Welcome to New France: Conflicts in New France is one of six volumes in Beech Street Books set about the early development of New France written for elementary level students in grades 4 to 6. Written by Maddie Spalding the 32-page title offers basic information about the history of New France from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries. Each title is organized into six chapters each about 2 pages in length with colour illustrations and photographs, maps, charts, sidebars, glossary of new terms, additional resources, and an index. Topics in the Conflicts volume include: the foundations of New France, the origin of conflicts, alliances and enemies, the English threat, the Iroquoian wars, and the fall of New France. Framing questions assist students in historical inquiry by asking them to consider what factors influenced the Five Nations Iroquois as they shifted their alliance to the British. Additional areas of interest include the Algonquin, Cartier, Champlain, Donnacona, Huron-Wendat, Iroquois Confederacy, Mi'kmaq, Stadacona, and treaties. A useful resource for students learning about perspectives and the early history of New France. A minor point of contention is the statement that First Nations' ancestors migrated from Siberia. This information is presented as fact rather than a theory presented by anthropologists. Recommended.
