Carbone's (Stealing Freedom) powerful first picture book, based on a true story, is set in 1838, when James, a young slave, decides to escape his master's Virginia farm and reluctantly tells his noisy dog, Zeus, to stay behind ("One skinny old hunting dog wasn't worth staying for. Not when there was freedom to be had"). Ignoring the boy, Zeus comes anyway and saves James's life several times, helping him escape his master's lackeys, kill vicious slave-catching dogs and cross the Ohio River when James's canoe sinks. Dramatically illuminated by sunshine and moonlight, Lewis's (Coming on Home Soon) watercolors highlight the characters' peril--in one scene, James tenses as he's about to be whipped by his captor; equally upsetting is the sight of James and Zeus fending off the pack of dogs. Carbone's colloquial narrative offsets the harsh reality ("Ropes that are slimed up with dog spit are mighty easy to untie!") and emphasizes the sometimes strained but tender friendship between boy and dog. This emotionally charged account will move children and parents alike, right through the quietly triumphant denouement. An author's note provides details about the real James Smith's later years. Ages 5-8. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Based on a true story the author came across while writing the historical-fiction novel Stealing Freedom (1998), this beautifully illustrated picture book tells of the attempt of a young slave boy to escape his situation and go north. James tells his friend that he will escape that evening, but he's caught by the men to whom his friend sold the information. Sure to be severely punished, James is lucky to be rescued by his dog Zeus. James shows a real lack of faith in Zeus, continually trying to get rid of him, afraid that he will somehow foil the escape. But Zeus is the reason that James gets through a number of frightening situations. Finally, after the reader is beginning to lose patience, James realizes how loyal Zeus is and that he should be appreciated. A one-page author's note tells the full story of James and Zeus who actually did escape slavery. Caldecott Honor-winner Lewis's stunning watercolors, some covering the entire spread, help convey the story in ways words cannot. Zeus is lovingly drawn in all his persistence, loyalty and bravery. James's defeatism that turns into hope is perfectly indicated by the merest change of a brush stroke as Lewis adds to his long list of truly accomplished work. An excellent way to teach history, this belongs in every library. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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.-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(Primary) Planning to run away, James, a young slave, tells his dog he'll have to leave him behind -- "You're always hungry and you're noisy"; luckily, Zeus refuses to listen. Betrayed by a friend, James is caught, but his dog distracts his captors and helps him escape. Later, terrified that Zeus's barking will give him away, James is about to club his dog when they're surprised by a group of slave-catcher dogs; again Zeus helps James escape. Zeus even saves James from drowning as he tries to cross the Ohio in a leaky canoe. Much of the story sounds highly unlikely, but an (unsourced) author's note indicates that it's based on the account of a runaway slave. Carbone's narrative lacks the elegant restraint of Ellen Levine's Henry's Freedom Box (rev. 3/07), but it's vivid and certainly makes for an exciting tale of courage and loyalty. Lewis heightens the tension with lush, dark landscapes against which the white-clad boy and his brown-and-white dog stand out starkly; in contrast, the blue of the river leading to freedom looks especially inviting. As always, Lewis's watercolors tenderly depict the people with the same beauty and verisimilitude as the nature surrounding them. Children will probably want to know more about James's earlier life, especially about his family, but they will have to be content with the appended note about the remainder of James's life of freedom. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

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.--Peters, John Copyright 2008 Booklist