Ice Dogs

Johnson, Terry Lynn. Ice Dogs. 2012. 279p. ISBN 978-0-547-89926-8. Available as an eBook on Overdrive.

Victoria loves to run her dogs. A dog-sledder and a resident of Alaska all of her life, she’s built a special relationship with each one of her animals. Ever since the tragic loss of her father during one of his wilderness expedition, and blaming her mother for his death, Victoria has retreated within herself, racing with her dog team, trying to dull the pain and the loss. When she hears that a new dog might be available to purchase, she decides to head out. It is a distance to this man’s farm, but she should have plenty of time to gather her gear, hook up her dogs and make the return trip.

Only, she doesn’t have enough time. Running on the trail heading to Mr. Cook’s, the sky opens up and it begins to snow. Deciding to press on, Victoria comes to the site of a snowmobile accident. The sled is destroyed, and the rider is laying in the snow unconscious. Victoria checks him for injuries, and he awakens and stands up. His name is Chris, and he reveals he thinks he lives this way, pointing down a trail Victoria is not familiar with. Unfortunately the snow, which is coming down harder, has covered any tracks, and Victoria is not even sure Chris knows which way he came from. But since he’s convinced, she goes down the trail with her sled and dogs and Chris bundled up aboard.

Soon, it’s clear that they are lost, and in the middle of a blizzard. Victoria’s survival skills are the only thing that keep death away for her dogs, herself, and Chris. But as her father’s death proved, skills are sometimes not enough. Can Victoria, Chris, and her dogs make it back to civilization?

Fans of Hatchet and The River will enjoy this story of hope against all odds and the extreme measures Victoria takes to ensure the survival of her team. Victoria’s relationship and love for her dogs permeates the story, and even Chris, who’s not too keen on them at first, eventually warms up (literally and figuratively) to the animals. The author clearly possesses experience mushing as the descriptions of Victoria’s actions while driving the sled are vivid and energetic. The plot moves quickly, and the two teens move from one catastrophe to another until the ending. Reluctant readers and survivalists will appreciate this tale of an incredible fight against nature for survival. For another tale of dog running, take a look at Yellow Dog.