The Iditarod

“Adrenaline-pumping . . . [A] polished action mystery . . . [with] dazzling Arctic sights.” —Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review Winner of the Macavity Award and the Anthony Award Murder on the Iditarod Trail is a gripping mystery set during Alaska’s world-famous Iditarod: a grueling eleven-hundred-mile dogsled race across hazardous Arctic terrain. It is an arduous sport, but not a deadly one. But suddenly the top Iditarod contestants are dying in bizarre ways: first a veteran musher smashes into a tree, then competitors begin turning up dead, with each murder more brutal than the last. State trooper Alex Jensen begins a homicide investigation, determined to track down the killer before more blood stains the pristine Alaskan snow. Meanwhile, Jessie Arnold, Alaska’s premier female musher, has a shot at winning for the first time. But as her position in the race improves, so do her chances of being the killer’s next target. As the mushers thread their way through the treacherous trails, Jessie and Jensen are drawn deep into the frozen heart of the perilous wild: where nature can kill as easily as a bullet and only the Arctic night can hear your final screams. “Engrossing . . . The howling winds, the snow, the ice, the dancing away from wolves, the crazing fatigue, the welcome heat and food, are almost palpable.” —Los Angeles Times Book Review “Excellent . . . well-paced, well-conceived, engrossing . . . moves along like a healthy, well-trained dog team.” —The Anchorage Times “A book that will give you a feel for how the Iditarod is . . . Sue Henry has a genius for characterization, plot, and setting.” —Mystery News

Paulsen and his team of dogs endured snowstorms, frostbite, dogfights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, and hallucinations in the relentless push to go on. Map and color photographs.

Akiak the sled dog refuses to give up after being injured during the Iditarod sled dog race.

On a moonlit winter night, a team of dogs pulls a sled, taking the narrator and readers on a wondrous ride through the snow, into and out of the woods. It is a ride you'll wish would never end. Through this exquisite prose poem, Gary Paulsen shares the joy, the beauty, and the grandeur of the outdoors. With his joyous text and Ruth Wright Paulsen's exuberant and expressive illustrations, Dogteam is a celebration of nature, a dance that invites everyone to join in.

It's hard to fathom what it would be like crossing 1,100 miles (1,770 km) of Alaskan wilderness on a dogsled. The frigid conditions alone would make many adventurers think twice about this challenge. Throw in unexpected encounters with angry moose and dangerous journeys across melting lakes, and readers have an idea of what the remarkable race called the Iditarod is all about. From its heroic beginnings to its most amazing winners, all aspects of this dogsled race are covered with special attention to the real athletes, the dogs!

Describes the characteristics and training of dogs worthy of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska, and presents a collection of color photos of husky puppies and racing adults.

Every year, dozens of mushers and even more dogs take part in an icy dogsled race across Alaska, crossing mountain ranges and frozen bodies of water. The Iditarod, often referred to as the "last great race on Earth," is a unique event with a rich history. Readers will learn about this wild race and see how racers overcome incredible obstacles along the way. Low-level text helps struggling readers understand this high-interest event, while colorful photographs give readers an up-close look at the race's harsh course.

Recalls the history of the Iditarod dog sled race, including some of its greatest mushers and dogs, and explains how teams and volunteers prepare for and run this famous Alaskan race.