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The legendary story of Balto comes to life in this heavily illustrated nonfiction chapter book series, perfect for fans of Ranger in Time! In 1925, disaster struck the small town of Nome, Alaska. When a deadly epidemic begins affecting the children of Nome, their only hope is to relay life-saving medicine over 650 miles of snow-covered trails using teams of sled dogs. Across the long journey, one dog overcame nearly impossible odds to become a hero. This action-packed series explores the stories of real-life animal heroes who saved the day! With black-and-white art throughout and dramatic storytelling, readers are taken on an exciting journey they won't soon forget. Fans of Ranger in Time will devour these true tales of incredible animal heroes!
- GenresNonfictionChildrens
96 pages, Paperback
Published August 2, 2022
5 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Emma Carlson Berne
323 books145 followersEmma Carlson Berne is the author of the YA thrillers STILL WATERS and NEVER LET YOU GO (coming Fall 2012 from Simon & Schuster). She has also written the thrillers FIGMENT and CHOKER under the pen name Elizabeth Woods. She lives and writes in Cincinnati. Learn more about Emma and contact her directly at her website, www.emmacarlsonberne.com. Or check out Emma Carlson Berne Books on http://www.facebook.com/EmmaCarlsonBe... or follow her on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 10, 2022
First sentence: Balto twisted his neck to look at the strange leather straps on his belly. Another strap was fastened tightly across his chest. He chewed at it.
Premise/plot: Balto is a nonfiction early chapter book. In 1925, Nome, Alaska, was experiencing a serious epidemic--diphtheria. Children were dying....but there was no way to get the much-needed medical treatment to the town in winter. The town desperately needed the antitoxin serum, but, the only way to transport it there was by dog sleds. So begins a dog sled relay that covers 650 miles... Balto was ONE of many dogs on many dog sled teams. But he was the lead dog on the last leg of the journey.
My thoughts: If I had been brave at any point of my life, then I probably would have heard of these heroic dogs long before now. But alas, dogs on covers of books were never quite my thing (as a kid). I found this (narrative) nonfiction book fascinating. I loved the history. I loved the illustrations. I liked everything about it.
Premise/plot: Balto is a nonfiction early chapter book. In 1925, Nome, Alaska, was experiencing a serious epidemic--diphtheria. Children were dying....but there was no way to get the much-needed medical treatment to the town in winter. The town desperately needed the antitoxin serum, but, the only way to transport it there was by dog sleds. So begins a dog sled relay that covers 650 miles... Balto was ONE of many dogs on many dog sled teams. But he was the lead dog on the last leg of the journey.
My thoughts: If I had been brave at any point of my life, then I probably would have heard of these heroic dogs long before now. But alas, dogs on covers of books were never quite my thing (as a kid). I found this (narrative) nonfiction book fascinating. I loved the history. I loved the illustrations. I liked everything about it.
January 8, 2025
Love that Balto dog.
November 11, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In 1925, Nome, Alaska was hard to access at certain times of the year. Airplanes were still not reliable, so teams of dog sleds were often the only way in or out. When a diptheria epidemic was identified and killed several children, it was necessary to get the antitoxin serum from the mainland US to the city. The process of getting the sled dog teams through treacherous weather conditions is interesting and has been told in Osborne's 2016 Balto of the Blue Dawn (Magic Tree House #54) and Klimo's 2014 Togo (Dog Diaries #4) , as well as other books, but this book had so much more back information that I learned a LOT.
We find out more about Balto's beginnings, and how Leonard Seppala trained him and had him working at the Hammon Consolidated Gold Fields. We also get to know Togo, who was twelve when he went 261 through all sorts of hazardous conditions before turning the serum over to Charlie Olsen's team. There are so many details I didn't know, and it was great to see the entire event covered in one book. It was also good that the fame of the dogs, and all the places that they traveled to meet people was covered.
The illustrations are great, and the emotions on the dogs' faces were rather amusing. I'm interested to see what the other titles in this series would be. It's a great length and set in a font size that is perfect for 2nd-5th graders. I would have adored these as a child, and it's a great title to fans of Stier's A Dog's Day books.
In 1925, Nome, Alaska was hard to access at certain times of the year. Airplanes were still not reliable, so teams of dog sleds were often the only way in or out. When a diptheria epidemic was identified and killed several children, it was necessary to get the antitoxin serum from the mainland US to the city. The process of getting the sled dog teams through treacherous weather conditions is interesting and has been told in Osborne's 2016 Balto of the Blue Dawn (Magic Tree House #54) and Klimo's 2014 Togo (Dog Diaries #4) , as well as other books, but this book had so much more back information that I learned a LOT.
We find out more about Balto's beginnings, and how Leonard Seppala trained him and had him working at the Hammon Consolidated Gold Fields. We also get to know Togo, who was twelve when he went 261 through all sorts of hazardous conditions before turning the serum over to Charlie Olsen's team. There are so many details I didn't know, and it was great to see the entire event covered in one book. It was also good that the fame of the dogs, and all the places that they traveled to meet people was covered.
The illustrations are great, and the emotions on the dogs' faces were rather amusing. I'm interested to see what the other titles in this series would be. It's a great length and set in a font size that is perfect for 2nd-5th graders. I would have adored these as a child, and it's a great title to fans of Stier's A Dog's Day books.
February 20, 2025
Of the two Balto chapter books we read, I think I preferred this one, especially for read-aloud purposes. There were more images along the way, and I also thought it did a really nice job of trying to present the whole picture - there was an explanation towards the end about why Balto ended up being the hero of the whole Nenana to Nome trip...that even though everyone contributed, people find it easier to focus on something smaller / someone individual rather that recognizing the full complexity, and I thought that was just so well said and important to include, even (or especially) in books aimed at kids. I personally also found it interesting that there were some differences in details between the two books, and it made me really curious about which was the truth and how each other author determined the information - it would make for an interesting deep dive with kids to keep track of some of those things and then research them!
October 28, 2022
Quick chapter book look at the famous dog hero Balto. Love how author mentioned the Native Alaskan sledders’ indigenous groups. The latter animosity over sled dog Togo and his importance in the serum run is also mentioned. Did I know Balto died in Cleveland zoo? Need to re read Meghan McCarthy’s Balto book again. Also need to re read Togo by Robert J Blake (listed in bib). Requested next book in animal rescue series: Sergeant Reckless (like Togo, a former Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee (and winner))
May 10, 2023
This was even better than I expected! I knew the basic story of Balto (thanks, Molly of Denali!), but the full account is remarkable. I didn't realize how many people and dog teams it took to make this extremely dangerous trip happen. Despite knowing how it ends, the author injected enough drama to make me nervous while reading this to my 7 yo!
November 30, 2023
I think this would be a great book to read with my students in reading groups. Some parts may be hard for some students, but as a true and important story, I think the author handles it well. The illustrations are beautiful and well times. I especially loved the full page spread ones.
January 27, 2025
This came from the state of Florida’s reading program in the mail because she is “struggling” on her state tests. She is in third grade and I had her read 1 paragraph per chapter and I read the rest outloud. She did ask to read the 2nd night we were reading it, which makes it a 5star!
July 27, 2023
It is literally the best book ever I had to go to the hospital to get a X-Ray of my ankle and brought it with me and it also turned out my ankle was
sprained
sprained
August 21, 2023
Es un libro infantil, lo leí porque era en inglés y quiero mejorar y la verdad que es bastante aceptable el lenguaje para que lo entienda
December 13, 2024
loved loved this might be the best book of 2024 I've read 10 out 10
December 15, 2025
I loved this! It is such an interesting, real story that I think will fascinate a lot of kids. This would be great for boys who think that fiction books are silly and "uncool."
January 24, 2026
I've read several books about Balto and this one is among the best. I highly recommend it for young readers! In my opinion, this book is most appropriate for students in grades 2-4.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews