The big idea of this book is to share the journal entries (including the experiences and thoughts) of a teenager included in the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804/05. I really enjoyed the pace of this book and at times could not put it down. The book broadens readers' perspectives of how challenging daily life, acquisition of food, race and gender distinctions, soldiering, growing up, exploration, heroism could be by reading a young man's thoughts. I felt the language and engagement level were appropriate for third grade and up. For example, journal entries were usually less than one page long. The book seemed believable since it was written in first person. There were appropriate amounts of suspense, tension and conflict especially when interaction with Indians or weather events occurred. One unexpected bonus was the way the reader was challenged to compare the differences in how women, slaves and foreigners were treated during this period of history compared to our present day experiences. I felt this was a valuable read for anyone wishing to broaden their understanding of this particular event in history or this historical period. ( )