Balto – Sled Dog of Alaska
by LaVere Anderson (1976 – out of print)
One of the books in the Famous Animal Stories series, this is the fictionalized account of Balto and the 1925 Serum Run to Nome.
Grades 3-5.
Very Last First Time
By Jan Andrews (1985)
In this picture book, Andrews tells the story of an Inuit girl’s first solo-walk to collect mussels on the bottom of the sea.
To See the Moon
by Ethel Bacon (1996)
Diane wonders if Kimo, the runt of the litter, will ever make it as a sled dog.
Picture book.
A Bear Named Trouble
by Marion Dane Bauer (2005)
Based on a true story, a 10-year old boy sets out to get even with the bear cub that killed his favorite animal at Anchorage’s Alaska Zoo.
Grades 4-6.
Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow
by Marianne Berkes (2008)
A counting rhyme book that features animals and climate found in the Arctic.
Picture book.
Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod
by Robert J. Blake (1997)
Akiak is running her last Iditarod, but she is hurt on the fourth day. Will she be able to help her team?
Picture book.
Togo
by Robert Blake (2002)
Based on fact, the story of Leonard Seppala’s lead dog Togo and the 1925 Serum Run. Picture book.
Granite
By Susan Butcher and David Monson (2007)
Four time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher tells the story of her lead dog Granite and their journey together.
Picture book
Books by Shannon Cartwright (Shannon is the illustrator of many other books.)
Alaska 123 Colors and Numbers
Alaska’s ABC Bears
Alaska’s Train Story
Half-Breed: A Story of the Klondike Gold Rush
by Pamela Deed (2004)
Ages 9 – 12.
The Iditarod: The Greatest Win Ever
by Monica Devine (1997)
The story of Kara’s experience on the Iditarod combined with history of the race and information on Alaska.
Grades 4-6.
Down by the River: An Alaskan Counting Rhyme
by Sara Feriante Donkersloot (1999)
A counting rhyme book that features animals found Alaska’s rivers.
Picture book.
Out on the Tundra: An Alaskan Counting Rhyme
by Sara Feriante Donkersloot (2002)
A counting rhyme book that features animals from Alaska’s tundra.
Picture book.
Stone Fox
by John Reynolds Gardiner (1980)
Little Willy and his dog Searchlight need to beat the undefeated Stone Fox in an upcoming dogsled race in order to save his grandfather and the farm.
Grades 3-5.
Kiana’s Iditarod
by Shelley Gill (1984)
illustrated by Shannon Cartwright
This book follows a dog’s journey on the Iditarod. Glossary. Picture book.
Danger the Dog Yard Cat
by Shelley Gill (1987)
Danger the cat leads Libby Riddles dog team in the Iditarod. Picture book.
The Stolen Sun: A Story of Native Alaska
by Amanda Hall (2002)
In this original story, told in the tradition of a folktale, Raven creates the world, but when he sees people become greedy he takes away the sun. How will the people come out of the darkness? Picture book.
Where’s the Boss: A Sleddog’s Tale from Alaska’s Iditarod Trail
by Lois Harter (1999)
Lead dogs, Toby and Crystal must figure out what do to when their musher is missing on the Iditarod Trail. Grades 3-5.
Elim: The Determined Athlete
by Joan Jackson (1998)
illustrated by Robert Ferrin Gilmore
Based on a true story, a puppy follows Jeff King’s dogsled team out of the Elim checkpoint in the 1996 Iditarod race. Picture book.
Wind-Wild Dog
by Barbara Joosse (2006)
illustrated by Kate Kiesler
Ziva, a young sled dog, decides whether to stay with the man that has trained her or to run free. Picture book.
The Seasons and Someone
by Virginia L. Kroll (1994)
A poetic account of a year in the life of a young Inuit girl. Picture book.
The Mystery on Alaska’s Iditarod Trail
by Carol Marsh (2003)
Four children head to Alaska just in time for the Iditarod and find themselves involved in a mystery that takes them digging through Gold Rush history to solve. Grades 4-6.
Dogteam
by Gary Paulsen (1993)
Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors as Gary and Ruth Paulsen collaborate to produce this lyrical account of a dog team’s night run. Picture book.
Arctic Fives Arrive
by Elinor J. Pinczes (1996)
A counting book in which Arctic animals arrive five by five to share a view of the northern lights.
The Blizzard’s Robe
By Robert Sabuda (1999)
A picture-book story of a girl who made robes to keep her people warm in the winter, thus changing them from a people who feared winter to “the People of the Northern Lights.”
Coho Waterboy the Flat-Footed Web-footed Alaska Sled Dog
by Marianne Schlegelmilch (2009)
Solo takes the young Coho under his guidance and inspires Coho to overcome his disadvantages and gain the confidence he needs to earn his own special moment in Nome. (Sequel to Solo Flite)
Solo Flite
by Marianne Schlegelmilch
This is a story about a lost young puppy who ends up living at the kennel of Joe Redington.
The Alaskan Happy Dog Trilogy by Mary Shields
Can Dogs Talk? (1991) – Rita and Ryan find out the answer to their question with the help of Mary Shields and her team of huskies.
Loving a Happy Dog (1993) – Rita and Ryan learn the responsibilities that come with owning a new puppy.
Secret Messages – Training a Happy Dog (1994) – Rita and Ryan learn how to train their dog.
Silver
by Gloria Whelan (1988)
illustrated by Stephen Marchesi
Silver is the runt of the litter, but Rachel believes he will be a champion leader. When her father finishes the Iditarod, she discovers Silver is missing and embarks on a search to find him. Grades 2-3.
