"Dogsong" By Gary Paulsen

Title: Dogsong
Author: Gary Paulsen
Published Year: 1985
Pages: 177
Awards: Newberry Honor Book

Dogsong takes the reader on a journey of inspiration and discovery. Taking place in a winter home for Eskimos, the boy that is the main character is en Eskimo descendant that has been modernized. I'm not talking like today's modernization, but during the time where fur trappers and outsiders begin intermingling with the Native Americans, teaching them religion and modern ways. He lives his life between two villages, a summer one and a winter one since the summer one is only good for fishing, it has become too harsh to live in during the winter. Despite living in a village where his father is a devout religious man and there are snowplows that push the snow away, he still yearns to learn of the old ways. Luckily for him there is still one old man in the village who is set in the old ways and is willing to tell the stories of old. The young boy listens to these stories and based on the old stories decides to take the old man's sled dogs out and go out on a dog sled adventure which he has never done before in his life.

The story follows his adventures, such as learning to hunt the old way and rescuing a pregnant Eskimo girl. His story brings bounds of self-discovery and learning of the old ways.

At times the story can be confusing at it weaves between what is really going on in his journey of self-discovery and the dreams he has while on the journey. If you get side-tracked easily, not a good choice. The book is aimed at the young adult crowd is the audience this is aimed at which is true to most of Paulsen's books. If you're going to give the book to a kid that the book is directed at, it would be a good idea to read it with them so they understand and can communicate with you about what is going on in the book.