"...its atmosphere is realistic, its timetable is accurate, and its events and characterizations are grounded in fact. Seaman joins the intrepid explorers in the tale with a personality all his own.... This soundly researched, smoothly written story will bring the entire expedition alive for readers 8 to 12, adding not only a canine but a human element to a tale that never grows wearisome. Nobody knows what happened to Seaman after his Western adventures, but he has certainly left one good book behind him." --Parade
"....the story flows well. The appended author's note separates fact from fiction... and tells what happened to the main characters after the events in the book. James Watling's many handsome, shaded-pencil drawings will help readers visualize the setting, hardships, and dramatic moments of the story; and two maps will enable them to follow the explorers' route. An effective, fictional introduction to the Lewis and Clark expedition." --Booklist
"Once young readers begin this fictional account of the dog's role in the expedition, they will be caught up in the drama and action and even reluctant readers will find it just too good to put down." --School Library Journal
"I couldn't put the book down. This is a good book to use for classroom reading.... This book would have a wide audience appeal, especially to dog lovers and those interested in reading historical fiction. Highly Recommended." --Book Report
"In this well-researched and finely written book for young readers, Gail Karwoski brings the story back to life through the expedition's most unlikely and endearing hero... Seaman, the first dog to cross the continent." --Dayton Duncan, co-author with Ken Burns of Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery

Leveling Information

Accelerated Reader
AR Quiz: 29425
AR Reading Level: 6
AR Points: 9

F&P (Fountas & Pinnell)
F&P Level: U
F&P Grade: 5

Reading Counts
Reading Counts Level: 5.5
Reading Counts Points: 13
Reading Counts Interest Level: 6-8

JAMES WATLING was born in England and lives in Canada, where he is a professor of art education at McGill University. He has illustrated over twenty-five books for children, including The Tree That Owns Itself (written by Gail Karwoski and Loretta Hammer); The Devil's Highway (written by Stan Applegate); Natchez Under-the-Hill (also by Applegate); and SeaMan (written by Gail Karwoski).