The Back of Beyond: A Story About Lewis and Clark

by Andy Russell Bowen, Ralph L. Ramstad (Illustrator)

In 1803, Meriwether Lewis was offered the chance of a lifetime. The president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, asked him to lead an expedition across North America, through the Louisiana Territory and Oregon Country to the Pacific Ocean. Lewis jumped at the opportunity and called on his friend William Clark to share in the command of the exploration. The two men organized a small unit of volunteers they called the Corps of Discovery. They had little idea of what dangers lay ahead in the mysterious lands. Would they be attacked by wild animals? Could they survive winter's harsh weather? On May 21, 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition embarked on one of the greatest adventures of all time. they would change the country forever, as they traveled into the Back of Beyond.

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Becky Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lewis and Clark expedition is put into a short story format for readers to follow. Readers are intrigued by this type of presentation since it takes the history and puts it in a reader friendly format instead of a textbook format. The book gives some insight to the human emotions involved in the Lewis and Clark expedition. Readers begin to feel a connection to this story, and they look to other sources for more elaboration. This is a great start to introduce the expedition to readers. The illustrations also make the expedition come to life as a new concept rather than a boring history topic.

[Anndee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this one so that I could talk to my son about Lewis and Clark (and Seaman or Scannon the dog.) I really didn't know much but the basics about this expedition before reading this book. I think I'll try to read more since this one was so short, but a good start.