About This Book
Reach for this book when your child expresses a desire for bigger adventures or shows curiosity about how people lived in distant lands long ago. It is an ideal choice for the student who feels constrained by their daily routine and needs to see how persistence and curiosity can open up the entire world. This accessible biography introduces Marco Polo, a young man who traveled from Italy to China, navigating treacherous terrains and foreign courts. The book highlights themes of resilience and bravery as Marco faces the physical challenges of the Silk Road. Written with a clear narrative structure and helpful illustrations, it is perfectly suited for children aged 7 to 10 who are transitioning into longer nonfiction texts. Parents will appreciate how it frames exploration not just as a physical journey, but as a way to build cross-cultural understanding and lifelong courage.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is secular and direct. It mentions the hardships of travel, including illness and the threat of bandits, in a matter-of-fact way. The resolution is realistic: Marco returns home wealthy but changed, and his stories are initially met with skepticism, providing a hopeful look at the power of truth.
