Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2^-4. From the Picture Book Biography series, this well-illustrated book introduces Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and their most celebrated joint venture. Sandwiched between biographical information on the leaders before and after the journey, a longer section on the expedition shows significant moments as the Corps of Discovery made its way across the continent and back. A short book about a large subject must necessarily leave many things out, but Adler does a creditable job of presenting basic information about the Lewis and Clark Expedition as well as the two men who led it. Brightening every double-page spread, Himler's impressionistic paintings include quiet portraits of the men as well as dramatic scenes from their adventures. --Carolyn Phelan
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-The story of the Corps of Discovery has recently recaptured American interest, and Adler's version of the historical expedition captures the spirit of adventure for a young audience. The most important facts and dates of the expedition are related in a casual, interest-grabbing style. The watercolor paintings span two-page spreads and convey the grandeur and scope of the unexplored West. The text is well placed within the illustrations. Similar to Steven Kroll's Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the American West (Holiday, 1994), this book is on an even easier reading level. A worthy addition to the series, it will be used for reports as well as for general interest.-Heather E. Miller, Homewood Public Library, AL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This accessible account of the Lewis and Clark expedition begins with a bit of biographical information about both men. For the sake of brevity, the text glosses over the complexities of the mission, and some statements lack context (e.g., west of the Mississippi was a land of mystery only to European settlers). The illustrations enhance the text's drama. Reading list, author's note, timeline, websites. Bib. From HORN BOOK Fall 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Adler (A Picture Book of Harriet Beecher Stowe, p. 378, etc.) marks the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition with this informative biography for young readers. He traces the two-year journey from beginning to end and brings the narrative to life with excerpts from letters and journal entries. Occasionally, Adler interjects, placing events in context and pointing out their significance. For example, he writes that when the "Corps of Discovery" reached the Pacific Ocean in the winter of 1805, they took a vote to decide where to set up camp. "Among those who voted," he explains, "were Clark's slave, York, and Sacagawea, long before blacks and women voted in United States elections." His explanation surrounding the circumstances of Lewis's death, three years after journey's end, allows room for interpretation. Backmatter contains an author's note, time line, bibliography, and suggested Web sites. The opening map, unfortunately, creates confusion in an otherwise exemplary effort. All land east of the Mississippi is labeled "United States," individual states are not identified, and North America's entire eastern border is obscured. The land west of the river to the Rocky Mountains is ringed in purple, but not labeled as the former Louisiana Territory. In addition, 12 states are marked, not the 15 that eventually occupied the land. An explanation is provided later ("When the mission was planned, the land just west of the Mississippi River belonged to France. By the time it began, it belonged to the United States"), but it does little to bring the fuzzy geography into focus. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-8) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
