Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities (For Kids series) [Paperback]

Janis Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: For Kids series

Following Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery as they navigate the muddy Missouri River and begin a great adventure, this activity book is set against the background of the vast North American continent. It takes children from President Jefferson’s vision of an exploratory mission across a continent full of unique plants and animals through their dangerous and challenging journey into the unknown to the expedition’s triumphant return to the frontier town of St. Louis. Twenty-one activities bring to life the Native American tribes they encountered, the plants and animals they discovered, and the camping and navigating techniques they used. A glossary of terms and listings of Lewis and Clark sites, museums, and related websites round out this comprehensive activity book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A good choice for young history buffs."  —The Chicago Tribune

"Just about the best book on the subject for young children."  —Statesman Journal

"Lively and informative."  —Albemarle

"Marvelous."  —The Independent

"A valuable trip into the past...an adventure almost good as being there two hundred years ago!"  —The Kaleidoscope

About the Author

Janis Herbert is the author of The American Revolution for Kids, The Civil War for Kids, Leonardo da Vinci for Kids, and Marco Polo for Kids.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; 1st edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556523742
• ISBN-13: 978-1556523748
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #95,169 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Children's Books > History > Exploration & Discovery
  • #49 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1800s

More About the Author

I love history! And I hope my books will inspire kids to feel the same way. Find out more about me and my award-winning books at www.janisherbertforkids.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She does it again!, July 28, 2000

By 

bert1761 (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

Following her "Leonardo da Vinci for Kids" and "The Civil War for Kids," Janis Herbert has produced another interesting and informative history lesson for children. Although less sumptuously illustrated than her two earlier books, this book is nevertheless as interesting to look at as it is to read and to engage in the entertaining and educational activities that help children appreciate the bravery of Lewis and Clark as well as what life in the early days of our country was like. (And they can also learn a lot about who that woman on the new dollar coin is :-))

WARNING: amazon.com currently shows this book as being for children ages 4 - 8. This book is written for children aged 9 and above.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid history, July 17, 2001

By 

Peaseblossom (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

This is a good history for kids. The text is interesting and exciting; this would be an enjoyable supplement to history lessons in grades 4-8. The activities are a fair assortment; (though be warned! Putting red food dye, even mixed with cold cream, on your skin will leave a mark for several days.)

Oddly enough, though there is a map showing the expedition's trail, there is no map showing the Louisiana Purchase. The trail map uses only a current map of the U.S. The book should provide a map of the U.S. in 1803.

Herbert does a fair job of putting issues in their historical perspective, without interpreting events in the light of modern sensibilities. For example, she says that Clark's slave York became a member of the expedition (I wonder if the Corps of Discovery considered him a member?), and merely notes at the conclusion that he was not rewarded with a land grant because he was a slave. She carefully avoids evaluating events by modern political correctness, while still giving a sense of the excitement, danger, and wonder of the journey.

However, classroom teachers and homeschooling parents will want to discuss slavery and racism with their students. Sacagawea's contributions to the expedition were enormous, but she obviously never received the recognition and rewards the white members of the expedition did.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Four stars and a half!, April 2, 2002

By 

Laura Brown McKenzie (On a mountain in AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lewis and Clark for Kids: Their Journey of Discovery with 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

I would have given this book five stars if there had been just a few more activities in it.

The book reads as non-fiction literature and is interspersed with good photos and interesting sidebars. There are also some useful activities for the child to do within the text to reinforce what is learned.

This book would be useful for all grades but can be read independently in the middle school grades. The book contains a glossary, index, web site suggestions, bibliography, listings of museums and parks and other handy references.