My Name Is York

by Elizabeth Van Steenwyk

The boats slip into the water at dawn and the journey begins. Some people think we may find monsters out West. But our leaders, Captain Lewis and Captain Clark, say that is an idea for dreamers. There is no room for dreaming on this journey into the unknown. Still, I dream and I carry my dream within me as we begin our quest to find a waterway to the western sea. I dream of finding freedom. My name is York and I am a slave. When the Lewis and Clark expedition launched its search for a water passage to the Pacific Ocean in 1803, a black slave accompanied them. His name was York and in this beautifully illustrated children's book, he tells the tale of this remarkable journey and his own search for freedom. It is an inspiring story of faith, courage, and resolve set against the backdrop of the most famous exploration in American history.

Genres: Picture Books, History, American History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Elizabeth Van Steenwyk is the award-winning author of more than seventy published books for young people. After graduating from Knox College, she went on to spend ten years writing for radio and television with a concentration on children's programming. She lives in California.

Reviews

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story captivated our whole family and we all ache to know more about York and his part in the expedition. Overall it is a light intro into York's story and I'd have enjoyed having more grit in the book.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

York has always been the most fascinating of the Corps of Discovery to me. I was excited to find this book written from his perspective to fit into my Lewis and Clark unit. I was disappointed to find that it glossed over all but the most basic details of the trip and focused squarely on his dream of freedom. Although it is clear in the story that Clark never freed York, it doesn't mention that Lewis pressured Clark to free him until it ruined their friendship. I wish this book had a little more to it.

[Annelisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Please see my other review earlier this year of the Lawrence Pringle book here: American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This one is slightly better in that it's at least written from York's perspective. But the specter of deemphasizing the injustice of slavery as it relates to York's position still hangs over the book. The celebratory attitude towards the Lewis & Clark expedition doesn't help matters, either.

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique perspective of Lewis and Clark’s expedition.

[Kimberly Zavala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. The story of York is fascinating, unfortunately this book made me feel like he was just telling Captain Clark's story.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

i wasn't fond of this book because the character "york" kept bringing up his being a slave and wanting freedom. in the end, after being william clark's tonto, he doesn't get it. dies a slave.

completely real life book, but so depressing!

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful oils on linen paintings illustrate this short picture book about Captain William Clark's slave, a black man named York, as he accompanies the Lewis and Clark expedition.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

york is a slave on lewis and clark expedition. beautiful pics and interesting story, but it doesnt just grab you or make you emotionally invested. good for content tho. includes sacajewea