A captivating and exciting debut novel. - Superior Outdoors Magazine
I'll say! This book is unlike anything my kids and I have ever read before. I read it out loud to them, and I was a little nervous my fantasy-loving offspring would have a hard time getting into a book about dogsledding. Not to worry! This book grabbed us right away and kept us turning pages straight to the end.
From the back cover:
Twelve-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous dog sled racer. She's an inventive but self-doubting musher who tackles blinding blizzards, wild animal attacks, puppy training, and flying poo missiles. All of her challenges, though, seem easier than living up to the dogs' trust in her abilities.
The writing is so vivid and the descriptions so clear, I felt like I was right there with Rebecca, caring for her dogs, dreaming of becoming a famous musher, and running her first dogsledding race. Details like the sound of the Northern Lights and the smell of Juicy Fruit gum on the breath of the boy she likes put me right in the moment. With a perfect balance of Rebecca's personal life and dogsledding adventures, plus plenty of obstacles to keep me in suspense, Dogled Dreams is a joy to read.
Added bonus #1 - My kids and I learned a lot about a topic we previously knew nothing about, and we had fun doing it. I love a book that educates as well as entertains, especially one I can share with my kids. It even includes a glossary of terms at the end of the book.
Added bonus #2 - By reading Terry Lynn's blog, we continue to learn even more about dogsledding. I especially loved when she posted a photo of the real life Apollo, one of the dogs in the book. If you haven't checked out Terry Lynn's blog, I highly recommend it. And if you haven't read Dogsled Dreams, I highly recommend that as well. :)
How about you? Have you recently tried a book outside your usual genre that you really liked? Have a great Tuesday, everyone!
34 comments:
I've heard some great things about this novel!!!! I've been meaning to snag a copy and this has made me want too!!!!
This story sounds really transporting, the author bringing you right into her own world. And with the blizzards, the Northern Lights, the dogs even, in a way it seems almost like a fantasy story, based in reality!
great review, Suzy, we do love Terry Lyn a lot!
Thanks for the great review, I always worry about those cold doggies!
wow, sounds like a great book!
I just recently read HEAD GAMES by Keri Mikulski which is YA (outside my genre) and I really enjoyed it.
I've heard nothing but great things about this book, and someone did an interview with the author not too long ago, and she sounds like she's got it going on.
I haven't read anything (either inside or out of my genre) in a long time. Waiting to query, then I can read to my heart's content.
Thanks for the review and info to this book!!! It does sound amazing!! I've read so much about this book in other blogs when the author was doing a blog tour and it sounded ever so exciting then! Yay! Take care
x
Terry is great! I love her blog too. And what a great review!
I haven't read outside my genre lately but I have a few waiting for me. Thanks for the great review. This one sounds so good. :)
Awesome review, Suz. I've heard of this book and have meant to snatch a copy. Now I know what I will buy on my next trip to the book store. (((hugs)))
This book is on my tbr list! I've heard such amazing things about this one! =D
Sounds like a good one!
This is one I want to read. Just finished Elana Johnson's book POSSESSION. Definitely out of my genre, but it sucked me right in.
Sounds fantastic! I'm reading some YA right now - which I don't usually do - and it's fantastic!
That sounds like a terrific book. I'm sure going to check it out. Thanks for the review, Susan!
Nice quick review. Thanks for sharing with us.
Be sure to check out my giveaway. :)
Thanks for sharing the great review, Susan! Sounds like a good book.
Great review Susan! I can't wait to read this one, it's moving up my Amazon wishlist :-)
Great review, Susan! I have Dogsled Dreams in my TBR pile.
I read the Uglies series and that was a new genre for me...and I loved it!
I haven't read anything outside my genre lately, although I will be reading Talli Roland's chic lit book The Hating Game soon.
It's been awhile since I pushed out of my literary comfort zone, but my daughter did drag me to True Grit a week or so ago and I really don't do Westerns...ever. But I really liked it. Go figure.
I've heard so many great things about this book. I'm going to follow your example and read it out loud to my daughter. :)
Thanks!
Amy
It sounds great and could be something my son would like. I will put it on my to-read shelf.
I usually just read crime/thrillers. I love them, but have recently branched out into reading chic-lit and I have to say I love it. There's nothing quite like laughing out loud at a book and getting strange looks for it :)
Oh yes, I loved this book as well!
It does sound interesting. I'm into chicklit at the moment (and now I write it!), real life can be so distraught at times it's nice to escape with a good belly-laugh!
Forgot to say I'm a crusader making my rounds!!
I have this in my work bag. Every time I pick it up, some crisis comes up. I will read it soon! My daughter started the book.
I've trying to read from different genres after suffering YA dystopian burnout. Right now, I'm reading Book of Sketches by Jack Kerouac. I almost never read poetry. There's one about rejection, which is what attracted me to it.
I thought I was following your blog, but I guess not. I am now.
I recall watching a dogsled video on Terry Lynn Johnson's site. It was so cool. Actually where the video was shot looked rather cold.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Twitter hashtag: #atozchallenge
This sounds great! I haven't read anything out of my usual recently but I did just buy one that was a little different to what I normally read. It's set in ancient Rome which isn't one of my usual historical periods. I'll be starting reading pretty soon!
Jai
Susan,
This reminds me of that movie Iron Will. I think it's a great story and you've definitely encouraged me to pick up a copy.:)
Sounds super cool! My ten year old just had an iditorod activity at school. Bet he'd like this.
I have a book column, and my readers INSIST that I try every genre. My kids like a lot of different genres now, too. I just wrote a sci fi they thought they wouldn't like and they totally do. Try everything, I say.
Hey Susan, just wanted to let you know that I gave you an award on my blog today :)
Thanks for posting this awesome review!
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