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What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
When Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the "Corp of Discovery" left St. Louis, Missouri, on May 21, 1804, their mission was to explore the vast, unknown territory acquired a year earlier in the Louisiana Purchase. The travelers hoped to find a waterway that crossed the western half of the United States. They didn't. However, young readers will love this true-life adventure tale of the two-year journey that finally brought the explorers to the Pacific Ocean.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 12, 2019
It should be called The Sacagawea, Lewis, and Clark Expedition.
December 22, 2020
I learned that in the Lewis and Clark journals there are 15 different spellings of mosquito!
I would have liked to see way more maps.
I would have liked to see way more maps.
April 30, 2018
"The Lewis and Clark Expedition changed the face of the American West forever."
When Thomas Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as co-captains of an epic western expedition, his intention was to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean. For two years Lewis and Clark, eventually aided by Sacagawea and her husband Charbonneau, traversed rugged territories by land and water, stopping only to make winter camps in the harshest of conditions.
When the explorers returned to St. Louis in 1806, they shared a plethora of information ranging from maps and Indian tribes, to unknown plants and animals. Their copious notes and drawings are invaluable to this day.
When Thomas Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as co-captains of an epic western expedition, his intention was to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean. For two years Lewis and Clark, eventually aided by Sacagawea and her husband Charbonneau, traversed rugged territories by land and water, stopping only to make winter camps in the harshest of conditions.
When the explorers returned to St. Louis in 1806, they shared a plethora of information ranging from maps and Indian tribes, to unknown plants and animals. Their copious notes and drawings are invaluable to this day.
March 5, 2025
What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
This book is terrific book for young readers. This book tells the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition across America. This text is simple for young children to read and understand, while helping to peak an interest in exploration.
This is a wonderful book for early readers and it offers a lighthearted view of American history.
When Thomas Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as co-captains of an epic western expedition, his intention was to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean. For two years Lewis and Clark, eventually aided by Sacagawea and her husband Charbonneau, traversed rugged territories by land and water, stopping only to make winter camps in the harshest of conditions.
When the explorers returned to St. Louis in 1806, they shared a plethora of information ranging from maps and Indian tribes, to unknown plants and animals. Their copious notes and drawings are invaluable to this day.
A great way to learn about the United State's history. Vey detailed writing and nice pictures.
Great job as well.
This book is terrific book for young readers. This book tells the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition across America. This text is simple for young children to read and understand, while helping to peak an interest in exploration.
This is a wonderful book for early readers and it offers a lighthearted view of American history.
When Thomas Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as co-captains of an epic western expedition, his intention was to find a waterway to the Pacific Ocean. For two years Lewis and Clark, eventually aided by Sacagawea and her husband Charbonneau, traversed rugged territories by land and water, stopping only to make winter camps in the harshest of conditions.
When the explorers returned to St. Louis in 1806, they shared a plethora of information ranging from maps and Indian tribes, to unknown plants and animals. Their copious notes and drawings are invaluable to this day.
A great way to learn about the United State's history. Vey detailed writing and nice pictures.
Great job as well.
Read
November 5, 2017My eleven year old son is in Reading Olympics in his school. I have decided to join in and read with him!
November 10, 2022
I enjoyed this one. This one has actual black and white photos of many things connected with the expedition. Very nice.
September 22, 2017
Lewis and Clark explored the wild west, and discovered many wonderful things. Good thing Sacagawea was there to help them!
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March 18, 2016Fiction APA Citation: Becker, A. (2013). Journey. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Rationale: When students learn about Lewis and Clark, it's hard for them to imagine the complete unknown that the explorers faced. The book Journey gives them a small taste of how the explorers could have felt by now knowing what was coming next. Each page in Journey gets more fantastical, which forces students to feel a sense of wonder like the explorers may have felt as well.
Text structure: Sequential and narrative.
Text features: Headings, titles, drawings, pictures, captions, timeline, maps, letters, sketches from Lewis and Clark's journals.
Strategy: Directed reading-thinking activity. During the reading of Journey, stop often to allow students to make connections to real life explorers they have heard about. Students can make predictions about what will happen next. The whole time, the teacher should be reminded students of real explorers that we will be learning about later. Then, while reading about Lewis and Clark, refer students back to the wordless book we read previously about exploring. Students should be able to make the connection to our nameless explorer in Journey and Lewis and Clark's Expedition.
Rationale: When students learn about Lewis and Clark, it's hard for them to imagine the complete unknown that the explorers faced. The book Journey gives them a small taste of how the explorers could have felt by now knowing what was coming next. Each page in Journey gets more fantastical, which forces students to feel a sense of wonder like the explorers may have felt as well.
Text structure: Sequential and narrative.
Text features: Headings, titles, drawings, pictures, captions, timeline, maps, letters, sketches from Lewis and Clark's journals.
Strategy: Directed reading-thinking activity. During the reading of Journey, stop often to allow students to make connections to real life explorers they have heard about. Students can make predictions about what will happen next. The whole time, the teacher should be reminded students of real explorers that we will be learning about later. Then, while reading about Lewis and Clark, refer students back to the wordless book we read previously about exploring. Students should be able to make the connection to our nameless explorer in Journey and Lewis and Clark's Expedition.
August 14, 2025
Great Overview of Voyage of Discovery
Even this brief overview of the Voyage of Discovery contains many surprising details, like the fact that Sacagewea was taken as a slave by other Indian tribes in her youth. Great introduction to the topic, especially for young readers.
Even this brief overview of the Voyage of Discovery contains many surprising details, like the fact that Sacagewea was taken as a slave by other Indian tribes in her youth. Great introduction to the topic, especially for young readers.
November 14, 2019
My Friend, I Join You With Hand And Heart.
Local Citizens Came To Cheer Them Off With Shouts Of Good Luck And Safe Journey
I Had Rather Fight 2 Indians Than 1 Bear.
Never Did A Similar Event Excite More Joy Through The United States.
The Lewis And Clark Expedition Changed The Face Of The American West Forever.
What Was The Lewis & Clark Expedition?
The Cocaptains
The Journey Begins
Winter Sets In
Sacagawea
Pushing Off
Travel On The Rivers
Homecoming
The Continental Divide
In And Out Of Fort Clatsop
The Return Trip
Setbacks
TRAVELED TO // The West, Louisiana Purchase,
MET ALONG THE WAY // Meriweather Lewis, William Clark, Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea, Pompy, Grizzly Bears, Indians, Charbonneau
June 12, 2020
A wonderful supplemental read of the famed Corps of Discovery expedition. The ‘Who HQ’ books deliver important figures, dates, and points without being overwhelming, making retention of historical facts much easier.
From the very beginnings of the journey, across vast wilderness, to the homecoming of the Corps, this book is a wonderfully detailed account of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
The book raises awareness of just how foreign & wild North America was, even after the Revolutionary War. The strange animals, plants, & encounters with Native Americans. The short biographies of both Lewis & Clark... the mysterious death of Merriweather Lewis. The importance of Sacagawea & the joy ‘Pomp’ brought. Both hardships and joys are equally outlined in this easy to read book. Overall, it is the feeling of discovery and triumph over a grueling journey.
Talking points with my students were, perhaps not surprisingly, focused largely on the expansion westward and the Natives who called it home. Many difficult questions, some I still cannot answer for them.
From the very beginnings of the journey, across vast wilderness, to the homecoming of the Corps, this book is a wonderfully detailed account of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
The book raises awareness of just how foreign & wild North America was, even after the Revolutionary War. The strange animals, plants, & encounters with Native Americans. The short biographies of both Lewis & Clark... the mysterious death of Merriweather Lewis. The importance of Sacagawea & the joy ‘Pomp’ brought. Both hardships and joys are equally outlined in this easy to read book. Overall, it is the feeling of discovery and triumph over a grueling journey.
Talking points with my students were, perhaps not surprisingly, focused largely on the expansion westward and the Natives who called it home. Many difficult questions, some I still cannot answer for them.
March 13, 2025
This was kind of slow. I enjoyed it a lot, but that is the only negative about it. It had a lot of details in it that I absolutely LOVED, and it answered many questions I had later on. I also love that on the back of the book, there are questions about certain things in the book and whether they were really true or false, which I also liked.
This book is about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, where they explored the west of the United States. They needed to explore because they had bought some land called the Louisiana Purchase, which, cool fact, DOUBLED THE UNITED STATES! You can learn a little bit about the Louisiana Purchase and what they did in the Who Was Thomas Jefferson? book shown here: Who Was Thomas Jefferson?.
I thought this was very good, but not 5 stars because it was a little too slow for me. Everything else was a positive.
This book is about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, where they explored the west of the United States. They needed to explore because they had bought some land called the Louisiana Purchase, which, cool fact, DOUBLED THE UNITED STATES! You can learn a little bit about the Louisiana Purchase and what they did in the Who Was Thomas Jefferson? book shown here: Who Was Thomas Jefferson?.
I thought this was very good, but not 5 stars because it was a little too slow for me. Everything else was a positive.
August 21, 2023
In addition to our recent move to Oregon, we are traveling to St. Louis this fall. I wanted to brush up on the expedition to make sure that the lessons I learned a zillion years ago in grade school had actually stuck with me—and that I hadn’t embellished things in my memory. As usual, the What Was series was the perfect book to turn to: concise but entertaining recap with fun inset articles that add depth and context to the event.
But I think the young GR reviewer who noted that “I learned that in the Lewis and Clark journals there are 15 different spellings of mosquito!” hit the nail on the head! I loved that the author quoted these lines directly from the journals so we could see the spelling variations and be reminded that it is the journals that have helped us know, so accurately, what occurred on that journey
But I think the young GR reviewer who noted that “I learned that in the Lewis and Clark journals there are 15 different spellings of mosquito!” hit the nail on the head! I loved that the author quoted these lines directly from the journals so we could see the spelling variations and be reminded that it is the journals that have helped us know, so accurately, what occurred on that journey
March 11, 2025
¡Me encantó! El viaje de Lewis y Clarke por el norte y los ríos de los que hoy es Estados Unidos es en realidad una aventura que vale la pena conocer. Y en realidad no es solo la aventura de Lewis y Clarke, sino de una joven aguerrida y valerosa: Sakagawea, de la Tribu Shoshone acompañará en su viaje de dos años a la expedición y a su marido, un trampero llamado Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, en las condiciones más adversas y los momentos más peligrosos.
Yo leí un poco sobre este viaje en el libro "La historia secreta de Twin Peaks" y me leí estos libritos introductorios que realmente son muy buenos (con ilustraciones igual de buenas) y la aventura me encantó. Les juro que está para película: Disney, en lugar de andar con la basura de Marvel, lleva esta aventura a la pantalla! Buenísima.
Yo leí un poco sobre este viaje en el libro "La historia secreta de Twin Peaks" y me leí estos libritos introductorios que realmente son muy buenos (con ilustraciones igual de buenas) y la aventura me encantó. Les juro que está para película: Disney, en lugar de andar con la basura de Marvel, lleva esta aventura a la pantalla! Buenísima.
February 18, 2023
Because we live in the area surrounding the Lewis and Clark trail, we have seen some of these major historical sites. But I didn’t know much about them. I’ve been wanting to read their journals but I needed a quick history lesson to give me the basic outline of their journey. This book was perfect for that. In addition to this though, it gave a lot of history around Sacajawea, who I cannot wait to read more about. She was a fundamental character in their success of this journey, so I’m going to read more about her too. This was a very enjoyable little history book. Definitely going to look into more of these for the kids.
July 9, 2019
I have enjoyed reading every book from this series thus far and I am an adult. I love how they include illustrations and words on every page to help engage readers. This book was particularly interesting to me because I have visited many of the Lewis and Clark sites mentioned in the book. I especially liked how the author demonstrated several times the importance of having Sacagawea on the expedition. I would have loved to have seen more information about Clark's slave York or Lewis' dog and their roles on the trip.
December 12, 2020
A nice book for students on Lewis and Clark’s journey with the Corp of Discovery across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean. I enjoyed some of the specific stories of Sacajawea and her young son Pomp and how Clark took care of these two companions. Every time I read something about this amazing journey it makes me in awe of the courage and dedication these men had to complete President Jefferson’s mission.
July 31, 2021
This is a book written for children but I was inspired by the Jeopardy winner James Holzhauer to read more nonfiction kids books- so much faster to get all the info! I recently finished reading Stephan Ambrose’s book about Lewis and Clark but I think I learned almost as much in this one that you can pound out in less than an hour! This author has a whole series of nonfiction kids books and I plan to read more.
March 20, 2024
I learned a lot about this expedition. The book also made me want to learn more. Like how did they know that Charles Floyd died of a burst appendix? More about Sacagawea and her meeting with her own people so long after being kidnapped and taken away from her family.
It was so interesting how the Native Americans were depicted. How they were so helpful and how having Sacagawea there was really a symbol of peace. She doesn't get enough credit.
This was a good read.
It was so interesting how the Native Americans were depicted. How they were so helpful and how having Sacagawea there was really a symbol of peace. She doesn't get enough credit.
This was a good read.
March 29, 2018
I did not really like this book because it was not as interesting as the other what was or who was books. This book would be great for anyone who likes real detailed books. This book was about the Lewis and clark expedition and everything they went through. I think they gave a little to much details.
July 3, 2025
Many adventures face the reader of this book as well as the people who experienced it in real life. It is amazing that only one person died during this great adventure. You will learn many things about the great trip that this adventurous group took during the earlies years of our country. It is well worth the read.
January 23, 2026
What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition? explained the expedition very well and was easy to follow. Lewis and Clark were portrayed as good co-captains and friends, and the travel details were presented clearly and concisely. I liked learning about their daily routines and how their travel methods changed.
October 30, 2017
This is a great series of non-fiction reads for all readers, even adults. They are straightforward and uncomplicated. These books tell you the basic facts in an interesting way and are a great way to share history with younger readers. Read them all!
March 7, 2025
Learned a lot more about the expedition than I ever learned in Schoo! Not only did the Louisiana purchase double the size of the U.S.A, but the expedition showed us what great wealth was there in natural resources.
May 6, 2018
Good supplemental read for my 3rd grader.
November 13, 2018
Easy To Read History of Core of Discovery Expedition
This is a very easy and enjoyable read. The Lewis and Clark Core of Discovery journey is written in a very understandable format.
This is a very easy and enjoyable read. The Lewis and Clark Core of Discovery journey is written in a very understandable format.
January 9, 2019
Piqued my interest in a few topics but at times the storytelling felt repetitive and confusing.
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February 2, 2020These who was and what was books are really good just learn something that doesn't take long to read. They include lots of information and rare really interesting.:)
November 20, 2020
Looking for an adventure? Look no further!
December 18, 2020
My kids and I have read quite a few of these books, this was one of the most engaging. Adventures and expeditions will always pique the interest of kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews