
Reach for this book when your child is gripped by a spirit of adventure or expresses frustration when a goal feels out of reach. It is the perfect tool for fostering patience and showing that the greatest rewards often require a long, difficult trek. The story follows Hiram Bingham's 1911 expedition through the dense Peruvian clouds and rugged Andes to find the 'lost city' of the Incas. Beyond the historical facts, the book emphasizes the emotional journey of discovery: the quiet wonder of the natural world, the resilience needed to face physical challenges, and the respect for the indigenous people who held the keys to the past. While it is categorized as a chapter book, the lush, cinematic illustrations make it accessible for younger elementary students while providing enough historical depth to captivate older readers through age ten.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewReflects the 1911 perspective of 'discovery' by a Westerner of an indigenous site.
The book is secular and objective. It briefly touches on the dangers of the journey, such as venomous snakes and steep cliffs, in a realistic rather than sensationalist way. It acknowledges the indigenous Quechua people as the true keepers of the site's location.
An 8-year-old who loves building complex structures and wonders what the world looked like before technology, or a child who needs a reminder that 'boring' walks or hard work can lead to magical discoveries.
Read the author's note at the end first. It provides necessary historical nuance regarding Bingham's legacy and the fact that the city was never truly 'lost' to the local people who lived there. A parent might choose this after hearing a child complain that 'there is nothing left to discover' or seeing a child give up on a project because the middle part is too difficult.
Younger children (6-7) will be mesmerized by Ted Lewin's hyper-realistic watercolors and the sense of 'treasure hunting.' Older children (9-10) will appreciate the maps, the logistical difficulty of the expedition, and the historical significance of the Incan Empire.
The artwork is the standout. Lewin’s ability to capture the play of light and mist in the Andes makes this feel like a documentary film in book form, elevating it above standard historical biographies.
The book chronicles Hiram Bingham's 1911 expedition in Peru. Guided by local residents and a young boy named Pablito, Bingham climbs through the hazardous Urubamba Valley to eventually reveal the ruins of Machu Picchu to the Western world.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.