Sacagawea [Hardcover]

Judith St. George (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

If it had not been for President Thomas Jefferson, Sacagawea would have lived out her life in the wilderness as the unknown Shoshone wife of a French-Canadian fur trapper. But in 1803 Jefferson ordered Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to find a route from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, and to gather information about the Indians they encountered. In a village on the Missouri River, Lewis and Clark met Sacagawea, the young woman who would travel with them on their historic Journey of Discovery.

With her husband and her infant son, Sacagawea accompanied Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery as they braved rapids, blizzards, hunger, illness, grizzly bears and hostile Indians. She found them roots and berries to eat, helped them negotiate for horses, and explained their peaceful intentions to the tribes they met along the way. When they finally reached the Pacific, Sacagawea shared in their triumph.

Using the journals of Lewis, Clark and other members of the expedition, award-winning author Judith St. George brings to life the story of this remarkable woman and her contribution to one of America's great journeys of exploration.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?A biography of Sacagawea from the time she was captured by the Minnetaree through 1806, when Lewis and Clark left for home. St. George draws heavily from the journals of Lewis, Clark, and various members of their Corps of Discovery, thus giving readers a good overview of their historic journey as well. As she did in Crazy Horse (1994) and To See with the Heart (1996, both Putnam), the author offers a portrait of a Native American in which her admiration for the individual colors her writing. The inclusion of Sacagawea's assumed reactions and emotions to events (which St. George clearly acknowledges in the introduction) seems awkward, and even condescending at times. For example, the metaphorical play on her name, which means Bird Woman, seems overdone. (In other words, "she had been given wings.") Nonetheless, the book is a well-researched, readable biography. Those seeking additional information on this expedition will find the extensive bibliography useful.?Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. In a well-written and well-researched account, St. George humanizes her subject by revealing what she imagines Sacagawea's thoughts and emotions were during Lewis and Clark's 5,000-mile Journey of Discovery. Adventure lovers will find much to like in the book: attacking grizzlies, dangerous rapids, hostile Indians, and mysterious illnesses with unusual cures. But children will also learn details about an important historical event and get a glimpse of Native American life in the early 1800s. Overall, this is an enjoyable read and a pleasant way to incorporate history and social studies into a literature program, or vice versa. The extensive bibliography will be a helpful research aid. An alternative for youngsters with reading disabilities is Raphael and Bolognese's Sacajawea: The Journey West (1995), from the Drawing America series. Lauren Peterson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (September 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399231617
• ISBN-13: 978-0399231612
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #573,368 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Exploration & Discoveries

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars spectacular, January 30, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sacagawea (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. I especially liked the exciting parts like when Sacagawea and Pomp almost died. I also liked the part when the bears attacked them. I hope I will find another book as exciting as this one!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars please review THIS book!, November 17, 2004

By 

Anne B. Bremer (Appleton, WI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sacagawea: Girl of the Shining Mountains (Paperback)

The reviews on this page appear to be based on another book, by Judith St. George; not on Peter and Connie Roop's book. I know them and their work, and neither one uses the "St. George" nom de plume!

8 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sacagewea - an inspiring tale, June 15, 2000

By 

penny schwartz (Medford, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sacagawea (Hardcover)

Sacagawea by Judith St. Martin is a well-written historical novel for older children and young adults filled with rich descriptions and characters. Judith St. Martin, a noted children's biographer, used Lewis and Clarks' journals and other original material to tell a good story. My eight and a half year-old daughter says the book really inspired her. It made her think about what it would be like if she lived during Sacagewea's time and traveled with Lewis and Clark, who became her companions. The book is informative and best of all it has that 5 star quality: it makes you wonder and want to know more! We learned that Sacagewea means bird woman. Illustrated maps tracing the Lewis and Clark trail are helpful. My daughter adds that this book is an excellent choice for anybody who likes to stop and think about adventures and people who have made remarkable contributions to our world. This is the opening of a poem she wrote after reading the book. "One day in Shoshone land, an Indian girl was picking berries with her friend. Then a cloud of dust appeared, they knew what that meant. For they feared the white men would come after them." The poem concludes, "We still remember Sacagawea today. My heroine forever, forever and always." The book may inspire you to write about one of your heroes or heroines.