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Hero Dogs

The Iditarod is set against the (much) bigger backdrop of Alaska. This category includes some selected general-purpose reference works to assist non-Alaskans (or even for Alaskans who are not quite familiar with their home state) to better understand the Last Frontier.

Dogs of the North - Vol 14, No. 1

by Alaska Geographic Society

Pages: 120

Publisher: Alaska Geographic, Anchorage (1987)

ISBN: 0882401807

Intended Audience: Grades 3 and up

An excellent reference work covering Alaskan working dogs and their rich history. Many photos and quick biographies of famous dogs and drivers.

Rivers. Diary of a Blind Alaska Racing Sled Dog

by Mike Dillingham

Pages: 160

Publisher: Mike Dillingham, Anchorage (2001)

ISBN: 1888125896

Intended Audience: Grades 7 and up

A chance encounter on a chilly, rainy day started a heartwarming adventure for a blind dog and a human. This is Rivers’ diary of that adventure; become pain free and dealing with his disappointments while learn to interact with humans. Rivers tells of a blind dog’s efforts to overcome his challenges and achieve his destiny. Rivers is a tale of the bond between a dog and a man, of courage, friendship, loyalty and adventure. It is full of positive messages for both young and old. rivers takes place in that mystical land called Alaska, where sled dog racing is the state sport, dogs are considered athletes and mushers are their coaches.

Rivers. (Book Two) Through the Eyes of a Blind Dog

by Mike Dillingham

Pages: 128

Publisher: Mike Dillingham, Anchorage (2003)

ISBN: 1594330042

Intended Audience: Grades 7 and up

The adventures continue for Rivers, his buddies, and their human companion, Mike. Racing across the trails of Alaska, the team finds a lost child in a blizzard and helps a foster child find his forever home, while searching for their destiny on snowy trails. A tale from the trail of friendship, loyalty, and devotion. The magic continues as the story may touch your own life's experiences. Rivers, Through the Eyes of a Blind Dog, has something for everyone, child, adult, and of course, dog lover. From Alaska, where else?

Animal Heroes

by Tim Jones
Illustrated by Jon Van Zyle

Pages: 96

Publisher: Epicenter, Fairbanks (1995)

ISBN: 0945397224

Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

Large-format hardcover, color. Illustrated by famous Alaska artist (and Iditarod veteran) Jon Van Zyle, this is a collection of true stories about famous dogs from around the world. Balto and Togo (Serum Run leaders) are included, as is Andy, Rick Swenson's longtime Iditarod championship leader. The non-Alaskan stories are fascinating as well.

To See the Moon

by Ethel Bacon
Illustrated by David Ray

Pages: 32

Publisher: Bridgewater Books, (1996)

ISBN: 0931866855

Intended Audience: Grades 2-4

Picture story book. Kimo is the runt of the litter, but Diane is determined to make him into a sled dog for the one-dog race. The moon is the backdrop of many of the illustrations as she trains Kimo. Their relationship grows stronger and stronger until they finally run the race they've been training for.

Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod

by Robert J. Blake
Illustrated by Robert J. Blake

Pages: 32

Publisher: Philomel Books, New York (1997)

ISBN: 03992227989

Intended Audience: Grades 2-4

Large-format picture story book. Akiak, the veteran leader, is running her last Iditarod. She's never led her team to victory, and this will be her last chance. She is dropped with a sore paw after four days, but escapes and follows her team up the trail. Good artwork and easy to follow, dog's-view story line will capture kids' interest immediately. Definitely above average.

Kiana's Iditarod

by Shelley Gill
Illustrations by Shannon Cartwright

Pages: 60

Publisher: Paws IV Publishing, Wasilla, AK (1984)

ISBN: 0934007004

Intended Audience: Grades 1-3

Large-format picture story book, softcover, color. Shelley Gill and Shannon Cartwright constitute one of the best teams at work on children's books in Alaska. Kiana is a sled dog in the Iditarod and the story is a sort of epic poem for children, done in easy verse, told from the dog's viewpoint. This might be considered Robert Service for young people, with Kiana and her teammates as the heroes. Good follow-on to Mary Shields' Happy Dog Trilogy.

Where's the Boss - A Sleddog's tale from Alaska's Iditarod Trail

by Lois Harter
Illustrated by Dave Totten

Pages: 32

Publisher: Publication Consultants, Anchorage, AK (1999)

ISBN: 1888125632

Intended Audience: Grades 3-6

An Iditarod musher's dogs will go anywhere for their "boss"--their musher. But when The Boss has problems on the trail, what can the team do? This new book, by a long-time staffer at the Iditarod Trail Committee and powerfully illustrated by one of Alaska's premier wildlife and sled dog artists, is an ultimately satisfying "tale from the trail" told from the dogs' viewpoint. Kids should be engrossed from beginning to end.

Elim - The Determined Athlete

by Joan Jackson
Illustrated by Robert S. Gilmore

Pages: 32

Publisher: Publication Consultants, Anchorage (1998)

ISBN: 1888125322

Intended Audience: Grades 2-5

Picture story book. Elim was a real-life puppy who followed Jeff King's team out of the Elim checkpoint in the 1996 race. King eventually asked for and kept the pup, who eventually grew into a sled dog. Joan Jackson's version is told from Elim's point of view and should keep kids' attention from start to finish.

Black Star, Bright Dawn

by Scott O'Dell

Pages: 134

Publisher: Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston, MA (1988)

ISBN: 0395477786

Intended Audience: Grades 3 and up

Chapter book. A young Eskimo girl and her leader Black Star must substitute for her father in the Iditarod. The story is getting a bit dated and some details have become inaccurate as the race has changed over the last decade, but this has become an Iditarod classic and the basic story is still good. It begins to touch on some of the social issues centering around Native Alaska, but not deeply. This is a fine, fast-paced read and a sure-fire favorite.

My Life in Dog Years

by Gary Paulsen

Pages: 138

Publisher: Delacorte, New York (1998)

ISBN: 0385325703

Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

Once again, Paulsen wears his heart on his sleeve for the dogs who have shared his life. Vintage Paulsen, reflective and funny and well worth reading. (Little about Alaska or the Iditarod, but that's not important in this case.)

Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers: Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs

by Gary Paulsen
Illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen

Pages: 81

Publisher: Delacorte, New York (1996)

ISBN: 0385325851

Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

If you were to ask Gary Paulsen for the name of the first dog who came to his mind, it would be that of his faithful leader Cookie, who saved his life and who shared many thousands of miles on the trail with him. This is Paulsen's loving, respectful, humorous, and often emotional look at Cookie and her litter and how they matured into a true team of sled dogs.

SoloFlite - An Alaska Puppy Becomes a Legend

by Marianne Schlegelmilch
Illustrations by David W. Large, Jr.

Pages: 40

Publisher: Publication Consultants, Anchorage (2002)

ISBN: 1888125942

Intended Audience: Grades K-4

Joe Redington scooped the trembling puppy into his arms. It seemed strange to him to find such a fine animal wandering alone in the woods along the Iditarod trail. Joe gave the pup, Solo, a home until the two were separated after a plane crash. Harry Conroy found Solo and took him back to Fairbanks to his kennel, where Solo discovered his passion for sled dog racing. This passion would lead him to his destiny 1000 miles across wild Alaska. In the time it would take Solo to run in his first Iditarod, he would not only face his ultimate challenge, but also become a legend.

The Bravest Dog Ever--The True Story of Balto

by Natalie Standiford
Illustrated by Donald Cook

Pages: 48

Publisher: Random House, New York (1989)

ISBN: 039499695X

Intended Audience: Grades 1-3

(Step Into Reading series, Step 2). Large-format paperback, color. This Step Into Reading book will grab kids and hold them--plenty of drama. Good for kids who aren't ready for Ungermann's book

The Race to Nome

by Kenneth A. Ungermann

Pages: 171

Publisher: Harper & Row, New York (1963)

ISBN: 0938271040

Intended Audience: Grades 2 and up

Softcover chapter book. One of the "oldies but goodies", this is probably still the most factual and unbiased account for younger readers of the 1925 Serum Run from Nenana to Nome, the inspiration for the modern Iditarod. The book is well written and is a good read for student and teacher alike. If nothing else, it will undo some of the damage caused by recent animated treatments and associated books centering on Balto.

Silver

by Gloria Whelan
Illustrated by Stephen Marchesi

Pages: 59

Publisher: Random House, New York (1988)

ISBN: 0394996619

Intended Audience: Grades 2-5

Silver is the runt of the litter, but young Rachel believes he will become a champion leader. When her father finishes the Iditarod, she discovers Silver is missing and embarks on a search to find him. Ultimately satisfying and lots of good mushing and Alaskan atmosphere.

Foxy's Tale: The True Story of a Champion Alaskan Sled Dog

by Ed White
Donna Freedman

Pages: 77

Publisher: Whitehouse, Anchorage (1995)

ISBN: 0964417103

Intended Audience: Grades 3-6

Foxy is a sled dog in Chugiak (just north of Anchorage) who proves to be a champion. Told by Foxy--good story for kids.