Sir Francis Drake Circumnavigator of the Globe and Privateer for Queen Elizabeth

Gr 5–8—Francis Drake, "master thief of the unknown world," was both the most famous man in England and the subject of much criticism. The first explorer to circumnavigate the world, he was a pirate, a friend of Queen Elizabeth, powerful, and dangerous. Not much is known of his childhood. Born in 1540, he took his first sea voyage around the age of 13. As he pillaged and plundered his way across the Spanish territories and other countries, he accumulated great wealth for England and for himself. Drake died of dysentery during his last sea voyage in 1596. Eileen Stevens reads Joy Paige's text (Rosen, 2003) in a well-paced manner. Text notes are indicated by a beep, quotes are cited, and many explanations of historical details of the time are included without disruption to Drake's life story. A chronology of events is included at the end. Purchase where there is a need for resources on explorers.—Kefira Philippe, Nichols Middle School, Evanston, IL