Dogsong

Author: Jenny
From: Fords, USA
Age: 13
Date: 27th Dec 2004, 10:02 AM
Rating: 5
Comment:
Title: Dogsong

I love reading books, but I never thought I would write a book review here.:P This is actually my book report about a book called Dogsong. I wrote the first copy, and it ended up being way too long. It was somewhere around 1000 words when I only needed 300. Yeah..that was obviously coming...:P For those of you who know me anyway.:D Haha! Anyway, I rewrote my report, and I gave my mom the short copy...that's only one piece of paper, written on both sides of it.;) Since she has that one, I decided I'd publish my long version of my report here, on Edby. So, I hope you enjoy my story...of Dogsong.

Dogsong by Gary Paulsen is about the journey of a teenager named Russell. Along with a team of sled dogs, he travels to the North, living the old way and searching for his song. This story takes place in Alaska.

Fourteen-year-old Russell Susskit has lived alone with his father in their village in the Alaska territory since his mother left them. Ever since Russell learned about how the Eskimos in the old days had their own song, he's wanted one too, but those were gone. Russell didn't want to believe that. Not only that, but Russell had many things troubling his mind that he didn't understand. He went to his father, and his father explained that he takes his problems to Jesus Christ, for he loves Him very much. That wouldn't work for Russell though, so he went to the village elder, Oogruk. Oogruk gave much wisdom to Russell, and he showed him the many weapons and special clothing Oogruk had that meant to be used. On top of that, Oogruk's team of five sled dogs-the only ones in the village-were now Russell's to run with after being left alone for many years. After training with the dogs-running with them and becoming one with them-Russell began his journey to the North. He was going to preserve until he found his song, like Oogruk told him to do. The journey had begun.

Russell knew how long the trip would take; he had some meat on the sled, but it wasn't going to be enough. Eventually, Russell and the dogs encountered a group of caribou. Instantly the dogs were on the animals, and Russell shot down several with his arrows.The day was done, so Russell made a place for them to sleep. Because of the insights Oogruk gave to Russell, he was able to shoot down enough food to last them a long time. The journey would go on.

As Russell and his dogs continued on they faced many challenges-hunger, exhaustion, and harsh weather mixed with their fierce environment. But they were making it through. They were determined tot complete their excursion.

One night, Russell had a dream during which he saw a tent positioned in the cold, winter wilderness. Inside were a man, his wife, and their two children. They were enjoying themselves, but then the father got out of his covering and walked to a sled near by. Hooked up to it were a team of huge dogs that almost looked like wolves. In this dream, Russell was part of the fog in the sky as he watched the team ride into the wild. Eventually, the dogs stopped in a clearing. At that time, Russell wondered who this man was. Also, he knew they were hunting, but he didn't know what they were hunting. He found out soon enough. Standing in front of them in the fog, a giant creature appeared-a woolly mammoth. After a fierce battle and close call, the man killed the animal. Russell then realized that the man was an older version of himself.

In the morning, the group moved on. Later in the day they ran into an extremely deadly storm, and they nearly lost their lives. But Russell thought fast, and he was able to protect himself and the dogs until the storm passed. When night quickly fell, Russell's same dream continued. He saw the older Russell near a village by the sea. He entered the town and was welcomed also. The villagers and the man spent many hours enjoying each other, but what he didn't know was that his wife and children, who were waiting for him to come home with food, were dying. He didn't remember until much later, and he instantly took off. When the old Russell made it to the tent, his family was dead.

The next day was no better than any other. The bitter weather made it just as difficult. But along the way, Russell saw tracks in the snow. He followed them and found a snowmachine. The dogs kept running, but then they stopped again. Russell was going to make another shelter, but he noticed something in the snow. It was a body of a girl. He made a shelter and brought the girl inside too. That night, Russell thought about what happened in his dream. He fell asleep, but he was suddenly awakened by a start, and he looked at the woman across from him. She was staring at the fire from a lamp Russell had. Once again Russell realized who she was-the same woman from his dream. She had a hope in her eyes, and Russell felt the same fire.

Nancy, as the woman was called, accompanied Russell for the rest of his journey with the dogs. Along the way, he fought a woolly mammoth just like in his dream, and then he faced a polar bear, almost loosing Nancy, but one of his dogs really did lose his life. After loosing yet another soul, Nancy's newly born baby, the two people and the remaining dogs made it to the edge of the North. The made it to the end of their journey, but the true journey is always on. They were all happy for what they did, and they continued to the left, going down the coast to a village nearby. All along, Russell together with his sled dogs, finally found his Dogsong.

At the beginning of his journey, Russell knew that it wasn't going to be easy, but he was going to give it everything he had, and he did just that. Facing challenge after challenge, Russell never gave up, and he overcame it. He never lost hope, and he couldn't do it without his dogteam. They were going on a journey, and they were going to finish it. Together, they made their dream come true.

I loved this book very much. I really enjoyed reading about Russell and his dogs fighting the northern wilderness. Picturing everything in my mind was very fun. I recommend this book to people who like journeys and adventures.(Like me!:D Hope you enjoyed it!!:))


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