The journey of York The unsung hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

York, a man enslaved by Captain William Clark, was the only African American member of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Davis describes this storied journey from York's point of view, letting him tell about encounters with Indians who had never seen a black man, his vow to keep Sacajawea and her son alive at any cost, and a harsh snowstorm in the mountains. In one memorable scene, York describes a decision in which his vote is counted along with those of white men. The text is somewhat long for a picture book but full of interesting details. Harris contributes a series of well-composed tableaux, portraying each character with dignity while featuring a variety of American landscapes. A picture book spotlighting York is welcome, and his portrayal here is respectful and sympathetic, though the first-person narrative rests on somewhat shaky ground between fact and fiction. The appended author's note offers further information, but no sources. Still, this picture book provides a colorful introduction to York, a unique figure in American history.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2019 Booklist

York was the only man who set out with Lewis and Clark on their journey of exploration who did not volunteer. As William Clark's enslaved manservant and the only nonwhite member, he didn't have the choice.In a series of brief, dated snapshots, York narrates the story of the expedition from his embarkation from Louisville in 1803 to the eve of their departure from the Oregon coast in 1806. In between, he covers incidents both oft-told (Sacagawea's joining the party at Fort Mandan; the geographical challenges met) and rarely heard (Clark's use of York to impress Native peoples; York's inclusion in the vote on the decision to site their final winter camp). Davis imagines York's feelings as he navigates his role as both enslaved African-American man and almost-full member of the expedition, narrating in a stiff voice that emulates 19th-century prose and also captures the stress of life as a second-class citizen: "After that voteI worked as hard as any three men. Capt. Clark said that I pushed my body to exhaustion.' I just wanted to show the others how much I deserved that vote." Harris' illustrations also evoke the flat, primitive style of much 19th-century painting. Compositions frequently place York at the margins or in the shadows, underscoring the fact that he was not a full member of the party. A closing author's note contextualizes and complicates his legacy.An important, underheard voice. (glossary) (Picture book. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.