Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale [Hardcover]

Laurie Myers (Author), Michael Dooling (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Lewis & Clark Expedition

A dog's account of one of the most extraordinary expeditions of all time.

"Dog and man can fit together like no others do. Lewis and I had that fit....

How did we get that close? I think the wilderness had something to do with it. Lewis and I would have been close anywhere, but the wilderness brought out the best in both of us. We were made for that territory."

In 1803, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set off on a journey to explore the vast territory of the United States west of the Mississippi River. Accompanying Lewis and Clark and their team of explorers through this uncharted wilderness was Lewis' dog Seaman.

Lewis and Clark and Me is Seaman's story. From his first meeting with Lewis, to being mistaken for a bear by Indians who had never seen such a large dog, to his encounters with wild animals both familiar and unfamiliar, Seaman's tales are filled with the joys of companionship and the tingling excitement of adventure.

Seaman's stories are based information provided in the explorers' journals. The book include many of these direct quotes from the original text as well as a detailed map showing the highlights of this amazing expedition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Meriwether Lewis's dog Seaman serves as narrator for a fictionalized account of Lewis and William Clark's 1803-1806 journey from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean in Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale by Laurie Myers, illus. by Michael Dooling. Excerpts from Lewis's journals close each chapter, supplying the historical basis for the dog's adventures. Handsome silhouettes ornament the chapter openers, while numerous oil paintings enliven the pages. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-Seaman, a highly intelligent and sensitive dog that accompanied the Corps of Discovery, introduces youngsters to this exciting epic of United States history. The chapters are based on accounts in Lewis's journals, from which a relevant quote closes each fictional episode. The focus is on the canine's encounters with other animals: squirrels, bear, buffalo, beaver. Myers is a dog lover, and that respect comes through in the dignified portrayal of Seaman. Attractive, realistic paintings illustrate the book, giving a feel for the period and, most importantly, a visual personality to Seaman. This title is different in focus, and for a younger age group, than Gail Langer Karwoski's Seaman (Peachtree, 1999) and more readable than Roland Smith's The Captain's Dog (Harcourt, 1999).
Nancy Collins-Warner, Neill Public Library, Pullman, WA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805063684
• ISBN-13: 978-0805063684
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries

More About the Author

Laurie Myers is the award-winning author of chapter books for children, including Surviving Brick Johnson, an ALA Notable book, and Lewis and Clark and Me, winner of the Pennsylvania Children's book award and Honor book for Michigan. Her books have been on the International Reading Association's Children's Choice, Teachers' Choice and Parents' Choice lists, as well as Junior Library Guild selection and many state master lists and nominations for the Crown Award.

She has collaborated with her sister, Betsy Duffey and her mother Betsy Byars on several popular books, which have been nominated for state awards and won the Louisiana and South Carolina children's book awards.

She lives in Augusta, Georgia with her husband, their dog, Samson and their cat, Venus.

www.lauriemyers.com
www.writingsisters.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kelly's reveiw, February 9, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale (Hardcover)

Lewis and Clark and Me by Laurie Myers is an awesome book! The book shows the adventures of Lewis and Clark from Lewis's dog Seaman's point of view. The story takes place from November 16,1803 to September 11,1803. The book goes threw many months.

Lewis and Clark are two adventurous men who like to help other people. Seaman is a loyal and helpful dog who loves to hunt. Lewis dresses different than any other man, Clark is a tall man with a low voice, and Seaman is a large black dog with a low but loud bark and growl. Their hobbies are hunting and sailing. Seaman can jump off the boat and bring back dead animals for them to eat. Lewis and Clark are from saint Britton. They are middle aged and Seaman is about five.

This is Seaman's story from his first meeting with Lewis to being mistaken for a bear by some Indians. The story starts when Lewis buys Seaman for 20 dallers. One time a baby calf followed Lewis but couldn't get up the boat ladder so they left him behind. Suddenly that felt very funny to Seaman. Imagine a buffalo calf thinking it could be part of our lives. My favorite part of the story is when a beaver bites Seaman. In order to find out what happens next you have to read the book!

I gave this book 5 stars because it is very interesting. It had a lot of detail and action. This book is remarkable! I loved it! I think everyone should read it. The author Laurie Myers is one of my favorite authors because she loves dogs. I like how she gives you a lot of detail. The illustrator Michael Dooling never leaves a blank spot in the pictures. The pictures are very realistic. I would recommend this book to everyone because it is very exiting. In order to prove that you have to read the book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History through a dog's eyes, October 14, 2004

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale (Hardcover)

The first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful design of this book. The size, the cover design, and the gorgeous illustrations make this book a delight to hold in your hand. The story is told by Seaman, the Newfoundland dog who accompanied the Corps of Discovery on their journey across the continent. Seaman's story is echoed in entries from Meriwether Lewis's journals.

The book is not long; at 64 pages it would make a great read aloud. I loved the story where Seaman is dubbed a "bear-dog" by the Indians. His nearly fatal encounter with a wounded beaver is very exciting and invests the reader emotionally in the story.

This book is not a history of the expedition but would be a wonderful introduction to the Lewis and Clark journey. Sacagawea and York are part of the dog's story but Lewis is the center of Seaman's world.

The book would not be the same with out the rich paintings by Michael Dooling. Dooling is one of the best "realistic" illustrators working today. His painting of Seaman and Lewis looking out over the Pacific captures the sense of the entire expedition. We see them from behind looking toward the future of a new land, open and wild, with more to discover.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Suprising Seaman by:JPD grade5, December 16, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog's Tale (Hardcover)

This stunninng book is about a gentle, unique, imprissively large dog named Seaman. This enormous dog was sold to Meriwether Lewis to take on his expodiation. Together,Lewis and Seaman explored the West. They fit together like a door in a doorway. Their friendship was rare. While they explored, they met Indians. The Indains called Seaman, 'Bear-dog.' This phenaminal book is for readers on a 3rd to 5th grade reading level.