Grade:  3-4

Summary:  In 1682, Sieur de La Salle reached the mouth of the Mississippi River. He claimed the river valley and all of the land that touched the rivers that flowed into the Mississippi River for the king of France. He named the land Louisiana.

La Salle's was born in 1643 in Rouen, France. At a young age he thought he would become a priest but changed his mind because he decided he wanted to travel to the New World and the colony of New France. Learning a lot from the Indians in this new land, La Salle then decided to continue his travels and explore. He set out with a group of fourteen men and a few priests.

In 1677, La Salle sailed to France to ask permission to explore the Mississippi River. The King agreed and requested he build forts for the French during his travels. In 1682, La Salle reached the Mississippi River and then the Gulf of Mexico. La Salle went back to France, returning in 1684 with over 300 people to start a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi River—but they could not find it. La Salle's luck turned even worse as many of the colonists died from disease or fighting Indians. Their ships had sunk, so La Salle and some men went in search of help. The men were so angry at their situation that they killed the explorer.

Color illustrations and maps are included. Also, fast facts, a timeline, glossary, further reading and Internet sites.