No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer [Paperback]

Rachael Scdoris (Author), Rick Steber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2007

No End In Sight is the first-person story of a young sled dog racer who had to overcome an incredible obstacle to compete--born legally blind, Rachael grew up amid the taunts of classmates who made fun of her until her innate athletic talent gave her an arena in which to shine. 
 
Rachael was the youngest athlete ever to compete in a 500-mile sled dog race, but her dream goal was to participate in the sport's top competition: the Iditarod Trail International Sled Dog Race across the wilderness of Alaska.  She faced stiff opposition from the organizers of the race because of her disability, but she never gave up--and finally was allowed to compete with the help of a visual interpreter.  
 

No End In Sight is a story of athleticism and the grace that comes from working with animals.  It is also a stirring memoir about how an unwavering inner compass can propel anyone to achieve even seemingly insurmountable goals. 

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Twenty-year-old Scdoris, afflicted with a rare eye disorder that makes her 20-200 vision impervious to correction, recounts her journey to Alaska's famous sled dog race in this slow but straightforward memoir written with family friend Steber. Born with congenital achromatopsia, Scdoris spent her childhood struggling to gain independence, even though crossing a busy street was a life-or-death challenge. During her childhood in Oregon, Scdoris's father introduced her to his love of sled dog racing, a livelihood he temporarily abandoned in order to move closer to urban areas where state programs for the blind were readily available. Scdoris expends equal amounts of time on the details of racing and the trials of being a blind teenager in a school where she endured merciless teasing on a daily basis. While negotiating those difficulties, she also had to stand up to resentment and disbelief in the racing community (many seasoned racers believed a young girl with a disability had no place in the sport). Yet Scdoris pursued her love of racing and ends the memoir intending to race the Iditarod in 2006. Her inspiring life story is unfortunately dulled by a lackluster presentation. 22 b&w photos not seen by PW. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-Born in Oregon, the daughter of a sled musher, Scdoris has a passion for sled dogs and racing. Athletic and hard-driven, she set her sights on racing the Iditarod. Incredibly, sight is the one thing she doesn't have. Legally blind since birth, Scdoris not only passed the qualifying races without any help, but was also able to run in the 2005 Iditarod using only a visual interpreter to caution her of obstacles ahead. A wonderful backstory leads up to the excitement of the big race, in which the author gives a candid account of her childhood, from the earliest memories to the present. Her autobiography has a strong voice and a perfect mix of action and dialogue. In school, she was taunted and teased by bullies. Her athleticism helped her find a niche on the junior high and high school track team and her determination to find ways to overcome obstacles helped her become more independent. The author's desire to be normal was paramount the day she missed the school bus and, rather than tell her father, ran the 26 miles to school. The page-turning episodes, however, revolve around the races in which she pushes herself to the limit, dealing with naysayers, crashes, and sick dogs. Readers will feel every twist and turn in the course, and will eagerly follow the progress of this inspiring athlete.-Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312364377
• ISBN-13: 978-0312364373
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,074 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Iditarod & Dog-Sledding

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Team Player, April 5, 2006

By 

Kevin Killian (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer (Hardcover)

I don't know much about dog racing, but this story had me mildly interested all the way through, and I learned a lot, not only about the sport, but about blind people and how one girl's courage catapulted her into a 500 mile, grueling endurance race across the wildest parts of a wild countryside. Rachel speaks candidly about how, when she was young, she wanted to be part of the clique of "popular girls" who ruled the roost at school, and how these uncaring girls mocked her and humiliated her for even trying.

She didn't like being treated as some sort of second class and in a way, you can see the whole of her subsequent career as a sort of insolent salute to the girls who made her life hell. Her family was supportive, up to a point. But the challenge of the Iditarod Trail frightens even the most dedicated guides. And some unimaginative, if concerned, fellow sledders told her she was crazy, being blind to attempt such a physical feat. For even strong men with both eyes sometimes went mad along the trail. The ITC wasn't helpful, and she had to appeal to them in person. What would she do if she had to go to the bathroom, for example? Rachel answers these questions with the frank good humor for which she has been known all over the world of sled racing. One indication of the deeper pain involved is that, usually, Rachel cries sometime during a race. But finally she's at a point where she's having fun and it shows not only in her work, but in the pages of this delightful book. My brother who gave me NO END IN SIGHT knows of my love for the books of David Sedaris, and he thought that Rachel might be some relation! Well, there's no direct blood connection (and her name is "Sedoris") but she is like David Sedaris in being able to find the humanity and humor even in the most awful of straits.

Yes, it's "heavy sledding" at times, especially if like me you're a newbie with next to no knowledge of anything she's talking about and anything she's been through. But, there's a helpful glossary at the back of the book so all you non-mushers can decipher the somewhat specialized lingo. You'll be crying out "Haw!" and "Hike!" like seasoned trailhounds. Ever wonder what kind of personality you would have as a canine? Are you the wheel dog type or the swing dog, a team dog or a lead? Check out NO END IN SIGHT.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Admiration, February 28, 2007

By 

I. D. P. Kasteren "amofens" (The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer (Hardcover)

The Iditarod, let alone any sleddograce, is not something one does "on the side". You have to organize, to train, to plan, be prepared against the elements, love the athletes, become one of them. Simply said: it takes guts and without it there is no glory.

Rachael has set her goal and reaches it, with all the extra handicaps one can think of. It shows the reader that if you have anything you want, anything you really desire, you've got to go for it and cross all the borders you encounter. There is no "but..." I have nothing but the deepest admiration for Rachael!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Optimism, April 9, 2006

By 

Aspen Myles (NC Mountains) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No End in Sight: My Life as a Blind Iditarod Racer (Hardcover)

I just read this book and found it very fascinating. I was able to relate as a woman athlete, but can honestly say that I will never understand the kind of difficulties this young woman has faced and continues to overcome on a daily basis. I have always wanted to travel to Alaska and see the Iditarod first hand. Rachael has given me a wonderful insight into the race until my dream is possible. After reading this book you will realize that your limits should be set by yourself and only by yourself. Thanks for your incredible story, and CONGRATULATIONS on your 2006 Iditarod finish!!!