A perfect title for little adventurers describing forty significant historical discoveries from little artifacts to whole cities including the people and circumstances behind their uncovering.

The discoveries of archaeologists and paleontologists are pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle by which scientists compose a picture of times long past. Past times laid the foundations of the present, just as the present is now laying the foundations of the future. The passing of each day makes each of us a bigger part of history.

So as not to be forgotten, we record and preserve moments we consider important, so creating our personal jigsaw. Our ancestors, distant and otherwise, didn’t have the means to do this. Even so, they left plenty behind. Although much of this plenty has been covered or destroyed by passing time, modern technology allows us to learn a great deal about it, and about ourselves too.

The discoveries are divided into five categories:

• People and Animals
• Towns and Cities
• Works of Art
• Under the Sea
• Underground

Let’s dive into the immersive world of excavations, dangerous journeys, and breathtaking sites to learn about the history of humankind.

Famous Finds and Finders: Searching for the Past is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

Reviewed by Meghan Cox Gurdon from The Wall Street Journal (read the full review here).

Chosen as a Children’s Book Council Hot of the Press book (November 2023).