Dogsong - Gary Paulsen

In Paulsen's Newbery Honor novel, 14-year-old Russel Susskit leads a dog team on an arduous trek across the frozen Alaskan wilderness on a life-altering journey haunted by dreams of an ancient warrior whose life oddly parallels his own. \nIN THE OLD DAYS THERE WERE SONGS \n Something is bothering Russel Susskit. He hates waking up to the sound of his father's coughing, the smell of diesel oil, the noise of snow machines starting up. \n \n Only Oogruk, the shaman who owns the last team of dogs in the village, understands Russel's longing for the old ways and the songs that celebrated them. But Oogruk cannot give Russel the answers he seeks; the old man can only prepare him for what he must do alone. Driven by a strange, powerful dream of a long-ago self and by a burning desire to find his own song, Russel takes Oogruk's dogs on an epic journey of self-discovery that will change his life forever. \n \n A Newbery Honor Book \n \n An ALA Best Book for Young Adults \n \n An ALA Notable Book \n \n A School Library Journal Best Book\n