Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog [Hardcover]

Elisa Carbone (Author), Earl B. Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

It's 1838, and James has made a secret plan to escape Master Graham’s farm–and slavery. James tells his dog Zeus he has to stay behind: he’s simply too noisy to bring along on a dangerous nighttime journey. But when two white men capture James soon after he runs, he’s grateful his faithful hunting dog didn’t obey. Zeus has followed behind, and the scrappy hound rescues James from his captors. An author’s note describes the real life inspiration behind the book: James Smith, a slave who escaped with the help of his dog and went on to become a farmer and Baptist minister.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A boy and dog help each other to freedom in this slave escape tale, which is based on a true story. Young James sadly orders hunting dog Zeus to stay behind while he slips away, but Zeus will hear none of it. Good thing, too, for it’s Zeus that comes to the rescue when men try to nab James in the woods, when the slave catcher’s dogs attack, and when the old canoe in which James tries to cross the Ohio River sinks. Lewis illustrates the flight in impressionistic, full-page or full-bleed scenes that add both detail and incidents to Carbone’s pared-down text to help create a smooth narrative flow. When the Quaker farmer on the free side welcomes the lad but tries to drive the dog away, it’s James’ turn to stand up for a friend, and the two are last seen bedded down companionably together in the man’s barn. Grades 2-4. --John Peters

Review

Starred Review, School Library Journal, January 2008:
"A vividly realized narrative, based on a true story."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (January 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037582247X
• ISBN-13: 978-0375822476
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.4 x 11.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story about a very brave boy and his dog, September 30, 2008

By 

Mom Of 2 QTees (New England, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog (Hardcover)

This is a touching book based in truth about a boy slave who decides to run away and the obstacles that he encounters. He is accompanied and helped by his trustworthy dog. The boy appreciates how his dog has helped him and becomes devoted to the dog which could have prevented him from getting a hot meal after his escape.

This story is illustrated beautifully and allows children to see the injustices done to African Americans and demonstrates their courage to try to escape. This book will be appreciated by parents/teachers and children and provide a good jumping board to talk about the past and how awful this time was in US history. I would highly recommend this book.

My only concern is that it is suggested for those 4 - 8 years old. There is some mention of some switching and violence, so I would suggest that it would be more appropriate for those 8 years and up.

5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting story about a runaway slave and his faithful dog, September 21, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog (Hardcover)

"Night Running" is based on the true story of James Smith who as a young slave ran away from his cruel master and was aided throughout his journey by his faithful dog, Zeus. The illustrations are dark and muted in color, but very effective in telling the story, keeping the tension alive as the reader wonders what awaits James in the dark on night. Zeus is portrayed as an unfailingly faithful dog that keeps up with his master, James, and pulls him out of a few scrapes along the way. Perfect as a picture book, and also as a read aloud for young readers ages 4-8.

5.0 out of 5 stars Loyalty and history, January 1, 2009

By 

ai chi teacher (Eugene, Oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog (Hardcover)

This book tells a wonderful story of loyalty of a dog toward his human companion. The story reminds us of the historical reality of slavery in our country and the struggles to free oneself from bondage. The artwork is superb.