Lewis & Papa: Adventure on the Sante Fe Trail

by Barbara M. Joosse, Jon Van Zyle (Illustrations)

Lewis and his family live in a sturdy, stone house along the Wisconsin River. One day, a traveler happens by and spins stories about the Santa Fe Trail. And so begins Lewis and Papa's adventure. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the American West, Barbara Joosse, too, spins a gripping tale about fathers and sons; courage and tenderness; about the coming of age of a nation and the coming of age of a boy. For along the Santa Fe Trail, Lewis and Papa find more than an adventure. Amidst the buffalo stampedes and coyotes, the dark clouds of dust and heat, Lewis learns that being a man is more than bulging muscles and strength, and Papa learns that being tender is sometimes the most courageous act of all. Historically accurate details, illustrated maps, and a glossary of terms make this richly illustrated, poignant tale a coming of age story that will stir the minds and hearts of readers.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

[Author also goes by the name Barbara Joosse.]

Barbara M. Joosse has written many books for children. Among them are Mama, Do You Love Me?, illustrated by Barbara Lavallee; and I Love You the Purplest, illustrated by Mary Whyte. She says, "When I was a little girl, I wished for two things — a best friend, and something so ferocious it would scare away the monsters under my bed. And so I have written Lovabye Dragon. I think maybe it’s for little me." Barbara Josse lives in Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Noelani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Daughter (9 years old) read this for Early American History and gave it 2 stars. So, I read it to see why the low review and I have to agree. There’s not much substance in this one. Pictures are beautiful though.

[JD Waggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I often expect too much from children's books.

Hats off to Jon van Zyle in this; his illustrations are soft and beautifully rich in color and life. They're a little Impressionistic, which I wouldn't have expected with this subject matter, but somehow it works.

Unfortunately, I can't quite say the same for Joosee's story. I do like focusing on the father/son relationship and there are definitely some strong moments like when Big Red, the beloved family ox, dies and Papa assures Lewis that men are allowed to cry. ALL THE POINTS to Joosse for making that point without belaboring it or making it feel false. But the story feels choppy both in rhythm and in information. A pair from Wisconsin is going to go on the Santa Fe Trail starting in Missouri! How do they get from Wisconsin to Missouri? No idea. How do they get back? No idea. Why do only one or two things go wrong? Length, I suppose, which is a shame; it feels like a third of this book is taken up with the author's notes and the backstory and two versions of the same map rather than giving the story a little more room. (Although the info note about what the Trail was is pretty solid, I appreciated that.)

This is a very pretty book and an interesting introduction to the existence of the Santa Fe Trail (which I'd never heard of before this). It's not the best of relational kids' books, though. Very "meh" for me.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is supposed to be Barbara Joosse's father-and-son version of the mother-and-daughter Mama, Do You Love Me?, though for a somewhat older audience. A father and son learn about each other as they travel together on the Santa Fe trail. Some of the pictures in this book were breathtaking! Recommended.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade Level: Preschool - 7
Lexile Measure: 600L