Black Star, Bright Dawn [Paperback]

Scott O'Dell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2008 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In this redesigned edition of Scott O'Dell's classic novel, a young Eskimo girl encounters frightening obstacles when she takes her father's place in the Iditarod, the annual 1,172-mile dogsled race in Alaska.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Most young girls' experiences never involve hunting bearded seals on the ice, even within the Alaskan Eskimo culture. In Scott O'Dell's gripping novel, Bright Dawn is an exception. In her father's eyes, she became his son's replacement ever since her brother drowned. When Bright Dawn is 18 years old, her father, recently injured, insists that she take his place in the Iditarod, the famous Alaskan dogsled race covering more than a thousand miles between Anchorage and Nome. Unflinching, yet trembling in her mukluks, she faces her challenge head-on.

Bright Dawn proves herself to be a strong, courageous heroine--crossing rivers, mountain ranges, and vast stretches of frozen tundra--with her team of dogs, including the lead Black Star. While the rush of wind and relentless, blinding stretches of ice are exhilarating, the dangers involved make Bright Dawn realize that it's not only the race, but her life that she's entrusting to her team of dogs. O'Dell, author of the Newbery Award-winning Island of the Blue Dolphins, has created an intense, suspenseful, clearly written adventure story that's sure to capture the imagination of young readers and take them for a blustery ride. (Ages 9 to 12) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

When her father is injured while training for the Iditarod (the famous 1200-mile dogsled race between Anchorage and Nome), Bright Dawn eagerly takes his place. "The race is won by thinking," an older competitor warns her, which proves to be true. Like all superb adventure stories, this one concerns external threats from the elements and nature, as well as the inner battle: the strength of Bright Dawn's character. Of O'Dell's recent works this is one of his bestexciting to read and infused with dignity. The race, with an unexpected ending, gives the story its simple, penetrating structure. But the story's depth comes from Bright Star's admiration for her father, running like a current through the story. O'Dell's understated, laconic style seems perfectly suited to depicting their relationship. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper; None edition (February 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547053193
• ISBN-13: 978-0547053196
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > Fiction > Polar Regions
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Other
  • #40 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Animals > Foxes & Wolves > Fiction

More About the Author

Scott O'Dell (1898-1989), one of the most respected authors of historical fiction, received the Newbery Medal, three Newbery Honor Medals, and the Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, the highest international recognition for a body of work by an author of books for young readers. Some of his many books include The Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Road to Damietta, Sing Down the Moon, and The Black Pearl.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A VERY GOOD BOOK!, May 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Star, Bright Dawn (Hardcover)

I read this for a seventh grade advanced class. I like this book, because you never know what is going to happen next in it. I thought for sure i knew what was going to go on, and the exact opposite happened! I also like the way that Scott O'dell made this book. All of the characters are formed well and you knew exactly what he was talking about. It has a lot of adventure in it, that is one of the many good things about this book. For anyone who likes adventure stories I think this would be a good book for them to read. I really enjoyed it. In some parts of the book I really felt sorry for Bright Dawn, but a lot of the other parts were happy. I loved reading about Bright Dawn, Black Star and all of the others going out on their adventures. The suspence, the adventures, the real life situations, and much more is what kept me in it. If you read it I am sure you will agree with me too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Star, Bright Dawn and Scott O'Dell, February 21, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Black Star, Bright Dawn (Mass Market Paperback)

Bright Dawn is a teenage Eskimo girl who loves dog sledding. One day when her father was preparing to race in the Iditarod, a 1,200 mile race, he got so injured that he couldn't race. Of course while Bright Dawn was sorry that her father was hurt, she was ecstatic that she would be taking his place. She comes across many dangers such as the bull moose, a vicious moose that attacks the human and the dogs on the team. Bright Dawn also makes some friends including Oteg, an experienced racer, and a girl that she saves who later ends up quitting. At the end of the race neither Bright Dawn nor her dogs were tired of running. With Black Star, Bright Dawn's favorite dog, in the lead, they set off for home.

This book flows very well. Every sentence ties in to the next and every paragraph ties in with the next Scott O'Dell, like he often does, has a girl main character, natives that play important roles, and exciting adventures. This book is mainly about action and changes. His writing can put on a "film" in your mind of what's happening in the story.

If you have not yet read this book, than you should. I would recommend it to the children 8-12. It's a great story for animal lovers and adventurous ones. Adults might appreciate the story but it is clearly meant for the younger generation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ICY ODYSSEY, May 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Star, Bright Dawn (Hardcover)

It is refreshing to have a female heroine to counter Paulsen's male survival specialists. Bright Dawn is a teenage Eskimo girl whose father has trained her to handle a dog sled, after the death of her older brother. In defiance of their social customs, she trains in a male-dominated area of expertise. When her father is forced to withdraw as the village's representative in Alaska's gruelling Iditarod, he urges his daughter to take his place, since village money and honor are at stake.

It takes an incredible combination of factors to win this thousand-mile race across arctic wastes; knowledge of huskies and use of all supplies, wisdom in determining when to stop and when to continue; experience with human nature since other contestants may use foul means or sly tricks to leave competitors behind. And never underestimate the forces of vicious and capricious Nature: weather, topography, wild animals.

Bright star learns to trust her beloved dog, Black Star (part Husky-part wolf) for many things, including her very life. But can she trust herself--her knowledge of dog teams and which of the entrants to believe. Can she expect compassion or help from the others, who are just as determined to win the prize for their village or city? She is not the only female in the race, but will the women prove more kindly or vulnerable?

Bright Star learns much from this race, especially about her worst enemy: Fear. This brave heroine is torn between Eskimo superstition and her modern education. Is there place for good sportsmanship in the Iditarod? This exciting tale of survival in the Alaskan wilderness will captivate readers of all ages.