Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

Winterdance

• Genre: Nonfiction; memoir; adventure
• Originally Published: 1994
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1060L; grades 9-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 21 chapters; approximately 272 pages; approximately 6 hours, 56 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: Winterdance is Gary Paulsen’s account of his experiences preparing for and competing in the Iditarod, a grueling 1,000-mile dogsled race across the Alaskan wilderness. With no prior experience in dogsled racing, Paulsen recounts his journey from a naïve beginner to a passionate musher, facing extreme cold, exhaustion, and the unpredictable challenges of the wild. The book describes the bond between Paulsen and his team of dogs, the beauty and brutality of the Alaskan landscape, and the challenge of undertaking such a demanding adventure.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Descriptions of harsh wilderness conditions; dangers of sled dog racing; personal risk and physical challenges; animal care in extreme conditions; violence and death involving animals (dog fights; dog death); human violence against animals including the intentional violent killing of a dog

Gary Paulsen, Author

• Bio: Born 1939; died 2021; American author known for his young adult literature, particularly his coming-of-age stories set in the wilderness; prolific writer of over 200 books, many of which draw on his own life experiences and adventures
• Other Works: Dogsong (1985); Hatchet (1987); The River (1991); Brian’s Winter (1996)