Sacagawea

This is a large, beautifully illustrated picture book aimed at ages 6-12 that presents the story of Sacagawea's journey with Louis & Clark in a well-researched, complete, and well-written fashion, with a map at the back of the book for reference. There is an author's note in the front of the book that tells about the name Sacagawea, and an afterward in the back that tells what is known about when and where she died. Other reviewers expressed a desire for more detail about the relationships of the characters. Although those details would be interesting to read in another book, this book does an excellent job of presenting to the 6-12 age group the history of the expedition with a focus on Sacagawea.

If only this story had the texture of the oil paintings, this would have been an excellent book. Instead, there is very little context about Native American (or Indian, if you prefer) life, the relationships among the tribes and the white explorers/invaders, and the Thomas Jefferson's motivation for conquest that motivated and funded the Lewis and Clark expedition. Relationships are mentioned but not explored. How was Sacagawea "given in marriage" to the white fur trapper, was it consensual; for that matter, were such marriages ever consensual? Why did Lewis and Clark have such affection for her son, nicknamed "Pompy," and what was the meaning of the nickname?" Was Sacagawea especially resourceful, or were her talents fairly typical for a female Shoshone? Of course, this is a book for kids, and we can't expect mature psychologically-oriented portrayals. Still, the author aims her book for a somewhat older audience (perhaps older elementary and junior high), and she doesn't spare factual details. What's missing, perhaps, are the kind of details that help an audience identify emotionally with the protagonist. At one point, Sacagawea, as interpreter, attends a meeting with Lewis and Clark and the Shoshone chief: "But when she looked at the face of the Shoshone chief, she burst into tears. He was her brother, Cameahwait! Sacagawea jumped up, threw her blanket over her brother, and wept!Cameahwait was moved, too. But the council had to continue. Though tears kept flooding back. Sacagawea kept to her duty until the council ended." Howver, we don't learn what happened after the council ended. Perhaps no one knows. Still, we are told that something happened when the council was over--why bring it up if it just ends abruptly? THe narrative skips is too episodic, and doesn't delve sufficiently into the personalities (we think, ), or the magnitude of their journey. Still, one does get an appreciation for this skilled and relatively independent woman. At least, we think she is highly independent, since there is no explantion of women's roles. KIdnapped by a rival tribe, forced (or not?) into marriage and a long journey (how many miles and years?), and persuaded (coerced?) into leaving her son with Clark for a white man's education, Sacagawea's is a fascinating story that is not adequately told here. Fortunately, the book's spirited oil paintings, heavy with texture from the painters knife, yet fluid and with pastel chalk shadings draw us into "Sacagawea." There's also a one-page afterward explaining Sacagawea post-Lewis and Clark (the details are conflicting), a somewhat cursory map, a timeline linked to the story's events (rather than other significant dates), and a bibilography for those interesting in learning more. Beautiful and somewhat unusual illustrations by Julie Buffalohead, and an occasionally exciting narrative make this book a satisfactory starting place to about the culture and history of the era.

The paintings (illustrations) are beautiful, they capture the beauty, thoughtfulness and resourcefulness of the main character. They make her the central figure and the white men in the story the are the backdrop, as it should be, as it is a story about a Native American girl. I am rating this book 5 stars solely on the illustrations. The text is written like a history lesson rather than a children's story. The text to me is based on white values - where dates and facts are the main focus. There is just not much story or feeling in the text - it is all in the illustrations.A dog is introduced and then not brought up again except in the illustrations. The text is a little disorienting... it isn't easy to follow. But BUY THIS BOOK!!!! As an adult, I will use the book as a picture book and then read to kids in a paraphrased manner... not making up anything about Sacagawea - but utilizing the illustrations to tell the story and to bring to life this character. The publisher missed a chance here. The illustrations are award winning and the text is plain and dull. Maybe the name Erdrich is well know, but here it did not live up to my standards of what children's stories can/should be.