Lewis and Clark Reading List

One of our projects in school this semester is to create a thematic unit. My theme is Lewis and Clark which just happens to be a gold mine when it comes to easily accessible quality material. Below I am providing an annotated bibliography of books and websites I found valuable in preparing the thematic unit. The books appeal to a wide range of reading levels because even though Lewis and Clark is taught in fifth grade, not all students may be reading at that level. Also, picture books provide, well, pictures, to help the students visualize the events.

Adler, D. A. (2000). A picture book of Lewis and Clark. New York: Holiday House.

This book tells some of the background of Lewis and Clark and why they were chosen to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. The story highlights the adventures and perils of their expedition across America searching for a Northwest Passage to the Atlantic Ocean.

Adler, D. A. (2000). A picture book of Sacagawea. New York: Holiday House.

This is the story of Sacagawea, her childhood, and her contributions to the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Hunsaker, J. B.. (2003). They call me Sacagawea. Guildford, CN: The Globe

Perquot Press.

This book is a biography of Sacagawea, it includes her role with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but also goes beyond to her personal life. Pictures and artifacts from her Native American life are given with explanations for their uses.

Kozar, R. (2000). Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the Louisiana purchase. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers.

This nonfiction book outlines various aspects of the expedition of Lewis and Clark. It covers the purposes of the expedition: mapping, documenting the plants and animals indigenous to the new area, and making friends with the Indians.

Kroll, S. (1994). Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the American west. New York: Holiday House.

Steven Kroll gives an accounting of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He tells of their adventures, discoveries, and encounters with Native American Indian tribes as they explore the newly purchased Louisiana.

Lasky, K. (2000). The journal of Augustus Pelletier. New York: Scholastic Inc.

This historical fiction book, gives an account of the Lewis and Clark expedition through journal entries written from the perspective of a teenage boy.

Perritano, J. (2010). The Lewis and Clark expedition. New York: Children’s Press.

This book chronicles the highlights of the Lewis and Clark expedition across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean in 1804. It includes a glossary and additional resources at the end for readers seeking additional information.

Quiri, P. R. (2001). The Lewis and Clark expedition. Minneapolis, MN: Compass Point Books.

A non-fiction account of The Lewis and Clark expedition across the western United States to explore the Louisiana Purchase in search of a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Photographs and drawings are included to support the readers understanding of this epic adventure. The book includes a glossary, websites, and other resources for additional information.

For the Teacher:

Hoxie, F.E. & Nelson, J.T. (Eds.). (2007) Lewis & Clark and the Indian country; The native American perspective. Chicago: University of Illinois Press.

This book takes a look at the some of the History of Native American tribes and how they looked at the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Jones, L. Y. (Ed.). (2000). The essential Lewis and Clark. New York, NY: The Ecco Press.

This is a compilation of journal entries from Lewis and Clark during their trek through the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. The journals give personal insight into their discoveries, achievements, and obstacles as they led the Corps of Engineers on an expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

Karwoski, G. L. (1999). Seaman: The dog who explored the west with Lewis and Clark. Atlanta: Peachtree.

This book, about the adventures of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, is told from Lewis’s dog’s point of view.

It is written at an adult level. It would make a good read-aloud for an upper elementary class.

.

Schanzer, R. (1997). How we crossed the west: The adventures of Lewis & Clark.

Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

This book gives an account of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through brief “journal” entries. The illustrations are a significant part of the book.

Resources:

Blumberg, R. (2004) York’s adventures with Lewis and Clark. New York: HarperCollins.

This books gives information about York, Lewis’s slave who accompanied him across America to explore the Louisiana Purchase and seek for the Northwest Passage.

It highlights the difference between the way white freemen were treated on this expedition and the way York was treated. It gives an account of his contributions to the journey.

Blumberg, Rhoda. (1987). The incredible journey of Lewis and Clark. New York: Lothrop, Lee and Shepard Books.

This book tells of the Lewis and Clark expedition across the newly purchased Louisiana Territory to the Pacific Ocean in search of the Northwest Passage. The author includes sketches and illustrations from multiple resources for readers to gain an authenitic understanding of situations and events that faced Lewis and Clark along their journey. Although technically considered juvenile fiction, I placed it under resources because I believe this is how students would use it.

Patent, D. H. (2003). Plants on the trail with Lewis and Clark. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

This book tells the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, focusing on the plants they discovered along the trail. William Munoz provides valuable photographs to enrich the reader’s experience.

Patent, D. H. (2002). Animals on the trail with Lewis and Clark. New York,

NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

This book tells the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, focusing on the animals they discovered along the trail. William Munoz provides valuable photographs to enrich the reader’s experience.

Websites:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/

National Geographic provides detailed accounts of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is broken down by a variety of purposes (discoveries, interactions with Native Americans, geography, etc.) as well as told in sequential order. It includes lesson plans and interactive activities for students. Of course, National Graphic includes photos and illustrations to bring the story to life.

http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/

PBS provides detailed accounts of the Lewis and Clark expedition across the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. They include detailed information about their adventure across America as well as providing a list of credible additional resources available. They also provide lesson plans and interactive activities for students.

http://www.mt.net/~rojomo/landc.htm

This website contains the letter written by President Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, asking him to explore the newly purchased Louisiana Territory. In it, he gives Meriwether specific instructions on what he is expected to accomplish during his expedition.

The website also gives brief summaries of some of the highlights of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

http://www.lewis-clark.org/

This website provides in-depth studies and information about the Lewis and Clark expedition. It includes maps and background information about geography, Indian Tribes etc. that Lewis and Clark encountered on their journey.