Balto and the Great Race
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Book Brief
112
Book • Nonfiction
•
Children`s Literature•
BiographyAlaska • 1920s
•
Perseverance•
Gratitude•
Health•
Animals1999
Random House Books for Young Readers
Middle grade
7-10 years
Super Short Summary
In Balto and the Great Race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, sled dog Balto and musher Gunnar Kaasen bravely navigate perilous conditions to transport life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska, during the 1925 Serum Crisis. Their journey, part of a relay involving many teams, showcases the courage, endurance, and bond between humans and animals that helped save countless lives.
Adventurous
Inspirational
Hopeful
Heartwarming
Reviews & Readership
707 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Balto and the Great Race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel presents an exciting recount of the famous sled dog race, engaging younger readers with a suspenseful narrative and educational content. Reviews commend the book's vivid storytelling and historical accuracy, though some feel it oversimplifies complex events. Suitable for inspiring curiosity about history and perseverance.
Who Should Read Balto and the Great Race?
Readers who enjoy Balto and the Great Race by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel are often young history enthusiasts and animal lovers, typically aged 8-12. They appreciate real-life adventure stories similar to The Call of the Wild by Jack London or Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner. The engaging narrative and historical context captivate those interested in heroic tales.
707 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
A musher responsible for taking the serum to Nome, who trusts Balto’s instincts to safely navigate through treacherous conditions.
A skilled musher and original owner of Balto, who demonstrates bravery and leadership in the Serum Run, though his favor rests with another dog, Togo.
The only doctor in Nome during the 1925 diphtheria outbreak, whose urgent call for serum initiates the famous relay to save the town's inhabitants.
A Red Cross nurse with extensive wartime experience, who works alongside Dr. Welch to tend to the sick children of Nome and distribute the serum.
112
Book • Nonfiction
•
Children`s Literature•
BiographyAlaska • 1920s
•
Perseverance•
Gratitude•
Health•
Animals1999
Random House Books for Young Readers
Middle grade
7-10 years
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