The Story of Sacajawea, Guide to Lewis and Clark

Bibliographic information: 

Rowland, Della.  The Story of Sacajawea, Guide to Lewis and Clark.  Dell Publishing, 1989, illlus. Leonard, Richard, p. 92. 

Brief plot description:

Sacajawea was known by her people the Shoshoni, as Huichu meaning Little Bird.  She lived in the Bitterroot Mountains and her people were a nomadic people.  Sacajawea was captured by the Minnetarees along with one of her friends and taken across the Great Plains.  She was with this tribe for three years before they sold her to a white trapper to be his wife, Toussaint Charbonneau.  In 1804, the Corps of Discovery visited the Minnetaree and Mandan chiefs for an interpreter.  These choose her; her husband would come with her.  Along the way she gave birth to their son.  They made it to the Shoshoni tribe where she was reunited with several people from her childhood.  Clark was taken to see Cameahwait who is Sacajawea’s brother.  The discussions that went on in the tepee went through four translations before Lewis and Clark could understand.  Where else will the corp go? 

Brief review:

I liked this book because it had great information in it.  The book did seem a bit boring as far as a story, but the information was good.  It has illustrations that are in black and white and are sketches that help tell the story.  The book also contains a table of contents and a map of the journey.  I think that this story could be used for fourth through seventh graders.  I think that it could be used as a guide or resource when studying Sacajawea or the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  I would not suggest reading the whole book all the way through unless one is really interested in learning the facts of Sacajawea and the Corp.

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

4^th- 7^th grade

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Sacajawea by Joseph Bruchac

Sky Dancers by Connie Ann Kirk

Awards:

1990 Maine Student Book Master List 

The Double Life of Pocahontas

Bibliographic information: 

Fritz, Jean.  The Double Life of Pocahontas.  Puffin Books, 1983, p. 96.

Brief plot description:

What is the real story of Pocahontas?  Pocahontas lives in the village of Werowocomoco located in Virginia in 1607 and the English set up a fort at Jamestown.  John Smith is taken captive by Pocahontas’ people and she is to save him from death so that her father can get weapons.  The weapons aren’t given to them and they begin to fight each other.  Powhatan plans to kill John, but his first plan fails.  Pocahontas was kidnapped by the settlers who wanted a ransom, but her father doesn’t send enough.  Pocahontas gave up hope and began to listen more to the Christian ways of the Europeans.  John Rolfe also helped Pocahontas be Christianized or Europeanized.  John Rolfe began to have feelings for Pocahontas but he knew he shouldn’t like her.  Finally John decided he wanted to marry Pocahontas.  What does the rest of Pocahontas’ life include?

Brief review:

I really like this book because it tells in detail the life of Pocahontas, the other natives, and the English settlers.  I think that this book could be used for fifth through eighth grade classes.  It would be good to use when talking about Jamestown or other settlements of the United States by Europeans.  This book could be used in a small group or individually.  The main idea of this book is to show how one woman changed the settlers, and how she changed knowing European ways.  The book does include a note, bibliography, and index that will help the reader understand the book and life of Pocahontas.    

Genre label:

Biography

Reading level/interest level:

5^th- 8^th grade

Character names/descriptions:

Pocahontas- 11 years old

Powhatan- Pocahontas’ father

John Smith- 27 years old

Captain Kocoum – 14 years old; marries Pocahontas

John Rolfe- marries Pocahontas

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Sacajawea by Joseph Bruchac

The Navajo by Geraldine Woods

North American Indian: The Hands- On Approach to History by David Hamilton Murdoch

Awards:

Boston Globe/ Horn Book Nonfiction Award, 1984

ALA Notable Book

The Sign of the Beaver

Bibliographic information: 

Speare, Elizabeth George.  The Sign of the Beaver.  Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1983,  p. 135. 

Brief plot description:

Have you ever dreamed of being left alone in the wilderness?  Matt is left alone at the age of twelve in a log cabin in Maine with his father’s watch, rifle, and gunpowder.  Matt helps his father build a one room cabin before his father returns to Quincy, Massachusetts to get his mother and sisters.  A stranger stops by the cabin and he steals the rifle, and a bear steals some food.  While collecting honey, Matt gets attacked by bees and is found in the water by two Indians.  They bring Matt medicine, crutches, and moccasins.  Matt feels that he needs to give them something so he gives Saknis Robinson Crusoe, and teaches them to read.  Attean and Matt spend time fishing and hunting.  Attean teaches Matt several things including making hooks, bow and arrows, and how to hunt.  What will happen with the Indians?  Will Matt’s family return? 

Brief review:

I found that The Sign of the Beaver is a great example of two important things.  First, the book shows that a young boy can learn to adapt and survive in  the wilderness when left alone.  Second, the book shows how Native Americans and settlers can get along with each other when they respect each other.  The book can be used when discussing pioneers, Native Americans, or frontier life.  I think the book could be read by fourth through seventh graders.  This book will appeal to boys because they will be able to connect with Matt and his will to survive.    

Genre label:

Adventure

Reading level/interest level:

4^th- 7^th grade

Character names/descriptions:

Matt- 12 years old

Saknis – Native American; leader of tribe

Attean- Saknis grandson; Native American

Marie – Attean’s sister

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Run Away Home by Patricia McKissack

The Arrow Over the Door by Joseph Bruckac

Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen

Subjects/themes:

Pioneers

Indians

Wilderness

Awards:

Newbery Award

Massachusetts Children’s Book Master List

Kansas William White Master List

Arkansas Charlie May Simon Master List