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Summary
Summary
It's the winter of 1924 and a diptheria outbreak is threatening the population of Nome, Alaska. The only way to stop the deadly illness from causing a full blown epidemic is to immediately deliver one million units of the diptheria antitoxin to the affected communities --a task that seems impossible given that the only way to reach any place in Alaska at this time of year is by dog sled. The stakes are high, and the snow is piling higher. Will the antitoxin make it in time? Or will the infection spread faster than they can treat it...
Follow along as Balto and Togo lead the way in this race against time to get the antitoxin and save lives.
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Set in the winter of 1924, this illustrated middle grade book is based on real events that took place during the diphtheria outbreak in Alaska. To prevent infection from spreading, one million units of antitoxin must be delivered as quickly as possible. But due to weather, temperature, minimal road access, distance, and isolation, the serum must travel by mushers and dogsleds. As they journey along the trail, the teams face frostbite, black holes, and trips and tangles. The details of the outbreak are shown through a variety of characters' points of view. After a telegraph is sent out asking for help, a team of huskies undertake a 600-mile round trip. Readers get to understand what the dogs are seeing and thinking as the author includes narration and dialogue from their perspectives. Additional viewpoints--from a sick child, a nurse, the mayor--round out the characters and add drama to the story. Footnotes on the bottom of several pages include detail about word definitions. Back matter includes over 10 pages of notes, reference material, and sources. VERDICT This well-researched adventure book will be out just in time for the winter. Children who enjoy animal adventure stories will love this book!--Tanya Boudreau
Booklist Review
This account of the brave men and resilient, expertly trained dogsled teams that successfully conveyed the desperately needed diphtheria serum across nearly 700 miles of Alaskan wilderness in the 1920s is engaging and exciting. The compelling story begins with a young girl waking up with a sore throat; within a few pages, there's an epidemic, and a doctor in Nome sends out an emergency request for the life-saving medicine. But how is it ever going to get there? Plane travel is in its infancy and much too risky; the only option is the teams of mushers who routinely transport goods between frozen outposts. Time is of the essence: children are dying. Readers are pulled into the story through vivid descriptions of the blinding blizzard conditions, harsh and inhospitable terrain, and detailed effects of temperatures dropping to -50°F. Even more compelling are the imaginary conversations between the sled dogs themselves (Balto, Togo, and a host of others) as they urge each other onward and howl news to other teams across the frozen landscape. The author's chapter notes are especially interesting, and include explanations of how primary sources prompted the made-up interactions between the main characters. Kids will relate to these heroes, both human and canine, and come away with new understandings about weather, geography, and history.