My Travels with Capts. Lewis and Clark, by George Shannon

by Kate McMullan

Book Overview

MY TRAVELS WITH CAPTS. LEWIS AND CLARK BY GEORGE SMITH Kate McMullan and Adrienne Yorinks "Delectable period details, surprising facts, and classic moments keep the story lively. An inspiring... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006008099X
• ISBN13: 9780060080990
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Joanna Cotler Books
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.2" x 9.4"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Exciting Historical Journey

This was an extremely well-written and (clearly) well-researched book. It explores a truly heroic exploration of then-unknown regions of our nation, populated with peoples yet unknown to us, an interesting parallel to the explorations of Africa, which would follow in the next century. Several books have been written on the subject, but this one is unique in that it shows the experience from the eyes of a young person who was an actual member of the expedition. The fact that it is written by descendant of that person makes book all the more personal. Although it's been a half-century since I was 13, I think (as one who recently enjoyed "Holes," an adventure of a slightly different type, and whose favorite book at 13 was "Robinson Crusoe,") that this book will appeal to the 13 year-old age group who are looking for real-life adventure.

Perfect for history buffs

Kate McMullan's MY TRAVELS WITH CAPTS. LEWIS AND CLARK, BY GEORGE SHANNON is an excellent piece of historical fiction. McMullan accurately relates the happenings of the Lewis and Clark expedition through the unique format of journal entries. McMullan's protagonist is George Shannon, a young boy who joins the expedition after running away from his mean uncle, where he was apprenticed. George has no real experience either at sea or in hunting, but he has a spark that captures Captain Lewis. It also helps George that Seaman, the huge dog belonging to Lewis, takes an instant liking to George. The journal entries detail how Lewis and Clark picked their men to accompany them on their expedition, their meetings with different Native American tribes, the trials that they faced on the expedition, and how they handled life on the boat. George Shannon is an honest narrator. When he must witness other expedition members being tried for mistakes they made, he expresses how difficult it is for him to see humans being whipped, even though he knows they committed wrongdoings. George has an engaging way of telling stories in his journal entries, and readers will appreciate the fact that he is saving the journal to give to his mother one day. This shows a strong sense of family, even though they are miles apart physically. History buffs will especially enjoy this book, as the details of the expedition are minute and thorough. An added historical bonus is that George Shannon was a real person who followed Lewis and Clark on their expedition, and was in fact an ancestor of the author, Kate McMullan. But fans of any genre will enjoy this work. The journal entries are short and engaging, and readers will feel a sense of accomplishment as they tear through the pages of this fascinating book. --- Reviewed by Melissa A. Palmer (Melissaenglish72@yahoo.com)