
years in disgrace, thinking he’d never again see
“The settlers had been abusing the natives, so the lands he thought were the Indies.”
they revolted. You’d think that Columbus would
have learned something from that tragedy, but
he didn’t. He established a new settlement on
Hispaniola and allowed the colonists to make
slaves of the natives. He thought it was the best
way to get things done.”

“King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ordered

Columbus back to Spain in 1496 to answer
questions about his rule of Hispaniola. Settlers
who had gone back home earlier had badmouthed
Columbus, so the king and queen wanted to hear
his side of things.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 17 18

VII. The Fourth and Final Voyage
“Believe it or not,” Karen said, “he got King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to back him for
another voyage.”

“He must have been a fast talker,” Billy said.

Karen smiled. “He must have been, because by

now, everyone except Columbus realized that the
lands to the west included continents that nobody
in Europe had known existed. Even so, the Spanish
monarchs considered the possibility that these
lands were not too far from Asia. Columbus
wanted to search for a water channel to China
that Marco Polo had described in the 1200s, even
though he had no idea that this waterway was,
like, a zillion miles away.”

“In May 1502, Columbus was given four ships

and told to search both for the water channel and
riches. He was ordered to avoid Hispaniola, where
he was no longer welcome.”

“So how did things go on this trip?” Billy asked.

“Not well. Nothing was working out for poor

old Columbus anymore. He found some gold
in what is now Panama, but in June 1503, he got
shipwrecked on the island of Jamaica. He and
his men were stranded there for a year until a
Spanish ship finally rescued them.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 19

VII. The Fourth and Final Voyage
“Believe it or not,” Karen said, “he got King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to back him for
another voyage.”

“He must have been a fast talker,” Billy said.

Karen smiled. “He must have been, because by

now, everyone except Columbus realized that the
lands to the west included continents that nobody
in Europe had known existed. Even so, the Spanish
monarchs considered the possibility that these Saved by an Eclipse
lands were not too far from Asia. Columbus While Columbus and his men were
wanted to search for a water channel to China marooned on Jamaica, they ran out of food.
that Marco Polo had described in the 1200s, even The natives of the island refused to help. By
though he had no idea that this waterway was, looking through his books, Columbus learned
like, a zillion miles away.” that a total eclipse of the Moon was due on
February 29, 1504. He warned the natives that
“In May 1502, Columbus was given four ships
and told to search both for the water channel and if they did not provide him with food, he would
riches. He was ordered to avoid Hispaniola, where cause the Moon to darken. When the eclipse
he was no longer welcome.” turned the Moon a deep red, the people of the
island were so terrified that they brought food
“So how did things go on this trip?” Billy asked. to the stranded men.
“Not well. Nothing was working out for poor
old Columbus anymore. He found some gold “Columbus was worn out from all his
in what is now Panama, but in June 1503, he got voyaging, so he returned to Spain in November
shipwrecked on the island of Jamaica. He and 1504. He died less than two years later, at the age
his men were stranded there for a year until a of 54. To the end of his days, Columbus believed
Spanish ship finally rescued them.” that he had sailed to Asia.”

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 19 20

VIII. A Successful Report
A few days later, Karen gave her report to the
class. At the end, Karen pointed to a large poster
she had made and placed on an easel. “This shows
the routes of Columbus’s four voyages,” she said.
“As you can see, he covered a lot of territory.”

“It seems kind of unfair that the New World

didn’t get named for Columbus. Instead, it was
named for another Italian explorer, Amerigo
Vespucci. At least there are a lot of places in the
United States named for him, like Columbus,
Ohio.”

She looked over at her teacher, Mrs. Kendrick,

who was standing at the side of the room.

“Excellent report, Karen,” Mrs. Kendrick said.

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 21

VIII. A Successful Report Mrs. Kendrick motioned for Karen to sit down.
A few days later, Karen gave her report to the “Now, class, how many of you were surprised
class. At the end, Karen pointed to a large poster by some of the information in Karen’s report?”
she had made and placed on an easel. “This shows Mrs. Kendrick asked. Almost everyone in the
the routes of Columbus’s four voyages,” she said. class raised his or her hand—including Karen.
“As you can see, he covered a lot of territory.” “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Every year on the second Monday in October,

we observe Columbus Day, but what are we
really celebrating? As you heard, Columbus was
a great navigator, and he pushed the boundaries
of the European world. However, pushing these
boundaries also led to hundreds of years of
disease, hardship, and slavery for the Native
Americans. Do we honor him for what he
achieved, or do we reflect on the suffering that
followed his voyages? As we get ready for
Columbus Day, we should all think about these
questions and what we want the holiday to mean
“It seems kind of unfair that the New World
to each of us.”
didn’t get named for Columbus. Instead, it was
named for another Italian explorer, Amerigo As Karen listened, she thought about all the
Vespucci. At least there are a lot of places in the things she had learned—and unlearned—about
United States named for him, like Columbus, Christopher Columbus. Then she thought about
Ohio.” the things she knew and didn’t know about other
famous people in history. She knew she had
She looked over at her teacher, Mrs. Kendrick,
plenty more research ahead of her.
who was standing at the side of the room.

“Excellent report, Karen,” Mrs. Kendrick said.

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 21 22

Glossary
abusing (v.) mistreating, especially in a
cruel or violent way (p. 17)

admiral (n.) a very high-ranking officer

in a navy (p. 16)

channel (n.) a wide passage of water that

connects two larger bodies of
water (p. 19)

colonists (n.) people who live in a colony or

are founders of a new colony
(p. 17)

disgrace (n.) a loss of respect as a result

of having done something
dishonorable (p. 18)

fleet (n.) a group of ships or other

vehicles operating under one
commander or owner (p. 17)

navigator (n.) a person who plots a course

to arrive at an intended
destination (p. 22)

New World (n.) North and South America,

especially in relation to early
exploration (p. 21)

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 23

Glossary optimism (n.) the belief that everything is
abusing (v.) mistreating, especially in a going to turn out well (p. 17)
cruel or violent way (p. 17) revolted (v.) fought against the government
admiral (n.) a very high-ranking officer or authority (p. 17)
in a navy (p. 16) route (n.) a path or road from one place
channel (n.) a wide passage of water that to another (p. 10)
connects two larger bodies of settlement (n.) a new place where people live
water (p. 19) (p. 15)
colonists (n.) people who live in a colony or slaves (n.) people who are legally owned
are founders of a new colony and completely controlled by
(p. 17) another person (p. 17)
disgrace (n.) a loss of respect as a result tragedy (n.) an event that causes great
of having done something destruction, suffering, or loss
dishonorable (p. 18) of life (p. 17)
fleet (n.) a group of ships or other triumphant (adj.) joyous because of recent
vehicles operating under one success (p. 16)
commander or owner (p. 17)
venture (n.) a risky project or undertaking
navigator (n.) a person who plots a course (p. 7)
to arrive at an intended
destination (p. 22) ventured (v.) dared to go to a dangerous
place (p. 8)
New World (n.) North and South America,
especially in relation to early voyage (n.) a long trip or journey,
exploration (p. 21) especially on a ship (p. 12)

Christopher Columbus • Level Z 23 24

Christopher LEVELED BOOK • Z

Columbus Christopher
Columbus
A Reading A–Z Level Z Leveled Book
Word Count: 2,752

Written by David Dreier • Illustrated by Mike Lariccia

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Christopher
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Columbus

Christopher Columbus
Level Z Leveled Book
© Learning A–Z Correlation
Written by David Dreier Written by David Dreier LEVEL Z
Illustrated by Mike Lariccia
Illustrated by Mike Lariccia Fountas & Pinnell U–W
All rights reserved. Reading Recovery N/A
www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com DRA 50