The Lewis and Clark Expedition (Graphic History)

Jessica Gunderson grew up in the small town of Washburn, North Dakota. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota and an MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She has written more than fifty books for young readers. Her book Ropes of Revolution won the 2008 Moonbeam Award for best graphic novel. She currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and cat.

Three episodes from American history get graphic makeovers. In Samuel Adams, a young patriot begins to question British rule. The biography follows him from his early days resisting taxation without representation to his final days as governor of Massachusetts. Lewis and Clark highlights the monumental trek, including the contributions of Sacagawea. The events before and after the mysterious disappearance of an entire colony are the focus of Roanoke Colony. While the artwork and dialogue are not outstanding, the three volumes do offer interesting glimpses into the past. The pacing and full-color illustrations bring the emotional aspect of these topics to life. Each book includes a follow-up section on the topic. Useful supplements or introductions. --School Library Journal; Vol. 53, No. 5; Page 165, June 2007

President Thomas Jefferson was a curious man. He was also aware of how good it would be for trade if a northwest passage could be found which connected the two oceans on either side of his great country. So, he decided to send his secretary and friend, Meriwether Lewis out on an expedition to explore the lands beyond the Mississippi River. He hoped that Lewis would be able to learn about these lands and perhaps find the hoped for passage. Lewis quickly set about putting together a group of twenty-one soldiers and twenty frontiersmen which he called the Corps of Discovery. He chose his friend and comrade, William Clark, to co-captain the group. After many preparations the group left Fort Wood, near St. Louis, on May 14 of 1804. They launched their one boat and set off upstream. Going against the current was backbreaking and often the men had to pull the boat with ropes. After traveling for two months they met their first Native American tribesman. Many more encounters with different tribes followed and that first winter the Corps spent the winter near the camp of the Mandan tribe. It was here that Lewis and Clark met a French-Canadian trapper and his Native American wife. She was called Sacagawea and because she knew the language of the Shoshone she and her husband were invited to join the expedition. In April of 1805 the journey due west began once more. Soon they were heading towards the mountains and it became clear that no waterway could possibly cross the high peaks. A Northwest Passage did not exist but the group was determined to see what lay to the west even if there was no river to take them there. Luckily the Shoshone were willing to help the travelers and they traded with them for horses which carried the men and their supplies up the mountains and to the other side. Ahead of them, due west, lay the Pacific Ocean. This splendid book with its gripping text and its wonderful graphic artwork will give young readers an excellent introduction to one of the most fascinating expeditions ever made. Readers will meet Sacagawea whose language skills helped the Americans, and York, an African American whose courage and good sense made him an invaluable member of the group. --Through the Looking Glass Childrens Book Review, , February 2007

This story is a nonfiction account of the great expedition requested by President Jefferson. Lewis and Clark, with men and supplies, set off to find a passage that would connect the land between the two oceans. Up until this expedition, few went beyond the Mississippi River. While on this dangerous adventure, Lewis and Clark meet a French-Canadian trapper and his wife, Sacagawea, who accompany them and prove very valuable in the success of the journey because Sacagawea can translate the Indian language. This adventure provides insight to the hardships endured by early explorers, as well as the good times and the excitement of success. The book is written in graphic format that is a favorite of mine. The graphic format makes it perfect for students who are reluctant readers and never seem to finish a book on their own. Young adults who want to read anything they can get their hands on will also enjoy the graphics and fast paced text. The full-color graphics make an enormous impact on the story. The author includes a box on most pages with narration giving extra information to the reader to help with comprehension. Vocabulary has been well-selected. This book is an excellent resource that could be used for writing a summary, a book report, or as a source for research. At the end of the book the author includes two pages with more information about the expedition. I honestly did not know that Jefferson made Lewis the Governor of the Louisiana Territory. The author also includes a Glossary with a pronunciation guide, and a list of other books and web sites that might be of interest to the reader. I highly recommend this book that is part of the Graphic Library series. --Childrens Literature Comprehensive Database, July 2007