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Ice Dogs (2014)

by Terry Lynn Johnson(Favorite Author)

4.2 of 5 Votes: 7

ISBN

0547899262 (ISBN13: 9780547899268)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

HMH Books for Young Readers

review 1: This book reminds me of some old Gary Paulsen books about sled dogs, and it describes the special connection between drivers and their teams. Obviously, surviving in Alaska during the winter creates suspense, but the dogs are the real heroes in this story. The author gives each dog a personality, and they become characters in the plot, not just pets. Readers who enjoy stories about dogs or survival will love thus book.
review 2: Victoria Secord is a 14 yr old Alaskan girl who lives to care for and race her sled dogs; Johnson introduces us to Vicky & her dogs in the very first chapter by dropping readers into a dogsled race, great choice to hook her teen readers. Without ever "telling" her audience too much at once, we learn about dogs who pull sleds, the wilder... moreness surrounding her small town of Spruce River& the recent loss of her dad- for much of the story we only know he's lost due to an "accident". Woven into the fast moving plot, the writer helps us recognize the challenges & rugged beauty of the outdoors, and the outdoor survival expertise all through Vicky's actions and thoughts. On a routine practice run with her dog team, she encounters a smashed snowmobile and a dazed, injured driver - Chris- who will surely die in the frigid winter woods if Vicky leaves him. As she tends to his injuries and tries to find her way through the falling snow, it dawns on Vicky ( and us!) that they may be in a difficult situation, dangerous in the extreme environment without anyone knowing where either of them has gone. Will they be found, or will they find their way back to home ? Sometimes predictable in its emerging plot, and not as strong in character development, Johnson's knowledge, love, and admiration for sled dogs clearly shines through - Vicky is a plucky, dedicated outdoors woman and we are rooting for both young people, and her strong, dependable dogs. The last crisis they face at Devils River was significant, and helps us connect with Victoria's sorrow of her dads lonely death- out checking trap lines and falling through the ice to drown in the river's depths. Written at middle school level, but with enough danger and budding friendship - perhaps romance?- to appeal to high school readers too. Great outdoors survival story! less

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