American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Grade 3–5—Pringle pieces together much of York's story using journals from Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery expedition and other sources. These records attest to York's helpfulness and strength, as well as to the fascination that many Native American groups had for the man, describing him as "big medicine." In an introduction, the author explains that he uses the word "probably" since slaves seldom left the kinds of primary sources that researchers need. He explains that, according to the customs of the time, slave births were not recorded and that York wouldn't have had a choice about joining the expedition. However, he also points out that both York and Sacagawea were allowed to vote on the placement of the group's winter fort, a right granted ahead of its time. Pringle doesn't gloss over Clark's poor treatment of his servant after the journey, placing it in the context of the times while maintaining the strong story line. Large, expressive watercolor illustrations portray York as a vibrant young man and reflect the remarkable landscapes and grueling work of exploration. Pringle tells the story well, describing York's contributions to this specific expedition while setting a much broader context.—Pat Leach, Lincoln City Libraries, NECopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.