The Journey of York: The Unsung Hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

by Hasan Davis, Alleanna Harris (Illustrator)

Overview

Thomas Jefferson's Corps of Discovery included Captains Lewis and Clark and a crew of 28 men to chart a route from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. All the crew but one volunteered for the mission. York, the enslaved man taken on the journey, did not choose to go. Slaves did not have choices. York's contributions to the expedition, however, were invaluable. The captains came to rely on York's judgement, determination, and peacemaking role with the American Indian nations they encountered. But as York's independence and status rose on the journey, the question remained what status he would carry once the expedition was over. This is his story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781543512861
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	08/15/2021
Series:	Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books with 4D Series
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	336,602
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Hasan Davis is an active speaker, trainer, and advocate for justice, education, and diversity initiatives on the local, state, and national levels. His active involvement in the Chautauqua education movement has garnered invitations to present his work at corporations, colleges, historical organizations, schools, prisons, and churches. Based in Kentucky, Hasan strives to build living and learning communities where all people have the opportunity to succeed.

Interviews

Rarely told story of York, the enslaved man who was integral to the Lewis and Clark Expedition;

Editorial Reviews

Children studying Lewis and Clark probably learn about Sacawajea, but is York ever mentioned? I had certainly never heard of him. When President Jefferson called for an expedition and Captains Lewis and Clark recruited able-bodied men as volunteers, one man went along without volunteering; York. Captain Clark's slave. York was never given a choice. . . .Although in picture book format, I'd give this to older elementary students, especially those studying Lewis and Clark, to give them a different and wider perspective on the event. It's too long for a casual read-aloud, but a teacher could read sections aloud in their classroom with, I think, great results. It's well-written and the author thoughtfully discusses the lack of sources. Recommended.

Jean Little Library

This narrative of the Lewis and Clark Expedition is a good introduction to this chapter of American History and provides a unique viewpoint. It would be interesting to compare and contrast other texts in which York was not the principal narrator…

Literature Review PSLA Teaching and Learning

Harris contributes a series of well-composed tableaux, portraying each character with dignity while featuring a variety of American landscapes. A picture book spotlighting York is welcome, and his portrayal here is respectful and sympathetic. . . .this picture book provides a colorful introduction to York, a unique figure in American history.

Booklist

03/01/2019

Gr 3–6—The subject of this outstanding story was the only person on the three-year Lewis and Clark expedition who did not volunteer for the task. As an enslaved man belonging to Captain William Clark known only as "York," the story of this extraordinary member of the party has gone relatively untold. Readers will find a fresh perspective on this exploration through York's unexpected contributions, and despair at his return to bondage at the end of the journey. Indigenous people he interacted with came to trust in him as a communicator. A turning point in his story came when the chief of the Hidatsa, wary of white men, treated York with respect, who he dubbed "Big Medicine." His reputation as a non-white member of the group benefited the explorers, allowing them to be welcomed by a variety of indigenous groups. Readers are treated to a personal perspective on slavery and exploration by an author and illustrator who are #ownvoices. Great care was clearly given to historical accuracy—the expedition interacted with dozens of Native American Nations, and the writing and images reflect respectful research. In addition to a compelling story with bold illustrations, endnotes reveal careful consultation with historical experts. VERDICT This will be a great addition to collections where students are required to study explorers, but the story is gripping enough to become a welcome component of a rich nonfiction collection.—Deidre Winterhalter, Oak Park Public Library, IL

School Library Journal

2018-10-15

York was the only man who set out with Lewis and Clark on their journey of exploration who did not volunteer. As William Clark's enslaved manservant and the only nonwhite member, he didn't have the choice.

In a series of brief, dated snapshots, York narrates the story of the expedition from his embarkation from Louisville in 1803 to the eve of their departure from the Oregon coast in 1806. In between, he covers incidents both oft-told (Sacagawea's joining the party at Fort Mandan; the geographical challenges met) and rarely heard (Clark's use of York to impress Native peoples; York's inclusion in the vote on the decision to site their final winter camp). Davis imagines York's feelings as he navigates his role as both enslaved African-American man and almost-full member of the expedition, narrating in a stiff voice that emulates 19th-century prose and also captures the stress of life as a second-class citizen: "After that vote…I worked as hard as any three men. Capt. Clark said that I ‘pushed my body to exhaustion.' I just wanted to show the others how much I deserved that vote." Harris' illustrations also evoke the flat, primitive style of much 19th-century painting. Compositions frequently place York at the margins or in the shadows, underscoring the fact that he was not a full member of the party. A closing author's note contextualizes and complicates his legacy.

An important, underheard voice. (glossary) (Picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews