The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

Author: Natalie Standiford

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Random House

Copyright Date: 1989

Number of Pages: 48

Awards: Puffin Award, Alaska Association of School Librarians, 1992

Grade Level: 1-3

Summary:

When children in Nome, Alaska fall ill with diphtheria during the winter of 1925, blizzard conditions make all forms of travel hazardous. The medicine to save the children is stuck 700 miles away. Their only hope lies with a dog sled relay team consisting of 21 dogs. Balto leads his team through their leg of the relay, braving subzero conditions, driving snow, and icy rivers, but when they get to the meeting point to hand the medicine off to the final team, there is no one there. Exhausted and freezing, will Balto be able to make the final leg and deliver the life-saving medicine?

Use in Teaching:

Balto is a great book to read prior to the start of the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race (begins first Saturday in March each year). Students could research personal stories from previous contestants and give a brief report to the class based on the narratives. Once the race begins students can track the progress of the teams and calculate the distance traveled and distance remaining. 

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot which includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: The story of Balto certainly contains all the elements of a good plot structure. Natalie Standiford, does a good job of helping the reader visualize the events that happened in 1925 through her use of the plot elements.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: Despite the main character being based on a dog from 1925 the character of Balto is loveable. The children that are ill aren’t well known characters but the reader finds themselves connected to these characters.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing moves along nicely as the story of Balto unfolds. Action packed and heroic, the reader is drawn in by the pacing.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: Highly recommended for the accurate portrayal and heartwarming tale of heroism.