The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe [Hardcover]

Roland Smith (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Born the runt of his litter and gambled away to a rusty old riverman, the Newfoundland pup Seaman doesn’t imagine his life will be marked by any kind of glory--beyond chasing down rats. But when he meets Captain Meriwether Lewis, Seaman finds himself on a path that will make history. Lewis is just setting off on his landmark search for the Northwest Passage, and he takes Seaman along. Sharing the curiosity and strength of spirit of his new master, Seaman proves himself a valuable companion at every turn. Part history, part science--and adventure through and through--The Captain’s Dog is the carefully researched, thrilling tale of America’s greatest journey of discovery, as seen through the keen, compassionate eyes of a remarkable dog.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In addition to Girl of the Shining Mountains (reviewed above), which gives Sacagawea's perspective on Lewis and Clark's exploration, Smith's (Thunder Cave; Jaguar) historical novel imagines the duo's epic 1804-1806 journey through the eyes of Captain Lewis's Newfoundland dog, Seaman. The novel opens in 1808, when two former members of the expedition discover Seaman living with Nez Perce Indians; one of them presents the pair with Lewis's red-leather journal, rescued by Seaman. This opening framework may be mechanical, but the novel eventually hits its stride: as the traders read aloud the entries (actual text from Lewis's journals), they trigger Seaman's flashbacks. The canine's perspective, both fresh and original, is most effective in objectively relating a diverse array of customs and tribes. The narration strikes a note of humor, too, especially when Seaman offers insight into a dog's life: "Dogs know humans better than they will ever know us." Seaman's voice, however, does not adhere to a canine purview as cannily as Henrietta Branford's recent Fire, Bed and Bone, and the narrative occasionally lapses into admonishment (e.g., when Lewis berates himself for his failed iron boat scheme, Seaman mentally recounts the man's resume of accomplishments). An author's note offers little historical perspective on the expedition, but readers may well leave with a thirst for more of Lewis and Clark's adventures. Ages 10-up. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grade 5-8-This is the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition as witnessed by Seaman, the massive Newfoundland dog that accompanied the two captains. Faithful to their original diaries, the novel brings to life the day-to-day challenges faced by the team charged with the task of exploring the American West and searching for the legendary Northwest Passage. Action and adventure abound: frequent attacks by grizzly bears and voracious mosquitoes, arduous crossings of nearly impassable landscapes, mutiny and desertion, and close encounters with both friendly and hostile Indians. However, while Seaman's narration is inventive, Smith has difficulty sustaining it, mainly because the dog is such a minor player in the momentous events that he describes. His point of view often seems too omniscient and introspective, resulting in a narrative that sounds uncomfortably human. Only when he recalls a purely canine memory such as marking trees does he snap readers back to the realization that this storyteller is indeed four-legged. Still, this occasional awkwardness does not diminish the scope and power of this entertaining introduction to an episode of American history rarely celebrated in fiction. For another novel about Seaman and his role in the expedition, look to Gail Langer Karwoski's Seaman (Peachtree, 1999), a lively account in which this brave animal is a much more central character.
William McLoughlin, Brookside School, Worthington, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1st edition (October 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152019898
• ISBN-13: 978-0152019891
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,956,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roland Smith is a former zookeeper and leading expert on red wolves as well as an author. He lives on a small farm near Portland, Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid historical fiction plus fun, April 22, 2000

By 

Julie Sprague (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe (Hardcover)

I thouroughly enjoyed The Captain's Dog and felt the voice of Seaman gave the novel an added flair. Many times I was so lost in the story, I forgot Seaman was a dog. I especially like this novel because it lays a strong foundation for further research into the adventures of Lewis and Clark. Readers get to meet and know so many interesting characters. The characterization of Captain Lewis is so complete I felt as if he was an old friend. I laughed and cried when reading this novel. It has heart, adventure, and a little bit of mystery. The descriptive details give evidence to the extensive research which must have gone into writing this novel. Bravo, Roland Smith! How about a new historical novel about merchant seaman or pirates. Perhaps Seaman could come along as well.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Captain's Dog: Seaman's adventures, April 14, 2000

By 

Dennis Parent (Hayden, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe (Hardcover)

The Captain's Dog is a good choice for a young reader who likes dogs and adventure. And it is also great for a subtle education about early western history. The story is told from the dog's perspective. Although fictional in nature, the history is accurate, the story could actually have happened, and it is believable. The point of view of the story may be somewhat difficult for a young person under 12 years old to follow because it comes from three perspectives. Each chapter opens with two men who went with the Lewis & Clark expedition reminiscing about the journey. They read from one of Lewis' diaries. Then Seaman, the dog, starts remembering and thinking of his adventures on the trip which takes up most of the chapter. Not being able to follow the change in narrator does not take anything away from the story, however. The chapters are short, the story moves along pretty well, and the reading appears to be at about a 4th to 6th grade level. The Captain's Dog is a perfect gift for the child or young boy or girl who likes to read, appreciates animals, and has a hankering for adventure and fun. I think it would be popular for Jr. High School students also.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful historical fiction on Lewis and Clark Expedition!, August 6, 2001

By 

riofriotex (Texas, where else?) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Captain's Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe (Hardcover)

What an enjoyable way to learn about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, from the perspective of a dog! The Captains Dog is Seaman, a Newfoundland dog that belonged to Captain Meriwether Lewis. Seaman accompanied him and Captain William Clark and their Corps of Discovery on the search for the overland water route to the Pacific in the early 1800s. Here, Roland Smith's historical fiction is thoroughly researched and credible. Through Seaman, we meet many fascinating characters, experience the journeys hazards, and get an ingenious feel for what life in the Corps was like from the inside. Readers will enjoy the typical doglike behavior displayed by Seaman, such as marking his territory and sniffing out animals and humans from miles away. He is curious and courageous, as all fine explorers should be. Each chapter is told from three perspectives, using people who knew or accompanied Lewis and Clark speaking in third person, then reading excerpts from Lewis personal diary, followed by Seaman recalling his adventures and observations in first person. The changes in viewpoint and lack of illustrations might make this book difficult for younger readers. I would recommend it for fifth grade reading level and up, especially as a great introduction or supplement for students studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition.