Dogsled Dreams by Terry Lynn Johnson
Reviewed by: Chris Singer
About the author:
Terry Lynn Johnson's passion for the outdoors evolved while she paddled twelve summers in Quetico Provincial Park as a Canoe Ranger. One winter she worked for a dogsledding company and eighteen huskies followed her home. She was hooked.
Now Terry continues to work in the outdoors and shares her love of adventure through her writing. In her spare time she enjoys kayaking, competitive swimming, and hiking. Occasionally she likes to torture herself in a canoe race.
Her work has been published in many outdoor magazines which can be viewed in the portfolio section.
Terry is a graduate of Winghill school of writing and is a member of the Society of Childrens' Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) as well as the Outdoor Writers of Canada. She lives in Whitefish Falls, Ontario.
About the book:
Twelve-year-old Rebecca dreams of becoming a famous sled dog racer. She's an inventive but self-doubting musher who tackles blinding blizzards, wild animal attacks, puppy training, and flying poo missiles. All of her challenges though, seem easier than living up to the dogs' trust in her abilities. Rebecca runs her huskies along the crisp trails near Thunder Bay, Ontario, where northern lights flare and dangerous beavers lurk. Through the bond she shares with the dogs, Rebecca learns that hard work, dedication and living in the moment bring their own rewards.
Watch the trailer:
My take on the book:
I imagine the genesis of Dogsled Dreams began when Terry Lynn Johnson worked for a dogsledding company one winter and eighteen beautiful huskies followed her home. In this debut novel, Johnson weaves an exciting and engaging story about twelve-year old Rebecca, who loves dogsledding more than anything. In fact, while other kids her age are trying to attract boys, Rebecca dreams of being a famous musher.
She's learned everything she knows about dogsledding from her dad. Now, he's letting Rebecca train the new sled pups and has given her the okay to lead the race team in the Thunder Dog. What follows is a thrilling story which will leave readers on the edge of their seat wanting more.
Terry's character development of Rebecca is fantastic. She does an excellent job of having the reader experience a lot of the anxieties and self-doubt Rebecca feels as she's getting ready to take on the biggest challenge in her young life. I was especially pleased with the positive portrayal of Rebecca's father. As a father to a young girl, I was thrilled to see Rebecca have such high hopes and dreams for herself, and to see her father support her. This is a beautiful story both dads and their daughters can enjoy reading and discussing together!
You can learn more about Terry Lynn Johnson and dogsledding by visiting her website: www.terrylynnjohnson.com.
This sounds like a fantastic book, and Rebecca sounds like a great role model for young girls at this pivotal and difficult time in their lives. I'll definitely be checking this one out!
4RV Publishing is pleased to be the company that released Dogsled Dreams. Terry is a great writer, and she worked hard with the editor to put a high polish on an already good manuscript.
As the cover artist and designer for 'Dogsled Dreams', I was surprised how much Terry made snow sound fun. The whole story was an adventure.
I was raised in Pennsylvania, where we got a lot of snow, and always hated it ...lol. But in reading the book, and planning the cover, I actually started missing it, and remembered the beauty of it.
I have had many, many wonderful comments on the cover art, which Terry had quite a bit of input on herself, as well.
It was fun doing it, and I am proud to have been a part of it.
Aidana WillowRaven
http://WillowRaven.weebly.com
The cover of this book is gorgeous - great job, Aidana! I've read one of Terry's other books and can't wait to get my hands on Dogsled Dreams. Nice review!
)
Great cover. Sounds like a very cool book. Will check it out.
It's an excellent book (with gorgeous cover art)