Starred Review for Publishers Weekly (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

In a starred review, <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">PW wrote, "Schanzer ferrets out the kind of details that make for an intelligent and lively rendition of the famous trek. A must-have for anyone with an interest in American history." Ages 8-12. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Mar.)

ALA Booklist

Drawing from the journals of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark for most of the text, this fully illustrated book presents the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific. Schanzer sets the stage with letters between Lewis and Clark, a list of items needed for the journey, and descriptions of some of the original members of the Corps of Discovery, then tells the main story with short excerpts from the travelers' journals. The use of the explorers' words works well. Pithy and sometimes humorous, the text tells of contacts with Native Americans, encounters with wildlife (ticks and fleas as well as buffalo and grizzly bear), and the hardships of the trail. Warm in color and accessible in style, the acrylic paintings have a folk-art inspiration, though a bit more cartoon-like wit than one usually associates with that style. Children unfamiliar with the Lewis and Clark expedition will find this book an engaging introduction to the subject. (Reviewed September 15, 1997)

Horn Book

The story of Lewis and Clark's expedition to the Pacific is related through brief, edited extracts from their journals and the writings of other party members. The cogent text and textured acrylic paintings ably capture highlights of the journey. The color artwork is appealing, save for the unfortunate tendency of granting bears, dogs, and other animals human expressions.

Kirkus Reviews

A simplified version of the diaries of Lewis and Clark; in an introduction, Schanzer explains how she condensed much of the excitement and adventure of the 40 volumes into this one. The book follows the route mapped out on the end papers, beginning with President Jefferson's request that the two explore the west, and ending when Lewis and Clark return two years later to St. Charles (near St. Louis), long after everyone thought they'd died. In that time the two men discovered many new animals and plants, met with Indian tribes, and created new maps of the uncharted territories. Schanzer often breaks up the page into a series of vignettes with captions, effectively covering many of their experiences in a small space. Her drawings include portraits of the members of the expedition and other details that make an already authentic text all the richer. (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-10)"