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

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Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH -- School Library Journal, 12/19/2007

From SLJ January 2008

CARBONE, Elisa. Night Running: How James Escaped with the Help of His Faithful Dog. illus. by E. B. Lewis. unpaged. CIP. Knopf/Borzoi. Jan. 2008. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-375-82247-6; PLB $19.99. ISBN 978-0-375-92247-3. LC 2003014502.

Gr 2-4–Through skillful storytelling, Carbone captures the heroics of a boy and his faithful hunting dog in search of freedom. The story begins in 1838 when James Smith leaves behind his life as a slave on Master Graham’s farm in Virginia (now West Virginia). The boy does not originally plan to take Zeus because he’s “always hungry” and too noisy–“more racket than a sack of pots and pans.” However, the hound is persistent–a good thing since he saves James’s life more than once. On the north bank of the Ohio River, a Quaker farmer finds the pair. James goes with him only when his dog is also welcomed. An author’s note gives additional facts about James Smith and his flight to freedom, his life in Huron County, OH, and Canada. The realistic watercolors bring James to life and convey Zeus’s devotion to his owner. The watercolor paintings beautifully evoke the sun-drenched cotton fields. Deep purples and rich, dark greens capture the moonlit night and contrast with James’s light clothing. Hope and freedom are reflected in the brighter colors of the last pages. A vividly realized narrative, based on a true story.