Big Books of 2026
Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

Questions About Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

by Gary Paulsen

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Answered Questions (2)

Is there any inappropriate content in this book - sexual content, foul language? My daughter was assigned to read A Walk in the Woods - of which I am not okay with. She was given two other options to choose from - Winter Dance and Walden. I was able to find reviews on Common Sense Media of Walden and it seems ok, but I'm not finding for Winter Dance. I need to know asap if someone could reply quickly. Thank you!
Graham Bradley Sorry for commenting a year after the fact, but this is for other parents who might have your same question:

"Walk in the Woods" doesn't hold a candle …moreSorry for commenting a year after the fact, but this is for other parents who might have your same question:

"Walk in the Woods" doesn't hold a candle to this book in terms of its quality or merit. "Winterdance" has about half a dozen f-bombs, as many or more s-bombs, and several g-damns, the majority of which all come from dialogue and quotes Paulsen attributes to other people in the book.

(And given the context of the language, and the circumstances that brought it on--moose attacks, etc--it's at least defensible.)

As a father of three kids under ten, I would still recommend it, but this is a good book to read along with your daughter so that you can teach her--among many other things this book can teach--the circumstances under which people use such intense profanity, and why these circumstances are not all created equal.

The other things Paulsen learns from his journey as chronicled in this book are very valuable. (less)
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My third graders are very interested in the Iditarod and have enjoyed other Gary Paulson books. Is this appropriate for a read aloud. Can't decide if I should order it with my own budget (I'm reading it anyway) or for my classroom. Is this book appropriate for them?
Bethany Would read to my own kids, would probably not read to a class. I have 6th graders whose parent preferences & reading habits I know that I could hand t…moreWould read to my own kids, would probably not read to a class. I have 6th graders whose parent preferences & reading habits I know that I could hand this to in a heartbeat...but for a mixed classroom setting, esp. 4th grade, I'd say no. You know your class best & also how well you do at editing on the fly while reading aloud - maybe read first and see? It's a delightful read, funny and gripping, and quick. (less)
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