I will admit I didn't get too far. I did get far enough to feel that Wolf's attempts to make each character's voice unique failed - it was like a bad vaudeville act with one person being the king, and the princess, and the knight, and the dragon. And it seemed like it was developing into a kind of fairy tale in other ways. Wolf seems to admire these people so much he mythologizes them, even reveres some of them.

So, when I skipped to the appendices and read that he admits to taking liberties with facts and also molding characters' personalities to suit the narrative, I gave up. I really wanted to like it, as I've been starting to explore the history of the quest, and as I do like YA novels told in verse from different points of view, but I just couldn't.

I don't feel comfortable saying I read enough to rate it, but, based on what I did investigate, I'm guessing it's worth 2 stars. Maybe.

This book did such a great job of incorporating so many historical details with characters that were so unique and really came to life. This book is writing in poetry format from the point of view of 14 different members of the Corp of Discovery. The story was lively and really tied itself up nicely with a satisfying, yet sometimes sad, ending. I think this is an excellent book to read when studying the Lewis and Clark expedition in history. ( )

This book did such a great job of incorporating so many historical details with characters that were so unique and really came to life. This book is writing in poetry format from the point of view of 14 different members of the Corp of Discovery. The story was lively and really tied itself up nicely with a satisfying, yet sometimes sad, ending. I think this is an excellent book to read when studying the Lewis and Clark expedition in history. ( )

After listening to Allan Wolf's wonderful The Watch That Ends the Night, about the Titanic, I ordered a copy of his now-out-of-print New Found Land, a similar novel-in-(free-)verse, but this time about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Like the former, New Found Land uses the alternating voices of twelve members of the Corps of Discovery, as well as President Jefferson and Lewis' dog Seaman, to narrate the story.

While not packing quite the emotional punch of the tragedy of the Titanic, this was still a wonderful read. The title is a play on words, as Seaman was of the Newfoundland breed. He is the omniscient narrator in this book, and is called Oolum, supposedly his private or "true" name. And like The Watch, I found myself most drawn to the less-famous characters, such as young George Shannon and carpenter Patrick Gass. Quotations from the letters and journal entries of Meriweather Lewis and William Clark are used in many cases for their voicings. Maps at the beginning of each of the seven sections of the book help orient the reader to the locations mentioned in the novel.

As with The Watch, Wolf did extensive research for this novel, documented in 22 pages at the end of the book, including what became of his 14 narrators. His website also includes a curriculum guide. Due to the length of the book (478 pages without the notes at the end), I think it would be most appropriate for older students, although the free verse used in most of the novel makes it easier to read than most books of this length.

© Amanda Pape - 2013

[I purchased this book and will be adding it to my university library's collection.] ( )

A great work of historical fiction that chronicles the voyage from the perspectives of many members of the expedition. Although the dialogue may be fictitous, the author researched the lives of the characters to bring about this detailed work. This book is marketed for children, but may not be appealing to reluctant readers due to the length of the book. I would only recommend it to those serious readers who are interested in historical works. ( )