The Journal of Augustus Pelletier: The Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1804

This entire series is a wonderful way to learn history or teach it to adolescents. I find today's generations seem to recall more when they learn through other people (pop songs, celebrity gossip, etc.), so what better way to teach history than through someone else's perspective? Yes, "authentic" diaries would be "better", but would the language really hold the modern student's attention? Did the diary writer know what WOULD be important in the context of history? Probably not.

I was slightly disturbed by the fact that a fictional character is turned into a key character on the expedition, but I enjoyed this book nonetheless. We get an idea of what sorts of things Lewis and Clark faced on the trail, and a glimpse of Sacajawea. Our view of her shows a very personal kind of look, which, though conjecture, is endearing.

Eager to strike out on his own, fourteen-year-old Gus joins Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery on their journey from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean as the youngest member of the trip.