Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet

Published in 2002 by PowerKids Press, this title is part of the 'Primary Sources of Famous Explorers' series, a collection designed to introduce middle-grade students to the history of North American exploration. The book focuses on the 1673 expedition of Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet, who were the first Europeans to explore and map the northern portion of the Mississippi River. By framing the narrative through the lens of primary source materials, the series aims to help young readers engage directly with historical records rather than relying solely on secondary interpretation.

Jeff Donaldson-Forbes authored this volume as an educational resource, balancing biographical details with the logistical challenges faced by the Jesuit missionary and the fur trader during their journey through the Great Lakes region. The design of the book adheres to the pedagogical standards of the early 2000s, utilizing a clean layout with archival imagery and maps intended to make complex historical geography accessible to a classroom setting. It remains a standard reference work found in many school and public library collections across the United States.