As a digital subscriber, you’ll receive unlimited access to Horn Book web exclusives and extensive archives, as well as access to our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database.
To access other site content, visit The Horn Book homepage.
To continue you need an active subscription to hbook.com.
Subscribe now to gain immediate access to everything hbook.com has to offer, as well as our highly searchable Guide/Reviews Database, which contains tens of thousands of short, critical reviews of books published in the United States for young people.
Thank you for registering. To have the latest stories delivered to your inbox, select as many free newsletters as you like below.
No thanks. Return to article
(4)
4-6
You Choose: Surviving Extreme Sports series.
Snow, bitter cold, wild animals, and other physical dangers are omnipresent in these pick-your-path wilderness-survival stories. Readers' choices determine whether the adventure ends successfully or in failure. The narratives highlight the exhilaration and danger of both extreme sports; color photographs sprinkled throughout illustrate the majestic yet harsh environments. An epilogue provides limited contextual background. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these You Choose: Surviving Extreme Sports titles: Surviving Mount Everest and Surviving the Iditarod.
(3)
4-6
School is tough for eleven-year-old Matthew: he is bullied and may fail math. To earn extra credit, he creates a business plan, relying on his passion for sled-dog racing to create a sled school for other kids. Matthew's growth is believably gradual, while Johnson skillfully incorporates math into the text; animal lovers will welcome the information about dogs and racing.
24 pp.
| Child's
| January, 2017
|
LibraryISBN 978-1503816176$18.95
(3)
4-6
Helping Dogs series.
Each of these winning volumes features a different kind of working dog, first summarizing the main jobs they perform, the best breeds for a task, length of training, and famous dogs who have performed these roles. The books then profile a couple of real on-the-job dogs and detail how each canine was trained. Appealing color photos and closing discussion questions accompany each entry. There are four other spring 2017 books in this series. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Helping Dogs titles: Search and Rescue Dogs on the Job, Sled Dogs on the Job, Detection Dogs on the Job, and Therapy Dogs on the Job.
32 pp.
| Sterling
| March, 2016
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4549-1812-7$9.95
(4)
PS
Alaskan husky Paw is too small to be on the dogsled team. But when a little boy doesn't come home from playing in the snow one evening, it's Paw to the rescue, and he earns a spot on the team. The plotting is utterly formulaic, but young readers will cheer the determined hero on. Paw resembles a greeting card animal: airbrushed-seeming but adorable.
117 pp.
| Random
| January, 2016
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-553-51086-7$15.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-553-51085-0$12.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-553-51087-4
(3)
4-6
Magic Tree House series.
Illustrated by
Sal Murdocca.
Jack and Annie travel via the magic tree house to 1925 Nome, Alaska, where a diphtheria epidemic threatens the residents. The siblings assist dogsled driver Gunnar Kaasen and his team--including famed husky Balto--in completing the last leg of the historic Great Race of Mercy to deliver much-needed medicine. Fast-paced chapters, plentiful black-and-white illustrations, and the series' signature format make this a successful installment.
279 pp.
| Houghton
| February, 2014
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-89926-8$16.99
(2)
4-6
Fourteen-year-old musher Victoria Secord is in training for the White Wolf Classic sled race. Alone in the wilderness with only basic supplies and a skeleton dog team, she comes upon a boy who has crashed his snowmobile; when she tries to take him home, they get lost. Thus begins a top-notch survival story as the two deal with a blizzard and more.
Reviewer: Betty Carter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2014
160 pp.
| Random
| January, 2014
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-385-37336-4$12.99
|
PaperISBN 978-0-385-37335-7$6.99
|
EbookISBN 978-0-385-37337-1
(4)
1-3
Dog Diaries series.
Illustrated by
Tim Jessell.
Siberian husky and sled dog Togo narrates this fourth installment. Musher Sepp and exuberant Togo lead the team in the 1925 Nome Serum Run, saving Alaskan children in a remote village who have diphtheria. Based on a true story, this is an intimate portrait of the breed's lively and devoted personality. Black-and-white illustrations, additional breed information, and some archival photos are included.
(3)
K-3
Bow-Wow! Dog Helpers series.
Titles in this approachable series provide introductions to the lives and purposes of various working dogs. Told in simple language from the dogs' perspectives and punctuated by occasional fact boxes, the information covered ranges from particular character traits to each service dog's specific tasks. Engaging photographs of dogs in real-life situations are a highlight. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review includes these Bow-Wow! Dog Helpers titles: Sled Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Guide Dogs, Search-and-Rescue Dogs, and Service Dogs.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2013
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61783-693-0$18.95
(4)
K-3
Xtreme Races series.
These books deal with four of the nation's most popular and time-honored racing events. They relate the history and uniqueness of each competition, give specifics of each race, and briefly touch on important participants, including some animal champions in Derby and Iditarod. Color photographs vary in quality and there are some poor design choices; "Xtreme Fact" inserts add compelling details. Glos., ind. Review covers these Xtreme Races titles: America's Cup, Indianapolis 500, Iditarod, and Kentucky Derby.
278 pp.
| Harcourt
| January, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-547-63455-5$16.99
(1)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jennifer Black Reinhardt.
Pig Flora is on a boat headed to the South Pole, where she knows she'll find adventure (never mind that Amos the sailor refers to her as his "little ham bone"). Like all good animal adventure stories, this one has a richly drawn cast; dedicated sled dog Oscar will move readers to tears. Thirty-eight fast-paced chapters make this perfect for reading aloud.
Reviewer: Robin L. Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2013
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Mark Elliott.
The simple story of fictional sled dog Yukon unfolds from her puppyhood through steps of basic training, and, after four years, a race in which Yukon leads. The elements of dogsledding are simplified in the story but elaborated in the author's note. The cuddly pups in the awkwardly rendered pencil and digitally colored art will capture readers' interest.
(4)
4-6
When her family moves to Alaska, young Tatum comes to love the brutal weather and the legendary Iditarod. Soon she and Bandit (a retired musher dog), and her friend Cole are caught in a blizzard. Though a hovering wolf dog and blustery winds create some tension, Tatum's protracted journey through deep snow grows tedious for her--and for readers.
32 pp.
| Fifth House
| January, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-1-897252-65-9$19.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Brian Deines.
Brothers Joe and Cody, their parents, and pet dog Ootsie, along with the family's eight-husky sled-dog team, go ice fishing. When the dogs spy a fox, they take off after it--dragging Mama and Joe along. The book, with its bilingual format (English text followed by Cree translation), cream-colored paper, and richly textured paintings, is handsome and useful.
32 pp.
| Bearport
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61772-134-2$25.27
(4)
K-3
Built for Cold: Arctic Animals series.
The authors describe various animals that live and thrive in arctic environments. Each volume begins by introducing a scientist studying the title creature; that person acts as expert by providing quotes throughout the book. The information is solid but tends to meander. Colorful photos, maps, sidebars, and accounts of real-life encounters with the animals will engage readers curious about the natural world. Reading list, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Built for Cold: Arctic Animals titles: Arctic Wolf, Caribou, Wolverine, Polar Bear, Sled Dog, and Walrus.
32 pp.
| ABDO
| January, 2011
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-61613-549-2$25.65
(4)
4-6
Checkerboard Adventure Library: Adrenaline Adventure series.
This series briefly examines four different sports/adventure activities. Each book contains a description of the sport, the equipment used, safety instructions, and suggestions for beginners. Famous participants are briefly mentioned. Aspiring practitioners may find the information too limited, but they will likely be pleased with the many colorful action photos and included sidebars. Glos., ind. Review covers these Checkerboard Adventure Library: Adrenaline Adventure titles: Belaying the Line, Dropping the Flag, Leading the Pack, and Pulling the Rip Cord.
109 pp.
| Farrar/Foster
| April, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-31776-8$16.00
(2)
4-6
After an accident leaves her favorite sled dog, Roxy, blind, twelve-year-old Willow must transport Roxy to her grandparents for safe-keeping. The first-person, present-tense narrative is typeset in diamond shapes; bold-faced words at the heart of each diamond hold an additional nugget of meaning. Despite some misplaced mysticism, as a dog and dogsled story, the tale wears its knowledge gracefully.
Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2008
211 pp.
| Scholastic/Levine
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-439-02356-6$16.99
(2)
4-6
Johnny, Tom, and their mother go on a dogsledding trip in Finland. The brothers love every minute of it--until their mam disappears. Running alongside the boys' tense, gripping adventure is the story of their eighteen-year-old half-sister, home in Dublin dealing with the return of her birth mother. The missing mother stories are linked by the characters' coming-of-age epiphanies.
173 pp.
| Front
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-502-7$16.95
(2)
YA
Fifteen-year-old Baby finds herself in foster care in New Hampshire with a family who races sled dogs. Though she bonds with the dogs, she still takes off--bringing a puppy with her--when her boyfriend shows up. Baby's first-person narration modulates between tough-girl and little-girl. Monninger gives her the space to find beauty and confidence in the thrill of racing.
Reviewer: Vicky Smith
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2008
48 pp.
| Capstone
| September, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-7368-9545-0$$22.60
(4)
4-6
High Five Reading series.
Intended for reluctant readers, these books provide rushed but adequate introductions. Iditarod tracks the history of the race, as well as discussing supplies, dangers, and the dogs themselves. Games touches on events in the annual summer and winter competitions; excess exclamation points are distracting. These overviews are accompanied by small photos. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these High Five Reading titles: The Iditarod and X Games.]