It is 1804—a historic year in America—the year that Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery set out for their now-legendary exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, departing St. Louis to travel across the country to the Pacific Ocean and back.
In this fictionalized biography of the journey based upon the journals of Lewis, Clark, and other members of the team, an unheralded member of the Corps, Seaman, a 150-pound Newfoundland dog, is introduced to young historians. Seaman travels the long journey with the Corps, serving a key role in the expedition’s success, catching and retrieving game, and protecting the expedition team from wild animals and hostile Indians.
Come along with Lewis, Clark, the Corps of Discovery, and Seaman as they meet Sacagawea who joins the expedition, form friendships with several Indian tribes, survive near-death encounters, grizzly bear attacks, and buffalo bull stampedes through the camp, cross the Continental Divide, overcome the wounding of their seemingly fearless leader, Meriwether Lewis, and rejoice as they return to civilization in 1806.
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“Once young readers begin this fictional account of the dog’s role in the expedition, they will be caught up in the drama and action and even reluctant readers will find it just too good to put down. By concentrating on the interaction of the dog with the members of the Corps of Discovery, Karwoski humanizes the men and woman of the expedition…Interwoven with the story is information about protein shortages, problems with vermin and bugs, and the dangers of having an unskilled braggart as a boatsman.”
— School Library Journal
“An effective, fictional introduction to the Lewis and Clark expedition.”
— Booklist“Based on a true story gleaned from period journals, this historical novel dramatizes the story of Seaman….An effective, fictional introduction to the Lewis and Clark expedition.”
— BooklistBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Gail Langer Karwoski is the award-winning author of numerous books for young readers, including Quake! Disaster in San Francisco, 1906. She has written historical novels and nonfiction for kids in grades four through nine, as well as picture books about nature. Curiosity inspires her writing, and research helps her stories grow. Gail taught public school for thirteen years, teaching high school, middle school and elementary school classes in English, reading, and creative writing, as well as gifted classes. When she isn't clicking away on her keyboard, you can often find this former teacher visiting schools and libraries. She lives in Georgia with her university-professor husband and three bossy cats. Gail's grownup kids and granddaughter, Clementine, live in California.
Charles Carroll is an actor and voice-over artist residing in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is an avid film buff and stays active in the local film community.