Best Books on Sacagawea

Sacagawea’s life story has been often misrepresented in fiction, fact, and oral history. The real story is much more interesting. These four books are the ones I have chosen for inclusion in the Top 50 Lewis and Clark Books for adults, and Lewis and Clark for Young Readers.

Top 50 Lewis and Clark Books

Sacagawea’s Child: The Life and Times of Jean-Baptiste (Pomp) Charbonneau by Susan Colby (2005).

The author has thoroughly researched her subject, and presents a fascinating, well written account of Sacagawea and her family, filled with colorful insights. One of the finest books ever written on this time period. It includes many dramatic events and famous personalities of the early American West, beginning with the story of Sacagawea, her husband Toussaint Charbonneau, and their baby as members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It then focuses on the life of their son: Pomp’s adoption by William Clark and subsequent schooling in St Louis; six years exploring Europe with a German prince; years as a mountain man and guide in the Rocky Mountains; scout services for the Mormon Battalion during the Mexican-American War; appointment as a government official at the San Luis Mission north of San Diego after the war; and later years as a prospector for gold and inn keeper of "Murderer’s Inn" during the California Gold Rush. Published in the Western Frontiersmen Series of the Arthur H. Clark Company.

Sacagawea Speaks: Beyond the Shining Mountains with Lewis and Clark by Joyce Badgley Hunsaker (2001)

The book is based on a program presented by one of America’s most respected and popular living history story tellers, Joyce Hunsaker. It is beautifully illustrated, and can be enjoyed for its illustrations as well as its lyrical story telling. It includes extensive notes, Shoshone vocabulary, timeline, and biographies of expedition members. The author is part Indian in her ancestry, and has been honored by several tribes as well as giving performances at the Smithsonian and National Geographic in Washington, DC.

Lewis and Clark Books for Young Readers

Sacagawea by Stack DeKeyser (2004)

Grades 3-6. One of a series of Books About Exploration published by Scholastic. It’s a lovely book with fine illustrations and presents information in a way that will interest young readers.

Sacagawea’s Son: The Life of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau by Marion Tinling (2001)

Suitable for adult readers as well as ages 10 and up. Focuses on Jean Baptiste’s life after the expedition: his travels to Europe and adventures as a mountain man, scout in the Mexican-American War, and gold rush prospector. Well illustrated with photos and historic drawings.

Posted by on 11/10/2006 at 07:23 AM

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