Book excerpt: Discover the origins of European exploration of the Americas. A True Book: American History series allows readers to experience the earliest moments in American history and to discover how these moments helped shape the country that it is today. This series includes an age appropriate (grades 3-5) introduction to curriculum-relevant subjects and a robust resource section that encourages independent study. This book describes the origins of European exploration of the Americas, including the Vikings, the search for a new route to Asia, for gold, and for a Northwest Passage, and discusses the Lewis and Clark Expedition and modern explorers.