Savage Sam

I reread Old Yeller not long ago, then came across this in my collection, not realizing it was a sequel (I am not sure even how long I have had it-- goodness!), so I had to read it! I was not disappointed. I have always liked how Fred Gipson wrote and this was no exception.
The Old Yeller story continues with Savage Sam, his son and the family he belongs to. Savage Sam is in a fight with a bobcat, Little Arliss in tow, when the family gets word that some Indians are on the stealing horses and the Pa sends Travis (the oldest son, about 12 yrs. old) to fetch Arliss. The neighbor's granddaughter Lisbeth goes along with, and all 3 (Travis, Lisbeth and Arliss) end up kidnapped by the Indians. On the Indians back, the 3 children suffer some show more and the reader is in suspense as to what will happen. I liked how Mr. Gipson spoke throughout the book in the local vernacular of the time. It gave the story flavor.
I also like the part where the importance of all life was dawning on Travis, and Fred Gipson wrote, "Maybe me and Lisbeth and Little Arliss and Papa and Mama and friends of ours, like Burn Sanderson, didn't amount to any more in this world than any other living creature. But like all the other creatures-- like the buffalo, the screwworm, the pairie wold, the high-flying goose, or the hole-digging gopher-- our lives were important to us, and each of us would fight to keep them just as long as we could-- and try to help those we loved to do the same." I think this enlightenment is what he thought when confronted with the opportunity to kill a Commanche (who was among his kidnappers, and who really was the only one among them who was kind to the children) and wouldn't do it.
I have seen where some have thought that Mr. Gipson was writing in a racist vein, but I didn't really get the impression that this was how he personally felt-- he was just telling a story that was typical of the time, and without showing a variety of viewpoints that were common for that era and in that area, it would have been unrealistic. I did enjoy the variety of characters he created from the admirable (Travis) to the vile (Wiley Crup and Uncle Pack-- unlikeable for different reasons). Old Yeller is still my favorite, but this was a good second place. show less

This is the sequel to Old Yeller. Same style of writing, same characters except this time the dog is the offspring of Old Yeller. The dog does a lot of running around and has one good 'savage' moment, but otherwise you don't get to know the 'genuine amalgamated Pot-hound' too much.

The plot is that Travis, Arlis, and Lisbeth get kidnapped by Indians who ride out across Texas. The writing is good in that you get the sense of action, but what I loved was the descriptions of the countryside. No direct quotes I felt like saving, but just nice. In there are crossed paths with buffaloes and riding in rutted paths created by them. Fred did a good job of giving you a feeling for the wild frontier.

It is a cowboys and Indians story. We of course show more know that no one got screwed over in American History more than the Native Americans. The story is pretty raw and bloody at times. From a historical perspective you can enjoy the action, but Indians kidnapping them, especially Travis who is a teenager, doesn't make sense. If you can put that aside, I think like me, you may like the story and action. show less

This is the sequel to Old Yeller. Same style of writing, same characters except this time the dog is the offspring of Old Yeller. The dog does a lot of running around and has one good 'savage' moment, but otherwise you don't get to know the 'genuine amalgamated Pot-hound' too much.

The plot is that Travis, Arlis, and Lisbeth get kidnapped by Indians who ride out across Texas. The writing is good in that you get the sense of action, but what I loved was the descriptions of the countryside. No direct quotes I felt like saving, but just nice. In there are crossed paths with buffaloes and riding in rutted paths created by them. Fred did a good job of giving you a feeling for the wild frontier.

It is a cowboys and Indians story. We of course show more know that no one got screwed over in American History more than the Native Americans. The story is pretty raw and bloody at times. From a historical perspective you can enjoy the action, but Indians kidnapping them, especially Travis who is a teenager, doesn't make sense. If you can put that aside, I think like me, you may like the story and action. show less

I reread this after a number of years, and I'm now upping the rating to a 4 star. This is not just for youth/young adult readers, but is also a wonderful read for adults.

Super awesome book. Not as awesome as its prequal, but awesome all the same. A tale of endurance and love. I would have cried, but I am a MAN. Read this book after you read the other one.

Another great dog story. This time involving captivity with Comanches.

Reread in 2022, review from 2011:

I reread this after a number of years, and I'm now upping the rating to a 4 star. This is not just for youth/young adult readers, but is also a wonderful read for adults.