From Publishers Weekly
Blumberg's meticulously chronicles the explorers' westward odyssey in clear text, original art and archival photos; a PW Best Book of 1987. Ages 8-up. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up The Lewis and Clark expedition, that staple of American history courses, is given a fresh account here. Blumberg explores a confrontation between two cultures, in a manner which is sympathetic to and revealing of the feelings of both peoples. She describes the experience of entering those lands west of the Mississippi, uncharted territory when President Jefferson proposed the expedition in 1803. The 16 chapters which follow the journey are arranged chronologically, concluding with the return of the explorers in 1806. The text is clear and often entertaining, with concrete details to bring historical events to life. Blumberg is refreshingly frank about the humanness of the expedition's members and the relationships that they had with some of the native Americans. The concluding chapter is a rather hasty summing up, but final sections, which include detailed chapter notes and an ``Aftermath'' about the later lives of prominent members of the expedition make up for this. Much care has been taken throughout the book to use and refer to primary sources, both in text and illustrations, which are generally well reproduced. Blumberg is not a great prose stylisther text is often flat, and her people don't come to life. Where she shines is in the imaginative use of extensive research to tell, compellingly and entertainingly, stories from history. She respects her subject and her audience: an approach which makes this an outstanding choice to introduce young readers to this seminal American event. Christine Behrmann, New York Public LibraryCopyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
A lively, gritty account of Lewis and Clark's incredible journey west across uncharted North America -- a two-and-a-half year odyssey filled with danger, disappointment, and discovery. "Blumberg's eloquent narrative and meticulous research represents a dramatic blend of history and biography." -- Boston Globe.


Card catalog description
Describes the expedition led by Lewis and Clark to explore the unknown western regions of America at the beginning of the nineteenth century.


About the Author
Rhoda Blumberg has written about the opening of Japan (1853-1854) in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun, a Newbery Honor Book, which also won the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and the Golden Kite Award. Her acclaimed histories also include The Incredible Journey of Lewis & Clark, The Great American Gold Rush, and The Remarkable Voyages of Captain Cook, all ALA Notable Books. She is the winner of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to nonfiction.Rhoda Blumberg says that while doing research for Commodore Perry, "I read about the ordeals and strange adventures of Manjiro, then spent years replaying his life story in my mind until I felt impelled to write about him."The author and her husband, Gerald, live in Yorktown Heights, New York.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A lively, gritty account of Lewis and Clark's incredible journey west across uncharted North America — a two-and-a-half year odyssey filled with danger, disappointment, and discovery. "Blumberg's eloquent narrative and meticulous research represents a dramatic blend of history and biography." — Boston Globe.

About the Author

Rhoda Blumberg has written about the opening of Japan (1853-1854) in Commodore Perry in the Land of the Shogun, a Newbery Honor Book, which also won the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award and the Golden Kite Award. Her acclaimed histories also include The Incredible Journey of Lewis & Clark, The Great American Gold Rush, and The Remarkable Voyages of Captain Cook, all ALA Notable Books. She is the winner of the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to nonfiction.

Rhoda Blumberg says that while doing research for Commodore Perry, "I read about the ordeals and strange adventures of Manjiro, then spent years replaying his life story in my mind until I felt impelled to write about him."

The author and her husband, Gerald, live in Yorktown Heights, New York.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Blumberg's meticulously chronicles the explorers' westward odyssey in clear text, original art and archival photos; a PW Best Book of 1987. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)

Children's Literature - Tina Dybvik

Blumberg's account examines commonly held beliefs of the early 1800s. The search for wooly mammoths and a lost Welch tribe may seem odd to present-day students, but it takes the reader on an expedition with authentic 19th century travelers. For example, Meriwether Lewis addresses Indians as "red children" and ironically barters weapons in order to buy peace. There is a frank discussion about Sacajawea's kidnapping and subsequent consorts, and several mentions of "overnights" with Indian women (which may be inappropriate for the age range). Overall descriptions of tribal life and politics are complex and respectful. An introductory map and timeline illustrate the expedition's progress and are a useful reference throughout the book. The "Aftermath" section includes interesting facts about the fate of the travelers. The footnotes are extensive and the text concludes with a glossary of over 150 terms. It is an honest story about adventurers who should have failed, but made huge contributions to science instead. 2003 (orig. 1995), HarperTrophy/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 8 up.

Children's Literature - Gisela Jernigan

The Lewis and Clark Expedition did much more than extend knowledge of the geography of territories beyond the Mississippi River; it also led to many important discoveries in the fields of: biology, anthropology, linguistics and geology. Lewis and Clark found and described 122 animals and 178 types of plants that were new to science. Sixteen well-researched chapters cover the expedition from its planning stages by President Jefferson to its conclusion. There is even an aftermath chapter telling what happened to the main characters in the years following the expedition. Many quotes from primary sources and fascinating old drawings and paintings from the period help the reader feel almost like they are part of the adventure. It is easy to see why the book won the Golden Kite and other awards. Information is presented in a very lively but accurate way, and Blumberg is careful neither to idealize nor stereotype individuals or groups. Maps, research notes, an index, bibliography, forward and notes on illustrations are included. 1995 (orig.

School Library Journal