The Sasquatch Award often highlights an outstanding non-fiction title along with the chapter books and the 2010 list is no exception. This year Patrick O'Brien's The Mutiny on the
Bounty came out on top. It's graphic novel approach to a complex historical event combined with O'Brien's excellent writing style results in an informative and interesting book. In order to make this story work for children O'Brien focused on events rather than on the larger than life personality clashes between captain and crew. Readers will learn about life on a British military ship where the captain was king including lovely details like what hardtack is and the weevils that eventually infest it. When food runs low the crew stops picking out the weevils and starts eating them for the protein. Such detail will simultaneously gross out and educate which is an excellent combination sometimes.
The artwork includes sweeping double page spreads with lots of detail that readers will enjoy picking through. Between the well written text and the well done artwork this book is an engaging historical treat. Plus kids get introduced to one of the most interesting mutiny stories floating around out there! Kids in grades 4-6 will get the most out of the story but 3rd graders will also enjoy this book.
