"The True Story of Christopher Columbus, Called the Great Admiral" by Elbridge S. Brooks

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean sponsored by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas. In this book, Brooks pulls no punches about some of the less-than-heroic things that Columbus did. He gives a relatively accurate account of Columbus' journey while still making it appropriate for children.