Far North Adventure

With the annual running of the Iditarod coming up, it’s a great time to go back to some old favorite adventure novels.  The books of Jack London have always been a favorite of mine along with some of Gary Paulsen’s. I still remember reading them in middle school.

For some other great winter adventure and mystery titles, check out Sue Henry or Dana Stabenow

If you like graphic novels, there is an adult graphic novel called MUSH!: Sled Dogs with Issues by Glenn Eichler, that is a little off color but funny nevertheless.

For teens, there is a new “Jack London” adventure series to check out.  The little ones might enjoy watching Balto and Balto II, as well.

Here are some informational facts about the race and dog sledding in general.

• The Iditarod will start March 3, 2013 from Willow, Alaska to Nome, Alaska.  
• Ric Swenson has won the Iditarod race five times over three different decades.  
• The Iditarod commemorates the famous race to get the diphtheria vaccine to the community of Nome in the middle of winter in 1925.
• The Yukon Quest is an international sled dog race that runs 1,000 miles between Whitehorse in Yukon, Canada and Fairbanks, Alaska.  They alternate the direction that the race is run each year.  This year's will be run on February 2, 2013.
• These races are not just for the men and there is an ever increasing number of female mushers every year.  A couple of the more famous ones are: Susan Butcher, Libby Riddles, Aliy Zirkle, and DeeDee Jonrowe.

Joan Dudzinski

Information Specialist