Despite All Obstacles: La Salle and the Conquest of the Mississippi (Great Explorers)
Books for Young Explorers Series
What’s inside...
A biography of Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, an explorer who traversed the St. Lawrence, Ohio, Illinois, and Mississippi rivers, and claimed America's heartland for King Louis XIV and France. The book details his journeys from Eastern Canada to the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, through dense wilderness and against the powerful Iroquois. Despite receiving no support from King Louis XIV in terms of protection, men, or money, La Salle's determination led him to overcome numerous setbacks. He dealt with desertions, formed alliances with rival tribes, and found new financial support after losing a ship laden with furs. The biography highlights La Salle's relentless spirit and his significant contributions to the exploration of North America.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-13
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur De La Salle
Henri De Tonti
Discussion points
What do you think motivated La Salle to explore the Mississippi River, and would you have made the same decision?
How did the obstacles La Salle faced change the way he approached his goals?
What can we learn from La Salle’s journey about dealing with challenges in our own lives?
How do you think teamwork played a role in La Salle's expeditions?
If you were an explorer, what new place would you like to discover and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the hardships faced by explorers like La Salle, and relate those to challenges they face in everyday life.
Discuss the concept of perseverance shown in the book, and ask your child about a time they persevered through something difficult.
Highlight teamwork and ask your child about times they had to work with others to achieve a goal, just like La Salle relied on his crew.
Use a globe or map to trace La Salle’s journey, making the journey more tangible and engaging for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: The story of La Salle's relentless quest to explore the Mississippi River, despite numerous setbacks, highlights the virtue of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist with their goals, whether it's finishing a difficult school project or learning a new skill, despite encountering challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: La Salle's expedition relied heavily on teamwork, demonstrating how cooperation and collaboration were vital for success.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in group settings at school or during team sports, appreciating each team member's contributions.
Example Lesson: Courage to explore new horizons
Explanation: La Salle's journey into unknown territories exemplifies the courage required to explore new ideas and places.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be curious and adventurous, exploring new subjects or places with enthusiasm and bravery.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the expedition, La Salle and his crew faced and overcame multiple unforeseen difficulties, honing their problem-solving abilities.
Real-World Application: This narrative can inspire children to develop problem-solving skills in their daily lives, learning to address and find solutions to various obstacles.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: La Salle's expedition was not without errors; the narrative candidly portrays mistakes made and the lessons learned from them.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of learning from their mistakes and viewing them as opportunities for growth and improvement.