The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto (Step-Into-Reading) (Paperback)

~ Natalie Standiford (Author), Donald Cook (Illustrator) "This is a true story about a very brave dog..." (more)
Key Phrases: lead dog, Point Safety

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- A compelling account, told in easy-to-read format, of Balto, a sled dog who led his team through snow and ice over 53 miles of northern Alaska wilderness to deliver some medicine. The story is based on an actual event that occurred in 1925 during an outbreak of diptheria, when the closest medicine was 800 miles away in Anchorage. When the train bearing the important cargo became buried in the snow still 700 miles from its destination, a dog sled relay was used. Cook's softly colored illustrations are expressive and enhance the drama of the story--a proud and heroic story that young readers are sure to enjoy. --Sharron McElmeel, Cedar Rapids Community Schools, IA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A compelling account, told in easy-to-read format, of a sled dog who led his team over 53 miles of Alaska wilderness to deliver medicine during an outbreak of diphtheria in 1925. Cook's softly colored illustrations enhance the drama of a proud and heroic story that young readers are sure to enjoy."--School Library Journal. -- Review

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 23rd Printing edition (October 17, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394896955
• ISBN-13: 978-0394896953
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,779 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #15 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Dogs > Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 ½* Exciting Story of Heroic Dog, July 27, 2002

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"This is a true story about a very brave dog."

It's 1925 in the sub-zero, treacherous region of Nome, Alaska. Two children stricken with diphtheria need medicine, but the train that carries it gets stuck in the snow, 700 miles from Nome. The town's only hope is a 21-team dog sled relay to deliver the precious medicine. Balto, the head dog on the second to the last run, leads his team through blinding snowdrifts and over a frozen river, and around cracking ice, and reaches Nome almost ten days before the expected arrival. He becomes famous: In New York City, thousands of miles away, a statue of Balto is put up in Central Park.

This is an exciting book, with soft, slighted muted illustrations and short sentences, is an excellent book (especially for adventure and dog lovers) for the reader in from around grades 1 through 3. The suspenseful narration and the real heroics of Balto and his driver (along with the 20 other dog teams) make for a dramatic story. 48 pages, includes map of the trail to Nome.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad, May 2, 2005

A Kid's Review

Yeah, I know. Some reviewer called Balto a fraud. He wasn't. He really did lead his sled team through 53 miles in subzero temperatures, though he wasn't the bravest dog ever(Togo was), so I took one star off. But his story deserves to be told just as much as Togo's, and yes, I love that husky Togo and his bravery (He lead 260 miles). It is 1925. There's an epidemic of diphtheria sweeping through Nome, and sled dogs are needed to deliver desperately needed serum. But in the subzero temperatures, will they make it? This is an excellent introduction to the Iditarod for children. (Oh, and by the way, Balto didn't try to claim all the glory. He was forced to run, though he was considered too 'weak' to do so. I call that animal abuse. He certainly proved he wasn't 'weak' since he ran 53 miles! Gunnar Kaasen even abandoned him to a dime museum later on! BAD pet keeper!)

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Adventure Book, October 11, 2000

By A Customer

I thought the book was appropriate for the language of most 2nd graders. It was also entertaining and adventurous. The students could not wait to read what was going to happen next. The plot was easy to follow.