Fans of Gipson's Old Keller, the first book in this series, may be surprised by the plot of Savage Sam. It is completely different from his first book, following Travis and his brother after they are captured by a Native American tribe. The plot is inspired by the story of Herman Lehmann, who was captured by an Apache tribe in the 1870s.
Although both books are connected by their focus on courageous four-legged companions, Savage Sam is more of an adventure story. Gipson does not shy away from depicting the gruesome realities of abduction, detailing the boy's encounters with violence and thoughts of never returning home. The book also has some graphic scenes that involve killing animals and scalping, which may make some readers uncomfortable.
For a children's book, this is quite a heavy plot. Probably better suited to older children, the book focuses on the resilience of the children and their beloved dog as they tackle this difficult situation and are eventually able to escape.
