Sunrise Summer by Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr**

 What a fascinating picture book!! A young girl relates her first summer being part of the fishing crew in Alaska. The illustrations are descriptive and humorous. 

The author and his wife, the illustrator, take their family to her famiy's property in a remote area in Alaska to fish for salmon each summer. I was surprised to learn at the end it was based on the author/illustrators' family. Ms. Behr offers more details about salmon fishing in the last four pages.

I was delighted the entire time I read this book!

**Highly, highly recommend this unique book. 

-Borrowed from the library.

Alice in a Winter Wonderland by Jan Brett

 Ms. Brett retells the Alice in Wonderland story by placing it in Alaska.

Alice follows a white rabbit down a moulin in a glacier and experiences events that are " almost right and not exactly wrong". I found the story odd and confusing, BUT the original story IS odd! The Alaskan wildlife and imaginative creatures Ms. Brett depicts are exquisite.

-Borrowed from the library.

Granite by Susan Butcher & David Monson illustrated by Sarah Douglas*

 My parents recently visited Alaska. My mom asked me to request this picture book for her to read.

Susan, a musher, loves her sled dogs. People say she will never win the Iditarod because she babies them. When Granite was born, his knock-knees and timid nature seem like hinderances to becoming a sled dog. Over time he develops into a strong lead sled dog, winning the Iditarod three times. This book relates the trials he and Susan to endure to accomplish this feat.

Sadly in 2006 Susan died of leukemia.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Wild Muir selected and introduced by Lee Stetson*

 The title is apt. I have never read or heard of anyone as continously adventurous as John Muir. The essays  selected from his various publishings display his love for the outdoors and fearlessness. The writing is superb. I especially appreciated the word choice and figurative language. Mr. Stetson is an actor who portrays John Muir.

*Highly recommend for readers who love nature, autobiographies, and essays.

-Borrowed from a friend.

Consideration: one swear word

Cozy in Love by Jan Brett

 Cozy, the musk ox, is discouraged. Losing in a bashing contest, he bemoans how now he would not win the affections of Lofti, a beautiful female musk ox. He soon forgets his disappointment when Puffin alerts him to how Bella, the beluga whale, is in danger. Using science, he rescues and then enjoys a wonderful reward!

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Two Old Women by Velma Wallis*

 An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival

Ms. Wallis relates a story her mother shared with her when she was a youth. Ms. Wallis views stories from elders to youth as a gift. In her introduction she laments how television has stolen these opportunities to sit with elders and hear their stories. This book was published in 1993 before smart phones, tablets etc!

The People, part of the Gwich'in band in Alaska, were suffering from malnutrition and starvation during this hard winter. Food was scarce. Sometimes The People would leave behind the weak, elderly people for "the good" of the rest of the tribe. The chief decided that they must leave behind Ch'idzigyaak (in her 80s) and Sa' (in her 70s). The two women are shocked. They are not weak (although they have complained about their age and their inability to do work like they used to) and know they would not hinder the group. 

The women set out to prove The People wrong and discover they are still strong and capable of survival. An amazing story of survival and forgiveness.

A good book to stimulate thoughts about complaining, aging, how to view and care for the elderly, and the importance of remaining physically active.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

 

Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg

Terpsichore and her family move to Alaska during the Great Depression through a plan of FDR.  As she and her family adjust to the meager resources and delayed building projects, Terpsichore discovers ways she can utilize her gifts and interests (like starting a library and growing massive pumpkins).  

This novel is brimming with interesting details based on a real-life colony called Palmer.  Ms. Dagg thoroughly researched this time period and provides numerous opportunities to bolt down "rabbit trails".  

At first I was not sure if I was going to enjoy this story but when Terpsichore and her family arrived at the Alaska village, the plot became more interesting.  Another reason I did not fully embrace this novel was I am not a fan of FDR and his New Deal.  I sided with Terpsichore's father! Also, I do not know if I had a favorite character and am leaning to the opinion that the character development was lacking. 

*I can highly recommend this book for its solid historical information, descriptive setting,  and excellent writing style.  

-Borrowed from the library.

Bo at Ballard Creek by Kirkpatrick Hill illustrated by Leuyen Pham

 When Bo was a baby, her mother, who was a "good-time" girl, handed her off to Arvid, a blacksmith in a mining camp, telling him to take her to an orphange.  Arvid did not know what to do with the baby.  Jack, a cook at the mining camp, pitched in to help Arvid.  Both of them decided they could not leave Bo at an orphange and committed to raise her together.   

The story takes place when is Bo five-years-old, loving her life with two miners as her papas and experiencing the miner camp with many interesting miners, Eskimos and two good-time girls.  While reading this book, the reader will learn a lot about the life of a miner, the Alaskan natives, and life during the 1920s. The characters are likable and humorous.

Ms. Pham's illustrations are adorable.  

Points to discuss/warnings: two papas (no hint that they are romantically involved-they have just agreed to raise Bo together), swearing-a few times, "good-time girls", smoking, drinking, the kids like looking at naked pictures in the National Geographic magazines, one miner explains rocks/life via evolutionary/old earth lens.

-Borrowed from the library.

Cozy by Jan Brett

 Cozy, an Alaskan musk ox, is separated from his family during a storm.  Various creatures arrive to huddle under his comforting fur.  Can the different animals (which are sometimes enemies) be kind to each other in the close quarters all winter?

This book reminded me of Ms. Brett's The Mitten book.  To teach the concept of compare/contrast, compare this book to The Mitten.  

Once again her borders extend the story and also allow for the reader to predict the events on the next page. I especially liked the end pages which I think were depicting various types of lichen. 

Strategies: compare/contrast-venn diagram, predicting

-Borrowed from the library.

The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill*

My sister-in-law read this book aloud to my four year old nephew/her son and recommended it to me.

Frederika (aka Fred) narrates about the year Miss Agnes teaches in their one-room schoolhouse in rural Alaska.  Miss Agnes is not the like the other teachers.  She packs up the Dick and Jane readers and writes her own stories for them to read!  In all the subjects she makes learning come alive and relevant.  Soon the children's learning spreads to adults in the fishing village.  The question that hangs heavily in the air, "But will she stay beyond a year?".  Most teachers only last one year in this unique area of the world. 
This book reveals the far reaching impact of education.
Miss Agnes is the kind of teacher who inspires . . . she is the ideal teacher.
Strategies: inferring, asking questions
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Crossing the Waters by Leslie Leyland Fields*

Recently I listened to Focus on the Family's podcast featuring Mrs. Fields and read an article by her in Focus' magazine.  Intrigued by her life living as a fisherwoman with her husband and six children, I searched for this book to read.
Mrs. Fields beautifully weaves together stories from her life, her trip to Israel and selections about the disciples and Jesus.  Her thought-provoking questions in the study guide will allow one to develop a deeper faith.
Some points I want to remember:
1. Do I have ears to hear His truth?  Is my heart full of good soil?
2. If everything is striped away in my life, is Jesus enough?  Miracles alone do not produce faith and a relationship with Christ.
3. Jesus may not chase away the storms in my life, but he is in the boat with me.
4. Do I create Jesus in my own image and limit Him?
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed via inter-library loan.

The Great Serum Race by Debbie S. Miller illustrated by Jon Van Zyle

Blazing the Iditarod Trail 
I have read numerous books about Balto.  This book, however, follows all of the mushers and their dogs.  Special tribute is given to Togo, one of the lead dogs.
The book brings to life the struggles the mushers and dog sled teams had against the elements.
An engaging read!
*Borrowed from the library.

Sled Dogs Run by Jonathan London illustrated by Jon Van Zyle

For the first time a girl trains her three huskies to pull a sled.  Then one winter day, by herself, she is able to enjoy her hard work by a day on the sled.
*Borrowed from the library.

Nancy Drew Diaries #1 Curse of the Arctic Star by Carolyn Keene

Nancy's friend Becca asks her to travel on the Arctic Star cruise ship when it embarks on its maiden voyage to Alaska.  Threats have been made and suspicious events have been occurring.  Can Nancy along with George and Bess figure out who the culprit is before the Arctic Star has a bad reputation?
This mystery was not as well developed as other ones I have read recently.  I found myself becoming frustrated at all of the interruptions that prevented Nancy and her friends from solving the case.
By the end of the book the major crime is solved but there are still loose ends.  To find out the answers to other mishaps, the reader will have to read book number two, Strangers on a Train.
Point to discuss: Bess' boyfriend Alan is along.  The foursome share a suite but not bedrooms.  Bess and Alan do not "do" anything inappropriate-just hold hands or a kiss on the cheek.  This relationship is consistent to the Nancy Drew series first written in the 1930's.

Race the Wild-Arctic Freeze #3 by Kristin Earhart illustrated by Eda Kaban*

My third grader read this book to himself.
A team of four children-Dev, Sage, Russell, and Mari-have signed up for the Race the Wild challenge.  All over the world they compete against other teams to finish races which take place in . . .the wild.  In this book the children must survive in Alaska.
My son said he really liked the book.  "I like that the kids raced sled dogs.  I have never done that and think that would be really cool.  I also thought it was interesting that Mt. McKinley grows a  millimeter each year."
The author intersperses "creature features" and geographical fact pages throughout the book.  So the reader can enjoy an exciting adventure and learn some interesting facts about the area.
Other books in the series:
1. Rain Forest Relay
2.  Great Reef Games
4. Savanna Showdown
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: R (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4th grade

Stay Alive #1: Crash by Joseph Monninger

The Junior Action News Team was flying to Alaska to film about the Iditarod when their plane crashed into a remote Alaska lake.  The pilot dies as the plane lands.  The team now must work together to survive with little food or equipment.
This book certainly will keep readers engrossed as they experience the characters' agony as they wonder if anyone is looking for them and as they wait and wait  and try to "stay alive".
I did not like the fact that a few characters die.
A plot-driven book-very exciting.
Guided Reading Level: V (5th/6th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 5th grade
More titles in this series: #2-Cave In, #3 Breakdown, #4 Flood
Link to series:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Stay%20Alive%20Series%22?Ns=P_Series_Number&Ntk=P_Series_Title&Ntx=mode%20matchall

Balto and the Great Race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel illustrated by Nora Koerber*

My second grade checked this out of his school's library.
He liked it because he thought it was amazing that Balto knew exactly where to go and knew when the ice was too thin.
Not only does this story relate how Balto brings an antitoxin serum to relieve the Nome residents who have succumbed to diphtheria, it also shares the aftermath of Balto's life until his death.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: P (3rd grade)
Grade Level Equivalency: 3.5

Disaster Strikes -Volcano Blast by Marlane Kennedy*

Siblings Noah and Emma take a vacation with their parents to Alaska where their father, a volcanologist, wanted to study a stratovolcano.  Noah is less than thrilled.  Then he, his sister and new friend Alex find themselves contending with a dangerous volcanic explosion.
My second grader read this book to himself and enjoyed it.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: Q (beginning of 4th grade)

The Salmon Princess An Alaska Cinderella Story by Mindy Dwyer*

When a salmon fisherman remarries, his daughter is stuck gutting all the fish he and his stepsons catch.  When the Silver Salmon festival arrives, she longs to dance and enjoy festivities.  A magical Eagle helps her achieve this dream and her life is forever changed.
A very clever twist on the traditional Cinderella.  Heaps of Alaskan culture!
Lots of similes!
Strategies-inferring (character traits, feelings, similes), connections (T-T)
*Highly recommend.

The Bravest Dog Ever The True Story of Balto by Natalie Standiford illustrated by Donald Cook*

Step into Reading Step 3  (Grades 1-3)
A perfect simplified version of the diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska and how dogsled teams and ultimately Balto and Gunnar deliver the medicine in record time.
Great as  a read aloud for a preschooler who is ready for longer texts.
Text features: map, one pronunciation
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: check for understanding, determining importance: cause/effect, sequencing, main idea, inferring