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Adventure USA - ALASKA! Danger on the Mushing Trail
Eleven-year-old Josh Parker wants nothing to do with dogs. Years earlier, a vicious dog attack left him with a crippling fear he believes he can't overcome. Yet here he is, stuck in the middle of rural Alaska with his older cousin Brent, a competitive sled dog racer with his own kennel. When his travel-blogging parents drop off Josh and his twin sister, Lizzie, for several weeks, Josh tries to hide his fear. After all, dog sledding is everything to Brent, who hopes to win the upcoming county finals race and its highly coveted prize. Brent's friend, Hank, is also desperate for a win and apparently will stop at nothing to beat his competition. Suspicious of Hank's methods, Josh confronts his cousin, but Brent brushes off his concern. Then, with a blizzard advancing, a training run turns disastrous, and Hank's life is in Josh's hands. Will Josh be able to conquer his fear and get them home alive? Readers aged 8-12 years old will love this story of courage and determination in our 49th state. Rich with details about Alaska and the sport of sled dog sprint racing, this fast-paced adventure will have readers on the edge of their seat. Superb storytelling with strong characters and a plot filled with twists and turns will entice readers of every age, including parents, educators, and reluctant readers.
158 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 12, 2024
This middle-grade novel hits the mark for its combination of excitement and relatable characters. Eleven-year-old twins Lizzie and Josh are visiting with their 16-year-old cousin, Brent, in rural Alaska. Brent, an enthusiastic sled-dog racer, wants to include his cousins in his dogsledding runs, which is just fine with Lizzie. Josh, however, has a secret: he is terrified of dogs, and has been ever since he was badly bitten by a German Shepherd. Brent's dogs look a lot like the dog which attacked him, and Josh's fears wash over him every time he hears them yap or sees them strain at the restraints which attach them to their kennels. But he can't let his older cousin think he's a baby, can he? He must try to hide his fear and go along with Lizzie's enthusiastic involvement in their cousin's sledding life. Even if that means hanging out with dogs.
Brent's neighbor and friend, Hank, is also a competitive dogsled racer. He picks up on Josh's fear right away and taunts him about it. He easily becomes someone Josh despises. One of Hank's dogs has a bad limp, which he tosses off as something minor. But a dog that he gave to Brent is also suddenly limping. And when Josh is awakened by barking dogs in the nighttime, he's almost sure he sees somene in the dog yard, a tall figure moving in the shadows. He begins to suspect that Hank isn't the clean competitor Brent believes he is. And when he and Lizzie see what looks like the end of a whip on Hank's dogsled, Josh is almost sure Hank was the figure he saw in the middle of the night. Could Hank be mistreating Brent's dogs? And his own, as well? Even though Josh is afraid of those dogs, he hates to see any living thing mistreated. But what can he do? Hank is his cousin's friend. Brent trusts him. So Josh stays silent.
But Josh's fears and suspicions collide when Brent takes the twins on a training run along with Hank and his team. When a sudden snowstorm blows in, Hank is injured and Josh is left alone with him and the dogs while Brent and Lizzie go for help. Soon, visibility is near zero, and deep cold is setting in. Josh realizes it will be up to him to get both of them and the dogs home to safety. But has he learned enough to handle the sled? And will he be able to conquer his fear of the dogs and get them hooked up properly? He's with someone he dislikes and doesn't trust, and with dogs he doesn't trust. Even if he gets them hooked up properly, will the dogs trust him enough to obey his commands? If not, they are all surely lost for good.
The plot by itself would engage middle-grade readers, but the nearly seamless way in which Ms. Failing interweaves information about the setting and, especially, the world of dogsled racing, means that readers (no matter their ages) are learning a lot while they're turning the pages and wondering what will happen to Josh, Lizzie, Brent, Hank, and all the dogs. It's evident that the author has done her research, and the book includes some illustrations that help clarify the parts of a dog sled and how dogs are housed and transported. Teachers could easily include this book in their lessons about the state of Alaska and/or the Iditarod. It would make a great read-aloud for a classroom, as well. This first book in the "Adventure USA" series will have readers begging for more. Fortunately for them, the second book was just recently published. Further adventures await, courtesy Barbara Larmon Failing.
Brent's neighbor and friend, Hank, is also a competitive dogsled racer. He picks up on Josh's fear right away and taunts him about it. He easily becomes someone Josh despises. One of Hank's dogs has a bad limp, which he tosses off as something minor. But a dog that he gave to Brent is also suddenly limping. And when Josh is awakened by barking dogs in the nighttime, he's almost sure he sees somene in the dog yard, a tall figure moving in the shadows. He begins to suspect that Hank isn't the clean competitor Brent believes he is. And when he and Lizzie see what looks like the end of a whip on Hank's dogsled, Josh is almost sure Hank was the figure he saw in the middle of the night. Could Hank be mistreating Brent's dogs? And his own, as well? Even though Josh is afraid of those dogs, he hates to see any living thing mistreated. But what can he do? Hank is his cousin's friend. Brent trusts him. So Josh stays silent.
But Josh's fears and suspicions collide when Brent takes the twins on a training run along with Hank and his team. When a sudden snowstorm blows in, Hank is injured and Josh is left alone with him and the dogs while Brent and Lizzie go for help. Soon, visibility is near zero, and deep cold is setting in. Josh realizes it will be up to him to get both of them and the dogs home to safety. But has he learned enough to handle the sled? And will he be able to conquer his fear of the dogs and get them hooked up properly? He's with someone he dislikes and doesn't trust, and with dogs he doesn't trust. Even if he gets them hooked up properly, will the dogs trust him enough to obey his commands? If not, they are all surely lost for good.
The plot by itself would engage middle-grade readers, but the nearly seamless way in which Ms. Failing interweaves information about the setting and, especially, the world of dogsled racing, means that readers (no matter their ages) are learning a lot while they're turning the pages and wondering what will happen to Josh, Lizzie, Brent, Hank, and all the dogs. It's evident that the author has done her research, and the book includes some illustrations that help clarify the parts of a dog sled and how dogs are housed and transported. Teachers could easily include this book in their lessons about the state of Alaska and/or the Iditarod. It would make a great read-aloud for a classroom, as well. This first book in the "Adventure USA" series will have readers begging for more. Fortunately for them, the second book was just recently published. Further adventures await, courtesy Barbara Larmon Failing.
October 29, 2023
I’ve been pre-reading books to pass on to my 8 year old granddaughter, a voracious reader. I am happy to review Adventure USA Alaska! Danger on the Mushing Trail.
The story arc of this Alaskan tale is especially appropriate for young would-be adventurers who need to overcome their fears and risk aversion.
A main character, Josh, leads young readers on a journey from fear to self-affirmation. Along the way he has the support of his twin sister, Lizzie; his accomplished cousin, Brent; and the rest of his family. The book is securely grounded in facts about Alaska, sled dog handling and racing, and survival in a sometimes frigid environment. A map, the labeled illustration of a dog racing sled, a glossary, and a list of “Thinking about” questions contribute to a young reader’s learning potential. At the same time, endearing personal touches such as the description of Brent’s “cooker,” (given to him by an ex-musher) which could melt snow or “even make spaghetti” spark the story and characters to life.
A former teacher and military spouse, the author is a trustworthy and knowledgeable guide. She is donating a portion of proceeds from sales to One Dublin (website one-dublin.org), an organization which celebrates diversity and is committed to “help one another in times of need…”
At the end of this Alaskan adventure story, the author gives us the first chapter of Josh and Lizzie’s next adventure: Massachusetts! The Stolen Spyglass. My granddaughter and I will be following along.
The story arc of this Alaskan tale is especially appropriate for young would-be adventurers who need to overcome their fears and risk aversion.
A main character, Josh, leads young readers on a journey from fear to self-affirmation. Along the way he has the support of his twin sister, Lizzie; his accomplished cousin, Brent; and the rest of his family. The book is securely grounded in facts about Alaska, sled dog handling and racing, and survival in a sometimes frigid environment. A map, the labeled illustration of a dog racing sled, a glossary, and a list of “Thinking about” questions contribute to a young reader’s learning potential. At the same time, endearing personal touches such as the description of Brent’s “cooker,” (given to him by an ex-musher) which could melt snow or “even make spaghetti” spark the story and characters to life.
A former teacher and military spouse, the author is a trustworthy and knowledgeable guide. She is donating a portion of proceeds from sales to One Dublin (website one-dublin.org), an organization which celebrates diversity and is committed to “help one another in times of need…”
At the end of this Alaskan adventure story, the author gives us the first chapter of Josh and Lizzie’s next adventure: Massachusetts! The Stolen Spyglass. My granddaughter and I will be following along.
September 2, 2023
Josh and Lizzie are visiting their cousin Brent in Alaska, which is the perfect time to learn about the history and culture. Josh was bitten by a dog when he was young, and he finds to his dismay that Brent has a whole team of sled dogs and is hoping Josh will help train them for the junior Iditarod. Josh doesn't like dogs, but he doesn't want to see them hurt, so when he spots a fellow musher acting suspicious, he has to overcome his fear and find a way to get everyone home safe.
A snappy adventure with tons of facts and a lot of heart. It was a pleasure to read.
A snappy adventure with tons of facts and a lot of heart. It was a pleasure to read.
January 22, 2025
A nice boy vs nature set in Alaska with a team of sled dogs. Upper elementary readers who are not yet ready for Hatchet will love this adventure and be able to relate to Josh as he overcomes his fear of dogs to save not only his life, but those of others. Well researched and includes a glossary and reflection questions.
March 22, 2025
Barbara Larmon Failing does a great opening chapter in the Adventure USA series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the concept to this book. The characters were everything that I was wanting and thought worked well as a storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews