The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804 (My Name is America) [Hardcover]

Kathryn Lasky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: My Name Is America

A fictional journal kept by twelve-year-old Augustus Pelletier, the youngest member of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Gus Pelletier, half French, half Omaha Indian, is determined to go with the Corps of Discovery. With all the bravado of a young man on his own for the first time, the scrawny 14-year-old travels parallel to the expedition, not revealing himself until he's confident he will be accepted as a member. His literacy is attributed to education by Catholic priests, but his perspective and voice are not consistently in character. For example, he proudly enthuses about the "naming of America" by the Corps, but with his Native American heritage he would have been aware that there were Indian names for the many places the expedition "discovered." In other instances, he is given greater awareness than is credible for a mixed-heritage frontier lad. Lasky's ample talent is constricted here by the dictum of the series. She uses the inherent drama and well-documented account of Lewis and Clark's journey as the backbone for the story. While Gus brings an engaging young person's perspective to history, it can be jarring when he is inserted into well-known occurrences of the expedition, e.g., having him rescue Sacajawea's baby in the flash flood at the Great Falls of the Missouri. The story is followed by a historical note sketching the outline of the Corps of Discovery journey, complemented by period illustrations and photographs of expedition paraphernalia. It has been noted that this series is historical fiction, not history; this caution seems particularly relevant with The Journal of Augustus Pelletier.
Nancy Collins-Warner, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 171 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc. (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590684892
• ISBN-13: 978-0590684897
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #520,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries

More About the Author

Hi Readers! Thanks for coming by my author page. I've written all sorts of books - from fantasy about animals to books about science. One of my favorite animal fantasy series, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, is a major motion picture. I liked writing about Ga'Hoole so much that I decided to revisit that world in a new series, Wolves of the Beyond. Visit my website, www.kathrynlasky.com to see a slide show about the real wolves I researched for the series and for the latest update on the Guardians of Ga'Hoole movie. All my best, Kathryn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An ok book, but one thing...., February 25, 2005

By 

PianoPlayer8816 (WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804 (My Name is America) (Hardcover)

This book was very exciting and what was good, I enjoyed.

However, there was one thing that I really didn't appreciate.

The use of four-letter words is very abundant in this book. Aside from the fact that I hate that anyway, it's not very accurate. To use words like that in those days, even in a journal, meant a severe punishment if you were caught! I don't think that an author would dare take the risk.

This is supposed to be a kid's book, but I guess its gotten so course nowadays that bad language can even be used there and not be taken offensively.

Parents beware, if you have a no-tolerance policy on language, you might want to read this first before giving it to your children!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheers for Augustus!, November 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804 (My Name is America) (Hardcover)

First of all, the entire "Dear America/My Name is America" series is based on historical journals from a fictional child. To critisize this book because Augustus did not exsist is unfounded. For the past three years, I have read this book aloud to my students to accompany our Lewis & Clark unit. Every class I have read Augustus to, love it! My students have never walked away confused about Lewis & Clark. I recommend Augustus to all children interested in Lewis & Clark!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Had vivid detail but sometimes too much, July 31, 2001

By 

hiphopgirl_1000 - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804 (My Name is America) (Hardcover)

This was a pretty good book about the Lewis and Clark expedition in a young boy's view. However at times the book was a little bit boring because I think the author went in too vivid of detail on things many kids can't understand like me. However I think the adventures they had on the trip was very real like the encounter with the grizzly be Augustus. I recommend this book because it will teach you a lot about the Lewis and Clark Expedition but there will be places that will be hard to understand.