This book turns the Lewis and Clark expedition into a botanical survival mission by focusing on field journals, indigenous knowledge, and medicinal plants. It treats nature as a puzzle where identifying the correct root is the difference between life and death. Books in this family share a focus on scientific discovery, wilderness survival, and history told through tactile details.
Reach for this book when your child starts showing a deep fascination with the outdoors or asks how people survived in the wilderness before grocery stores and pharmacies. This fascinating narrative blends history and botany, following Meriwether Lewis and William Clark not just as explorers, but as scientific catalogers of the American West. Beyond the famous expedition, the book highlights the critical role of Native American wisdom in identifying edible and medicinal plants, emphasizing themes of cross-cultural collaboration and resourcefulness. It is perfect for children aged 9 to 12 who enjoy nonfiction that feels like an adventure, offering a grounded look at how humans connect with the natural world. Parents will appreciate the way it elevates science and indigenous knowledge alongside historical events.
