School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-5-In this brief biography, Adler decribes how Sacagawea was kidnapped at the age of 10 or 11 by an enemy tribe, was sold as a second wife to a rough white trader and trapper who served as an interpreter on the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific, and assisted the expedition through her quick thinking and ability to communicate with other tribes. Unfortunately, none of the horror of her situation-being captured, her family murdered, her forced marriage-comes through in the straightforward text. Brown's illustrations are often at odds with the historical setting. The art is pure Hollywood, particularly the reunion between Sacajawea and her brother, with the young woman fully made up with lipstick and eye makeup. Faces are static, figures are awkwardly posed, and action scenes lack movement. Young readers may be interested in learning about the remarkable woman who graces the new dollar coin, but this story doesn't do her justice.-Shawn Brommer, Southern Tier Library System, Painted Post, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Probably because there is little known about the Shoshone woman who, as interpreter, food gatherer, and guide, was essential to Lewis and Clark's legendary expedition, Adler's informative narrative seems somewhat detached from its subject. The text is accompanied by earth-toned watercolor illustrations, some of which look stiff. A time line and author's note are included. Bib. From HORN BOOK Fall 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Adler is the author of the wide-ranging and market-savvy Picture Book Biography series that now tops 25 titles. Here he focuses on his first Native American figure, the Shoshone woman Sacagawea, the only woman in the Lewis and Clark Louisiana Purchase "Corps of Discovery." Adler's reliable no-nonsense approach is inclusive enough to satisfy most second- through third-grade biography readers' needs, but those seeking inspiration or validation will need to look elsewhere. Most of the familiar elements of Sacagawea's life are here: the approximate place and date of birth; death of her mother in a raid by a rival tribe; her marriage to a French trapper Charbonneau; joining the expedition with her husband; the birth of her son Jean Baptiste; her ability to communicate with other native peoples; her wide ranging knowledge of edible plants; etc. Unfortunately, Adler's prose style is flat-footed. Even when recounting some of the more interesting bits (the fact that she carried her son on a cradleboard throughout most of the expedition; an unexpected reunion with her brother; how she saved the expedition's medicines in a canoeing accident), the text communicates neither excitement nor pride of purpose. Brown's awkward watercolor art can't rescue this from mundane. The cover and interior depictions of a sweet-faced, pig-tailed adult Sacagawea are greeting-card bland, and most figure groups are awkwardly composed. A barely additional purchase. (Picture book biography. 7-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Gr. 1^-4. From the first simple sentences citing her birth and tribal background to the very last, noting the new dollar coin with her image, this Picture Book biography covers the important known facts about Sacagawea. As is characteristic of this series, the narrative is clear, direct, and never fictionalized. A few dangerous moments are chronicled, but the factual tone is more like an encyclopedia article. The soft watercolor art is more successful in depicting landscapes than human figures; e.g., Sacagawea's facial features appear more European than Native American. A list of important dates, an author's note, and a selected bibliography are appended but there is no pronunciation guide and no map. Brief but competent history for primary social-studies units, this is also recommended for older students with low reading skills. --Linda Perkins