Lewis and Clark

Children's Literature

With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, visionary president Thomas Jefferson planned an exploratory expedition to find out about the unknown area. He appointed Meriwether Lewis to lead the adventure. Lewis chose Captain William Clark to assume an equal command with himself. Thus began one of the most remarkable partnerships in American history. Averaging ten miles a day by canoe, keelboat, pirogue, horse, or on foot, the party covered thousands of miles in twenty-eight months. Seven men kept journals and collected plants, animals and Indian artifacts. In all, 178 new plants and 122 new animal species were found. Twenty-nine men were listed on the return roster, with one death and one desertion along the way. Noticeably absent were the names of York, a black man, and Sacagawea, the only woman. History recognizes this incredible woman as one of the reasons for the success of the expedition. Every day must have been an adventure and the book is loaded with interesting bits of information. The book is part of the "Great Explorations" series, and would be an excellent source for a Social Studies curriculum. It contains a timeline, web sites, noteworthy inserts, maps, engravings, and paintings that will appeal to young historians. 2002, Benchmark Books,
— Laura Hummel

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-These accessible titles will find use as adjuncts to social-studies curricula. Written in Calvert's characteristically engaging style, the first two books include a good deal of personal detail about both Boone and Peary, a reflection of both the sources available and the author's approach to their life stories. Lewis and Clark is a cut above other series titles on the topic; Faber does not sensationalize or overdramatize the encounters with, and central role of, various Native American tribes in the journey of the Corps of Discovery. A brief chapter is devoted to Sacagawea's role, but with the caution of how little documented information there is about her life. The general outline of this amazing expedition is clearly given, but in this brief text many of the wonderful details and key elements that make this seminal event in U.S. history so compelling are not included. However, this book would be a great starting point for more extensive study, or as a historical survey. In all the books, primary sources are quoted extensively, but well integrated into the fluid texts while colorful boxed notes amplify and provide contextual information. A variety of illustrations enhance the content, including color reprints of paintings, maps, black-and-white lithographs, and, in the Peary title, photographs. While most of the artwork is of high quality, there are a few grainy reproductions and photos. Bibliographies and notes list primary sources. Appealing and user-friendly titles.-Nancy Collins-Warner, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.