I am Sacagawea

Ordinary People Change the World

by Brad Meltzer, Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator)

We can all be heroes. That’s the inspiring message of this New York Times bestselling picture book biography series from historian and author Brad Meltzer. Meet the series’ first Native American hero: Sacagawea, the Shoshone woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark’s expedition through the Louisiana Purchase.

Each picture book in this series is a biography of a significant historical figure, told in a simple, conversation, vivacious way, and always focusing on a character trait that makes the person a role model for kids. The heroes are depicted as children throughout, telling their life stories in first-person present tense, which keeps the books playful and accessible to young children. And each book ends with a line of encouragement, a quote, photos, a timeline, and a source list. Here, readers will learn the story of Sacagawea and her journey as a translator with Lewis and Clark’s expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Native American, Biography Memoir

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2017

About the author

Brad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and eleven other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The JFK Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill JFK before he was sworn in – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series, which he does with Chris Eliopoulos and inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. His newest kids books are We are the Beatles, We are the Beatles, and I am Simone Biles. His newest inspirational book is Make Magic, based on his viral commencement address.

In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.

He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.

He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.

For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.

His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!

His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.

His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.

His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.

He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.

Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who

Reviews

[Brad Meltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meltzer is my favorite. Sometimes I read his books while watching his TV shows, while also holding up a mirror. :)

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot that Sacagawea crossed the Northwest US with a newborn baby. How crazy is that? How crazy that she was married while she was 14. One thing I didn’t know was that her husband was on the expedition also. He helped translate the Indian tongue into French and someone on the team translated that into English. That sounds frustrating.

Sacagawea didn’t have a choice about this journey, but she did prove herself and she is the reason that they made it. It would have been a much more difficult journal without her. She helped them survive off the land because the Englishmen didn’t know how to do that. I’m glad she has such a prominent place in History. It also probably means we can expect more from our teens. They can be pretty capable.

The niece read it to herself and she gave it 3 stars. She wouldn’t tell me much of what she thought about the book.

Another great book in this series.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great edition to the Ordinary People Change the World series, I am Sacagawea gives great insight and details to the life of this young woman. What is most important about this book is its message. Young girls of all ages can be inspired by this book when they understand that a teenager who once was overlooked became one of the most well-known names in American history. She was courageous, fierce, kind, intelligent, and so much more. Even as an adult woman, it was great to read a story about another woman who brought about so much change when the world usually doubted her ability to accomplish anything outside of stereotypical duties. There is much to learn from this book in a historical and social sense. There were various aspects of the life of Sacagawea that I wasn't familiar with including the fact that she had a child so young and then had to take that child with her on the journey. I wasn't aware of the fact that she originally served as a translator and also a navigator. I also wasn't aware of the fact that she was able to reunite with her brother who became chief of their tribe. In addition to an excellent story, I found the artwork to be superb. It was nicely illustrated and it included enough text that it wasn't completely overwhelming. If you haven't checked out this book or any of the books in the series I would recommend getting them! They are AMAZING.

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to Sacagawea for children. It focuses on her achievements. While it highlights some of the difficulties in her life, for example being given to a Frenchman as a child bride, the tone of the book is light and positive. So, if you would like to introduce your child to Sacagawea but aren't ready to talk about some of the darker aspects of her story, this is a good place to start. Just be sure expose them to more serious sources when they get older.

[Nathan Albright · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a reminder of why it is such a hazard to write when one has an ax to grind and an agenda to push, especially when sources are so limited.  This book is demonstration of an author who wants to push someone as a hero in the wrong way.  To be sure, Sacagawea is an easy enough person to appreciate.  She was a person of fairly obvious skill and bravery, having married as a young captive in the savage wars of the plains to a French trapper, and faithfully serving the Lewis and Clark expedition through her pluck and linguistic abilities.  All of this would be easy enough to appreciate, but the author does not appear interested in this sort of honest and sober appreciation, placed in a context of difficult times.  Instead the author goes in full SJW mode and tries to make it seem unfair that she wasn't paid directly by the expedition but her husband was paid on her behalf.  While I will have some more to say about this later, I would like to say that the tone of the author, and the aggrieved resentment he shows, makes this novel a lot less enjoyable to read.

Admittedly, the story of Sacagawea is a short one and there is not a lot known about her.  So the author mostly focuses on what is known.  The author talks about her childhood in the Shoshone tribe, her being kidnapped during intertribal wars with another people, and her being given in marriage (probably with little consent on her part) to a trader who was hired on to the Lewis & Clark expedition.  The author talks a lot about that expedition, and about various trials that were faced and her pluck--it should be noted that the sources of the expedition were written by Lewis and Clark and others, and that there is no known account by her in the historical record.  The author's use of the written sources to cast aspersion on the courage and skill of those who wrote the sources is perverse, to say the least.  The author talks about the glory of her visiting the ocean and the poignant moment when she met her brother and found him as a chief of her people, but seems not to understand why she would not want to stay with her brother after having met him.

This book obviously has some problems.  The author seems to lack understanding of Sacagawea's perspective and why it was that she would prefer to explore new lands rather than stay with her brother and her native tribe.  Did her kidnapping (and the fact that her people did not rescue her) make a difference?  Was she looked down upon for having been given in marriage to a French trapper?  Did she simply want to explore new places and leave the scene of so much suffering behind?  These would be natural explanations of her behavior, including the fact that she had a job to do and wanted to do it well.  Likewise, the fact that the expedition gave her husband 320 acres and a certain amount of money was a sign of generosity to the family as a whole, seeing as the trapper was the head of a household with a young wife (she was a teenager at the time, we must remember) and a young child.  Since the normal grant of land was 160 acres per person, she was paid as part of the household.  Why the author cannot see this as an act of efficiency by treating the head of household as a representative of the whole family and instead views it as unjust is yet more evidence of why social justice warriors should leave writing to those who understand history and human psychology and everything else.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. A wonderful tribute to Sacagawea, a female Native American teen whose assistance in history is awe inspiring.

[Sarah Monzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kindergartener and third grader both love this book and have asked me to read it multiple times this week. There are so many things to admire about Sacagewea and I think gone author did a good job of bringing that message in an age appropriate way.

[Lindsay Nixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC.

This is THE book I'd buy if I had child, especially a daughter. I'd read it to her as a small child, then when she (or he) was older read it so they could ask questions and we could talk about all the different issues touched on in the story... Later, it would become a book they read to themselves. This book is perfect... it imparts so many important messages at all stages of childhood growth. PLUS it's the TRUE history.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very wordy book, which you wouldn't think just looking at the size and cover. I enjoyed it, but it looks like it is for preschoolers and it definitely is not. I'd say 1st or 2nd grade? Maybe 3rd?

Anyway, Sacagawea was a complete badass. You should definitely read this book with your kids.

[Megan Polzin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biography- WOW Book! This book was a WOW book for me because it introduced me to a historical figure that I had known about but was not extremely familiar with. I was impressed with the authors positive message of "Wherever you go in life... make your own path. Shatter expectations."

SYNTHESIS:
This biography provided an honest and powerful story about the journey of Sacagawea throughout the United States. The book detailed her encounters with the French as well as Lewis and Clark. As the only female, teenage, mother on the Corps of Discovery, the played a key role in translating and navigating for Lewis and Clark. This book really sheds light on an important, female, historical figure who overcomes hardships and becomes known for her bravery. This book would be best suited for 3rd or 4th grade students.

IN MY CLASSROOM:
I would use this book in my 3rd or 4th grade classroom to introduce the topic of Native Americans and the way they were treated by outsiders. This book provides a different perspective about Sacagawea and how she was a key figure during the Lewis and Clark expedition. This hopefully will help my students to understand that this land was not 'discovered' by people such as Columbus and Lewis & Clark but that it originally belonged to the Native American people and their land was taken from them.

I would also like to use this book along with the other "I am" books to introduce my students to biographies. Sometimes, biographies are not interesting and are full of text but this series of books may engage students more and get them excited about different types of text. Students could also use these texts to start their research on an important historical figure!

[Katee Finegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this biography! This book was written from her point of view in a kid-friendly manner and is great for grades 2-5. Brad Meltzer describes the life of Sacagawea and her influence in Western expansion in the US in a fun, entertaining way. Not only does it talk about who Sacagawea was, it allows students to gain an understanding of what life was like back then and how the US became what it is today.

It is definitely a WOW book for me because it doesn't read like a boring, non-fiction text. While it is extremely informative, it is a fun story to read with amazing illustrations. It allows history to be told in a creative and interesting way.

There are many activities that can be done with this book. For starters, if your class is doing a "history museum" where students choose historical influencers that they want to research and become experts on, this book would be perfect!

This book could also be used to practice reading strategies such as inferences. Students can read the text and come up with inferences about Sacagawea's thoughts, feelings about colonization, and her character traits.

This book could also be incorporated into your history lessons on Western expansion so that students can learn about the exploration of the West from viewpoints others than white males.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure what age group this is for. It's definitely more nonfiction type than any of the others have been. I did learn a few things about her though...I didn't know any of the "romance" part of her life nor that her husband was on the journey with them.

[Elizabeth Banville · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) n/a
2) Pre-Kindergarten
3) This book is about the exploration of Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea. This book shows that Sacagawea helped the European explorers communicate and explore America. It also shows how strong Sacagawea was because she explored America with her baby on her back.
4) This is a great book to show children that they can accomplish many things even through challenges. It can also teach children how each person is valuable to a team. Finally, it can teach children that other cultures and races are important.
5) a) The class can talk about difficult things that they go through (reading, writing, tying their shoes, etc.) and then talk about how others help them (classmates, teacher, family, etc.) just like how Sacagawea helped Lewis and Clark on their expedition.
b) The class can be assigned class jobs and explain how each job is important to their class, like how Sacagawea was important to the exploration.
c) The class can do a KWL chart on Native Americans, and then do a unit explaining how they communicate, where they lived, what they ate, etc.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Sacagawea c) 2017 A children’s biographical picture book by Brad Meltzer and one in a series entitled “Ordinary People Change the World”. This book is chock-full of information about Sacagawea and her role in the Lewis & Clark expedition. No need to be offended by the cartoonlike pictures. All of the books in this series use this motif. One page I found so interesting was how languages were interpreted down the line. (approx. p. 10) Shoshoni into Hidatsa into French into English. Another page explained that we can find 8 different ways to spell Sacagawea’s name in Lewis & Clark’s journals alone! (approx. p. 14) The inner strength and drive of this young woman are emphasized in this book. She was a female Native American and a teenage mom who faced adversities. She is definitely someone for us to know!

[Kaylee Aulenbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book goes through the life of Sacagawea and how she came in contact with lewis and clark.

I loved this book because it gave so much detail about her life that i did not already know. It shows how she powers through the struggles that came her way.

i would use this book for history. when talking about lewis and clark and Sacagawea this gives the kids a fun way to learn facts about her life and how the three came in contact with each other. at the end of this book it has a quote that i would want the kids to rewrite. " I am a girl. I am a teenager. I am a mother. I am a native American. and I am Powerful. I am Sacagawea, and i will blaze my own trail." I love this so much and i would use this to show the kids that it's okay to be who you are.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sacagawea narrates her life from childhood through her quest with Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. She was 16, carrying her infant son, and the only woman in the group. I like that the book puts her accomplishments in perspective, explaining that being a girl, young and Native American were three strikes against her. Yet, she did not allow herself to be limited. The book aspires to inspire, and it succeeds. The digital illustrations are full of life, color and appealing comic book like elements, such as speech bubbles and panels. I appreciate that the author consulted the National Museum of the American Indian for input. Back matter includes photographs, a timeline and sources

[Gmr · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this isn't an inspiring story for young ladies, I don't know what is! We learn how this young lady was actually given her name and the myriad of ways it was spelled. We discover the atrocities of war even back then, and how motherhood could be on the new frontier. We even learn that the images we've come to recognize of this fair Indian maiden...may not exactly be of this fair Indian maiden...and while all that is sinking in, we are entertained as well with the lovely and at times comical illustrations that fill ever two page spread. Definitely a life story you don't want to miss.


***copy received for review

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of the three books I have read (I am Sacagawea, Harriet Tubman, and Gandhi) were about how these people had the courage and the perseverance to do the things they believed was right. I would imagine that a lot of people can tell whenever something is right and wrong and most of the times that's all people do. They know which is which, but they don't do anything about it. These books taught me that if you know what's wrong and you know what you can do about it to change it, then you can make a difference in the world. You can end up helping not only yourself, but others too.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Ordinary People Change World biographical picture book series from Brad Meltzer. Positive and inspiring for preschoolers. Christopher Eliopoulos’ cute illustrations just add another layer of appeal!

As the series progresses, the books boast more text. With Sacagawea's story, having to talk about the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark expedition, it allows readers to have a bigger scope of her contribution.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of this series, but I admire this one as it emphasizes that she was
"...the only girl.
The only teenager.
The only one with a baby.
And the only Native American."
and she explains again and again "that's how it was back then" helping the reader to cross the cultural divide.
I might actually use this one as it has enough detail yet is simple enough to help the reader understand the important events.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone with a child or who knows a child needs to have this book. Beautifully written and illustrated, "I am Sacagawea" will encourage children, young adults, and everyone else that nothing can stop you from blazing your own trail. What a wonderful attitude to instill in the youth of today. I highly recommend this book.

[Eric Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

While my daughter and I have loved reading other “I Am” books by Meltzer, this one seems more forced. The inspiring points don’t spring from the story like they do with others we have read. Even so, my daughter does like this series of books and was excited to learn Lewis and Clark are part of Sacagawea’s story.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is very hard to find biographies for the youngest readers. This one fills a void but is a little much for 1st graders. I think 2-4th would be a good target age group. I didn't love the illustration of her being this almost comically small girl compared to the normally sized explorers, especially since she's pregnant or carrying a baby through most of the book.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid story - as much biographical information as is readily available, and none of the "unfair" bits were glossed over. Yes, it's for kids - but kids deserve to know that Sacagawea wasn't married by choice, that she didn't have a child or go on the expedition by choice, and that she didn't have a voice until she proved her worth to men who didn't know any better (but should have!).

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the I Am series by Brad Meltzer!

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am Sacagawea is a children's picture book written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. It is a biographical picture book of Sacagawea – a Lemhi Shoshone woman who was notable in helping Lewis and Clark in their expedition.

November, at least in my part of the world is Native American Heritage Month, which I plan to read one children's book, preferably a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.

Sacagawea was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who, at sixteen, met and helped the Lewis and Clark Expedition in achieving their chartered mission objectives by exploring the Louisiana Territory. She traveled with the expedition thousands of miles from North Dakota to the Pacific Ocean and helped establish cultural contacts with Native American populations in addition to her contributions to natural history.

Meltzer's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The narrative is written in simple language and yet spotlights the titular character rather well. Eliopoulos' illustration are a tad cartoonish, but apropos to the narrative and target audience.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The narrative makes it clear that the famed Native American guide of the Lewis and Clark Expedition had a lot of adversity to deal with, beginning with her name, as her real name is unknown and Sacagawea is the name given by captors. The brings to life the titular character and the baby who's her constant companion to life in a series of engaging episodes as she faces many challenges and saves the day more than once.

All in all, I am Sacagawea is a compelling, albeit cursory biography of a historical figure that helped changed American history – Sacagawea.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great first introduction series to nonfiction for children. The text and comic strips make it fun and easy to follow. I love that there is a moral to every story. It's like a history plus moral story point into one. I would still like to read who was Sacagawea? Book series since they tend to have more information and facts in them. Not to say, this series doesn't have facts. The comic strips are more like historic fiction with humor which makes it fun. The moral of this story was Sacagawea was a girl, teenager, the only one with a baby and a native American yet she surpassed their expectation by a long shot.
I learned that Sacagawea spoke two native American languages; one of which her husband knew. He would translate it into french then someone on the crew would translate it into English for Lewis and Clark. It was like whisper down the lane.
I found the part where sacagawea decides to continue on the journey after meeting her borthers tribe powerful. We don't know the reason why, but it's powerful to think that she knew the journey wasn't over and decided to finish it even though she knew it would only get harder. But in the end she gets to see the ocean which is something she never saw before.

[Amanda Kearney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really inspired me. It was about the story of Sacagawea. I think that everyone knows who Sacagawea is, but not everyone knows how incredible she was. When she was only 12, she was taken from her family and everything she knew, and forced to marry a man from another tribe. Her husband was asked to go on the mission out West with Lewis and Clark. So she came and she also brought her baby. Sacajawea was only a teenager at the time and the only girl on the trip. People underestimated her, but she ended up being one of the most important people on the quest. She knew the land because that is where she grew up, and she was able to interpret for Lewis and Clark and speak to the other Indian Tribes. Eventually, she ran into her family that she had been taken away from, but she stayed with Lewis and Clark because the work was not done. Sacagawea is one of the most incredible women in history. She even became the first Native American woman to have her own statue in the U.S. Capitol.
This would be good for any student to read. It is important for students to know that even though they are different from other people, they are still capable of great things.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked to see a modern-day pronunciation of her name. The list of the ways it has been spelled is interesting, but no one has a clear way of pronouncing it today.

I liked the addition of the Shoshoni words, but again pronunciations would be useful. Oh, and that of Charboneau.

I did not know where the picture on the golden dollar came from, so I enjoyed that tidbit.

Also, maybe she stayed with Lewis & Clark because they actually began to see she could help them and really feel useful. With the Shoshoni I hear women were treated pretty poorly. Maybe it was better with the expedition.

I see why some citizens are concerned about having this in schools, but it was the reality at the time, so kids should know about it, just like they should know about Harriet Tubman's or Helen Keller's struggles. That's the point of these books - overcoming difficulties and striving to live daringly and change the world for the better.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one that... it IS non-fiction, but it also isn't.

I need to say that I have not read a lot of accounts/ books of or about Sacagawea. BUT I would definitely say that this was a really humanizing version of her life. It does a good job of opening the conversation about how she was treated-- because of multiple factors of her life-- being Native American, being a teen, being a woman, being a mother. It never condones what people did to her and doesn't shy away from it either.

This particular story makes the illustration style of this series interesting. LOL. The main character is always portrayed as a child... and Sacagawea was a child/teen. She is portrayed as pregnant. She is portrayed with her "husband." They make him look older, but still child-like compared to the other people in the book. An interesting and delicate balance.