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Children's Books

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.

Born to Pull: by Bob Cary
Illustrated by Gail de Marcken; Pages: 96; Publisher: Pfeifer-Hamilton, Duluth, MN (1999); ISBN: 1570251460; Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

Large-format hardback, color. This is probably the best new dog mushing information book with potential use in the classroom. It includes the Iditarod but provides a much broader background about sled dogs, not only in Alaska but elsewhere. It is richly illustrated and well organized. This is a superb reference for both students and teachers, and an excellent read besides.

Alaskan Malemutes: by Bill LeKernec; Pages: 128; Publisher: T.H.F., (1991); ISBN: 0940808595; Intended Audience: Grades 3 and up

Malemutes were some of the original sled dogs in Alaska. Bred over hundreds of years by Natives on the Bering Sea coast, they were (and are) legendary for their toughness and strength and ability to pull heavy loads and survive under unbelievable conditions. Although purebred Malemutes aren't used much for racing anymore, their bloodlines are widespread in Alaskan sled dogs to a greater or lesser extent. The book is written more from the viewpoint of having a malemute for a pet, and covers all aspects of owning one and has some interesting history.

Balto - Sled Dog of Alaska: by LaVere Anderson
Illustrated by Herman B. Vestal; Pages: 48; Publisher: Garrard, Champaign, IL (1976); ISBN: 0811648591; Intended Audience: Grades 3-5

Famous Animal Stories Series. The text is reasonably factual and fairly well written, but some of the illustrations have glaring errors. Togo, the other famous Serum Run leader, is mentioned in the proper context.

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.

Racing Sled Dogs: An Original North American Sport: by Michael Cooper; Pages: 73; Publisher: Clarion, (1988); ISBN: 099991994990; Intended Audience: Grades 2-6

An overview of sled dog racing, covering history, breeding, training, and running, illustrated with excellent photographs.

Racing the Iditarod Trail: by Ruth Crisman; Publisher: Dillon, New York (1993); ISBN: 0875185231; Intended Audience: Grades 4-8

Using the 1991 race as a backdrop, the author covers many aspects of the Iditarod, from the trail to the checkpoints to the terrain and people involved, in a start-to-finish format with color photos.

The Iditarod: The Greatest Win Ever: by Monica Devine; Pages: 56; Publisher: Perfection, Logan, IA (1997); ISBN: 07899119552; Intended Audience: Grades 3-6

A young girl runs the Iditarod in a story that is oriented toward classroom teaching, with vocabulary and glossary, plus color photos.

Susan Butcher and the Iditarod Trail: by Ellen M. Dolan; Pages: 103; Publisher: Walker, New York (1993); ISBN: 0802782116; Intended Audience: Grades 4-8

This is a reasonably good biography of Susan Butcher, five-time Iditarod champion. It includes a brief history of the Iditarod Trail and the 1925 Serum Run. Good background on training and caring for dogs (and Susan is among the best).

Big-Enough Anna, The Little Sled Dog Who Braved the Arctic: by Pam Flowers
with Ann Dixon, Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth; Pages: 16; Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books, Alaska (2003); ISBN: 0882405772

Anna may be the smallest member of the dog team, but she's surely the most determined. In this incredible true story, Anna is picked to join a thrilling 2,500-mile expedition across the top of the world. When the lead dog becomes lost, it's up to Anna to take his place. Will she have what it takes to ensure the survival of all?

Stone Fox: by John Reynolds Gardiner
Illustrated by Marcia Sewell; Pages: 81; Publisher: Harper Collins Children's Books, New York (1980); ISBN: 0064401324; Intended Audience: Grades 2-5

Little Willie's heroic race against the seemingly unbeatable champion musher Stone Fox has become an enduring kids' classic. The story actually has some basis in a Rocky Mountain legend. This book will definitely engage young readers and keep their attention.

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.

Danger the Dog Yard Cat: by Shelley Gill
Libby Riddles, Illustrated by Shannon Cartwright; Publisher: Paws IV Publishing, Homer, AK (1987); ISBN: 0613891376; Intended Audience: Grades K-4

Large-format picture story book. Strictly for fun! Danger was a real cat who lived around Libby Riddles' dog lot. With a little imagination, Danger becomes a feline Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Libby's dog team. Includes a cassette of songs written by Libby and Hobo Jim Varsos. (Hobo Jim wrote "Iditarod Trail", which includes the immortal line, "I did I did I did the Iditarod Trail!" Practically all of the schoolkids in Alaska--and most of the grownups-- know all three verses of this foot-stomping unofficial Iditarod anthem by heart.)

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.

Adventure in Alaska: by S.A. Kramer; Pages: 96; Publisher: Random House, New York (1993); ISBN: 0679845119; Intended Audience: Grades 2-5

Kids' version of Libby Riddles' excellent Race Across Alaska, the story of her epochal 1985 Iditarod victory.

The Call of the Wild: by Jack London
Illustrated by Philippe Munch; Pages: 126; Publisher: Viking, New York (1903); ISBN: 0670867969; Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

The Whole Story Series. This new rendition of London's classic may well be the best so far, for both kids and adults. All of the original text is included, but Philippe Munch has added hundreds of period photos, drawings, and maps, as well as special illustrations for the story line itself. Informative captions and sidebar notes by Philippe Jacquin complete the tour de force. The illustrations and notes answer almost every question the reader may have, from history of the Klondike Gold Rush to how to hook up a sled dog. Kids (and adults) will be instantly hooked on this book. Highly recommended.

White Fang: by Jack London
Illustrated by Philippe Munch, notes by Philippe Jacquin; Pages: 240; Publisher: Viking, New York (1903); ISBN: 0670884804; Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

Whole Story Series. If you liked the Viking Whole Story version of Call of the Wild, you'll love this innovative treatment of London's other Klondike classic. This is more of the same, and maybe even better. The entire unabridged original text is there, of course, but Munch and Jacquin have teamed up to provide an accompanying feast for the eye and the inquiring mind, whether young or old. Surprisingly, there seems to be no significant duplication of photos or information between the two Klondike-oriented books. Lots of information on dogs and mushing. Enjoy!

The Mystery on Alaskas Iditarod Trail: by Carol Marsh; Publisher: Gallopade International/Carol Marsh Books, Georgia (2003); ISBN: 0635016680; Intended Audience: All grades

Four real (cold!) kids head north to Alaska (where else?) just in time for the famous Iditarod Trail dogsled race! They discover themselves in hot pursuit of a runaway team with a renegade musher . . . in a snowbank of clues about a mystery that needs solving VERY FAST! All you gotta do is dig through some very old Gold Rush history, but hurry--lives are depending on your. On, you huskies.

The Great Serum Race: by Debbie S. Miller
Illustrations by Jon Van Zyle; Publisher: Walker & Company, New York (2002); ISBN: 0802788114; Intended Audience: Grades 2-5

In the winter of 1925, an unexpected and deadly outbreak of diphtheria hit Nome, Alaska. Officials immediately quarantined the town, but the only way to save the community of more than 1,400 people from such a contagious disease was with antitoxin serum. Unfortunately, the nearest supply of serum was located in Anchorage, across 1,000 miles of snowbound wilderness. Train routes only covered the first 400 miles; planes couldonly be flown during the summer; and boats could not be sent because the port was icebound. Transporting the serum by sled dog team was the only option. Twenty teams braved subzero temperatures and blizzard conditions to run over 600 miles in six days in a desperate relay race that saved lives and gained national attention.

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.

Dogsong: by Gary Paulsen; Pages: 177; Publisher: Bradbury Press, New York (1985); ISBN: 0027701808; Intended Audience: Grades 5 and up

Paulsen has used his intimate knowledge of dogs and unmatched storytelling ability to weave a captivating fable about Inupiat teenager Russell Suskitt, who takes his dog team on a voyage of self-discovery in the Alaskan Arctic. Touches on Eskimo social problems and efforts to rediscover their heritage as a guide to the future.

Dogteam: by Gary Paulsen
Illustrated by Ruth Wright Paulsen; Publisher: Delacorte, New York (1993); ISBN: 0385305508; Intended Audience: Grades K and up

Large-format picture story book, softcover. Ruth Paulsen is as much in love with mushing as her husband. His spare and lyrical story line and her remarkably evocative illustrations effectively conjure the special magic of running dogs at night. Even adults will want to sneak a read of this book. Only dedicated mushers with first-hand experience could have made this book work the way it does.

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.

Woodsong: by Gary Paulsen; Pages: 132; Publisher: Bradbury Press, New York (1990); ISBN: 01403405; Intended Audience: Grades 4 and up

many ways this is the young-adult version of Paulsen's Winterdance, his account of preparing for and running the 1983 Iditarod. Paulsen has "been there, done that," and it shows. What really shows through is Paulsen's love for his dogs and appreciation of what he's doing. A few graphic scenes, but young readers are usually hooked quickly, and for the duration. Excellent preparation for studying the race. (Great for read-aloud, but beware of a couple of emotional sections that match anything in Where the Red Fern Grows!)

Storm Run: by Libby Riddles
Illustrations by Shannon Cartwright; Publisher: Paws IV Publishing, Homer (1996); ISBN: 0934007314; Intended Audience: Grades 4-6

Libby Riddles tells her own story of her 1985 Iditarod victory in picture-book format. Well done with Shannon Cartwright's fine illustrations--and a good adventure read for kids.

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.

Dashing Through the Snow: The Story of the Junior Iditarod: by Sherry Shahan; Pages: 48; Publisher: Millbrook, Brookfield, CT (1997); ISBN: 0761302085; Intended Audience: Grades 3-6

A look at the Junior Iditarod with photos. Good background and reference.

Loving a Happy Dog (Happy Dog Trilogy from Alaska Series, Vol 3): by Mary Sheilds; Pages: 32; Publisher: Pyrola Publishing, Fairbanks (1991); ISBN: 0961834838; Intended Audience: Grades 2-4

Mary Shields is a veteran musher (the first woman to finish the Iditarod, among other accomplishments), as well as a teacher and author. These books aren't about the Iditarod, but are perfect to get younger students to comprehend sled dogs as more than pets and to understand the responsibilities of owning and training dogs. They are fast reads--well illustrated with good story lines to keep interest.

Secret Messages--Training a Happy Dog (Happy Dog Trilogy from Alaska Series, Vol 2): by Mary Sheilds; Pages: 32; Publisher: Pyrola Publishing, Fairbanks (1991); ISBN: 0961834862; Intended Audience: Grades 2-4

Can Dogs Talk? (Happy Dog Trilogy from Alaska Series, Vol 1): by Mary Shields; Pages: 32; Publisher: Pyrola Publishing, Fairbanks (1991); ISBN: 0961834811; Intended Audience: Grades 2-4

Mush: Across Alaska in the World's Longest Sled-Dog Race: by Patricia Seibert
Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis; Pages: 32; Publisher: Millbrook, Brookfield, CT (1994); ISBN: 0395645379; Intended Audience: Grades K-5

A good book to give children their first overview of the Iditarod. Fine illustrations with a brief history of Alaska.

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.

Susan Butcher: Sled Dog Racer: by Ginger Wadsworth; Pages: 64; Publisher: Lerner, Minneapolis (1994); ISBN: 0937708216; Intended Audience: Grades 3-6

Good information but not very good presentation. This is a straightforward biography of Susan Butcher, done without her cooperation. Useful as a backup reference, but probably won't entice kids to read it on their own.

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.

Iditarod Dreams: Dusty and His Sled Dogs Compete in Alaska's Junior Iditarod: by Ted Wood; Pages: 48; Publisher: Walker, New York (1996); ISBN: 0902784062; Intended Audience: Grades 2-6

Fourteen-year-old Dusty Whittemore is from Cantwell, near Denali Park. His father ran the Iditarod, and Dusty aims to win the Junior Iditarod. Excellent photography. A real-life story that will give kids a peer figure with whom to identify. (Dusty plans to run the Iditarod himself, possibly in 2000.)

Children's Books

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