Togo [Hardcover]

Robert J. Blake (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Togo wasn't meant to be a sled dog. He was too feisty and independent to make a good team member, let alone a leader. But Togo is determined, and when his trainer, Leonhard Seppala, gives him a chance, he soon becomes one of the fastest sled dogs in history! His skills are put to the ultimate test, though, when Seppala and his team are called on to make the now-famous run across the frozen Arctic to deliver the serum that will save Alaska from a life-threatening outbreak of diphtheria.

In the style of Akiak, winner of the Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, along with five state awards, Robert J. Blake's detailed, carefully researched oil paintings complete the story of the adventure that inspired the internationally famous Iditarod race.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5-Togo is a spirited puppy, determined to be a sled dog even though his owner, Leonhard Seppala, does not think he has what it takes. He's small for a Siberian husky, and much too independent. When he is only eight months old, he breaks through a fence and finds his owner's team on a supply run; it takes only a day for him to prove himself as a musher. Soon the young dog is leading his team in races, and breaking speed records every time. When Togo is eight years old, Seppala is asked to make an emergency relay run to pick up a serum that can stop the diphtheria epidemic threatening the entire population of Nome, AK. Togo leads his team over 350 miles through storms, suffering terribly, and with almost no rest. While it is another dog, Balto, that became famous for the serum run of 1925, he actually led the final team in the relay, running 53 miles. Many people feel that Togo is an unsung hero, and so will readers, who will feel the terrible cold depicted chillingly in Blake's paintings. The urgency and desperation come across clearly in both the dramatic text and the full-page impressionistic paintings. The dogs are not anthropomorphized, but their expressions are haunting. Pair this first-rate historical adventure with Natalie Standiford's The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto (Random, 1989) or with Blake's Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod (Philomel, 1997).
Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (October 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399233814
• ISBN-13: 978-0399233814
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 11.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Explore the World > Polar Regions
  • #62 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1900s

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was the true story as told by Seppala, September 27, 2004

By 

Robert N. Lane (Ashland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Togo (Hardcover)

When I was growing up in Seattle there was an old man that lived in our neighborhood, he was a former dogsled racer that had retired to the Ballard area. I used to stop and visit him after school. His wife would give me cookies and milk and Leonhard would tell me stories about his days in Nome.

One story he always told was about the great deeds that Togo, his favorite lead dog, had done. Togo had saved Leonhard's life on numerous occaisons.

Leonhard told me the story about the serum run into Nome during the diptheria epidemic. As he and Togo returned to Nome after a run of over 150 miles in one day they were met by someone coming out from Nome with Balto at the lead. Leonhard handed off the serum and rested his dogs. Then Balto got all the glory as he returned to town with the serum. Balto ran only a few miles from Nome and was considered a "scrub" freight dog by Leonhard.

It broke Leonhard's heart - he always told me how much it upset him when they put a statue in Central Park to Balto, and they even decked it out in Togo's colors (ribbons).

I was so thrilled to see Robert Blake's release of Togo. I immediately bought a copy and as I read it, it was as if Leonhard was telling me the story again as he had so many years ago in his living room in Ballard. Blake's extensive research is "right on" and he has done a wonderful job of retelling the story as it actually occurred.

I highly recommend Togo to anyone interested in what really happened in the 1924 Serum Race.

Robert Lane
Ashland, OR

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Togo, July 26, 2003

By 

N Zee (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Togo (Hardcover)

Togo is a great book for children to learn about courage and determination. A must for dog lovers! I highly recommend this book for any child.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Togo, May 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Togo (Hardcover)

Togo is a beautifully written book for children. The character of this special dog shines through these pages to inspire young and old. Also a great read for adults who love animal stories.