Amazon.com
Most young girls' experiences never involve hunting bearded seals on the ice, even within the Alaskan Eskimo culture. In Scott O'Dell's gripping novel, Bright Dawn is an exception. In her father's eyes, she became his son's replacement ever since her brother drowned. When Bright Dawn is 18 years old, her father, recently injured, insists that she take his place in the Iditarod, the famous Alaskan dogsled race covering more than a thousand miles between Anchorage and Nome. Unflinching, yet trembling in her mukluks, she faces her challenge head-on.
Bright Dawn proves herself to be a strong, courageous heroine--crossing rivers, mountain ranges, and vast stretches of frozen tundra--with her team of dogs, including the lead Black Star. While the rush of wind and relentless, blinding stretches of ice are exhilarating, the dangers involved make Bright Dawn realize that it's not only the race, but her life that she's entrusting to her team of dogs. O'Dell, author of the Newbery Award-winning Island of the Blue Dolphins, has created an intense, suspenseful, clearly written adventure story that's sure to capture the imagination of young readers and take them for a blustery ride. (Ages 9 to 12)
From Publishers Weekly
When her father is injured while training for the Iditarod (the famous 1200-mile dogsled race between Anchorage and Nome), Bright Dawn eagerly takes his place. "The race is won by thinking," an older competitor warns her, which proves to be true. Like all superb adventure stories, this one concerns external threats from the elements and nature, as well as the inner battle: the strength of Bright Dawn's character. Of O'Dell's recent works this is one of his bestexciting to read and infused with dignity. The race, with an unexpected ending, gives the story its simple, penetrating structure. But the story's depth comes from Bright Star's admiration for her father, running like a current through the story. O'Dell's understated, laconic style seems perfectly suited to depicting their relationship. Ages 10-14. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6-10 When her father is injured during a training run, 18-year-old Bright Dawn must take over his position as the village's dog racer in the Iditarod, a 1179-mile sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome. She is befriended by Oteg, an older Eskimo who gives advice and reminds her of the folklore and wisdom of her people. But this headstrong girl does not always listen, and while she is first at the halfway point, she is last at the finish line. O'Dell portrays the frozen landscape and encounters with moose and wolves vividly, as well as reveals the planning needed for adequate shelter and food. Bright Dawn does not race to beat the others, but only to do her best, and does win the sportsmanship prize for helping other competitors. Paulsen's Dogsong (Bradbury, 1985) portrayed a more rugged, introspective, and mystical dogsled journey, which is not O'Dell's intention. However, it is surprising that in a race requiring a great deal of endurance and strength, the sheer exhaustion and physical deprivation does not come through in this narrative. The telling here is sparse and for the most part emotionless, even during scenes of personal danger, despite the use of a first-person voice. Susan Schuller, Milwaukee Public LibraryCopyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"A fine novel, exciting, with a sensitive portrayal of Eskimo culture and an estimable heroine."
Book Description
"A splendid, vividly written adventure."
THE KIRKUS REVIEWS
Bright Dawn was a teenaged Eskimo girl. Black Star was her part-husky, mostly wolf, pet. Together they were about to begin the famous Iditarod dogsled race through the bitter cold of Alaska. Bright Dawn knew they would win, but she didn't count on the cold, blinding whiteout, the belligerent bull moose, or ice that could crack and splinter at any time. And she soon realized that she was not only depending on Black Star for the race, but for her life....
Card catalog description
Bright Dawn must face the challenge of the Iditarod dog sled race alone when her father is injured.
From the Inside Flap
"A splendid, vividly written adventure."
THE KIRKUS REVIEWS
Bright Dawn was a teenaged Eskimo girl. Black Star was her part-husky, mostly wolf, pet. Together they were about to begin the famous Iditarod dogsled race through the bitter cold of Alaska. Bright Dawn knew they would win, but she didn't count on the cold, blinding whiteout, the belligerent bull moose, or ice that could crack and splinter at any time. And she soon realized that she was not only depending on Black Star for the race, but for her life....
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