The King's Fifth facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Scott O'Dell |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
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Publication date
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September 1966 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover, Paperback) |
| Pages | 272 pp (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0-395-06963-7 (hardcover), (paperback) |
| OCLC | 301963 |
The King's Fifth is an exciting historical adventure novel written by Scott O'Dell in 1966. This book tells the story of a young Spanish mapmaker named Estéban. He travels to the Americas during a time when European explorers, called Conquistadors, were searching for amazing gold treasures.
The novel shows how this hunt for gold changed the lives and minds of everyone involved. The title, "The King's Fifth," refers to a rule from that time. It meant that one-fifth (or 20%) of any treasure found had to be given to the King of Spain. This book even inspired the popular cartoon TV series The Mysterious Cities of Gold.
Contents
Exploring the New World: The Story of The King's Fifth
This story takes place a long time ago, when Spanish explorers known as Conquistadors arrived in the Americas. They were looking for legendary gold treasures that belonged to the native peoples of these lands. The book follows Estéban and his group on their dangerous journey.
The main character, Estéban, is a young mapmaker. He is put on trial for not telling the Spanish king about a huge amount of gold. The entire story is told from his point of view while he is in prison. He looks back at the amazing adventures and difficult choices he made.
The group travels through what is now New Mexico and Arizona. They face many challenges, including harsh deserts and conflicts. They are always searching for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. The story explores themes of greed, loyalty, and what it means to be truly rich.
Meet the Characters: Who's Who in The King's Fifth?
Here are some of the important characters you'll meet in the book:
- Estéban de Sandoval - He is the main character and a teenage mapmaker. He records the journey and draws maps of the new lands.
- Zia Troyano - A brave young Native American girl who becomes a guide for the expedition. She helps them understand the land and its people.
- Captain Blas de Mendoza - He is an important leader of the expedition. Mendoza is very focused on finding gold and becoming wealthy.
- Father Francisco - A priest who joins the journey. He wants to spread his faith and explore new territories.
- Roa and Zuñiga - These two are musicians and friends of Captain Mendoza. They are part of his close group.
From Book to Screen: Adaptations of The King's Fifth
The King's Fifth has inspired other stories, including a popular cartoon and a special adventure book.
The Mysterious Cities of Gold: A TV Series Inspired by the Book
The book was a big inspiration for the French cartoon TV series "Les Mystérieuses Cités d'or." This show is known in English as The Mysterious Cities of Gold. It aired from 1982 to 1983. Some characters in the cartoon have names similar to those in the book. The main goal of the cartoon, finding the Cities of Gold, is also the same. A famous scene from the book, involving a "golden lake," also appears in the cartoon. However, the cartoon adds elements of fantasy and science fiction. The TV series is set in South America, while the book's adventure takes place in North America.
Quest for the Cities of Gold: A Choose Your Own Adventure Book
The King's Fifth also influenced a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. This book was part of the Time Machine series and was published in 1987. In Quest for the Cities of Gold, readers get to meet Estéban at different points in their own adventure. This allows readers to make choices that change the story.
Awards and Recognition for The King's Fifth
The King's Fifth has received special honors for its storytelling:
- Newbery Honor Book, 1967: This is a prestigious award given to outstanding children's books in the United States.
- Federal Republic of Germany Jugendbuchpreis, 1970: This award recognizes excellent youth literature in Germany.
