Togo

Togo wasn't meant to be a sled dog. He was too feisty and independent to make a good team member, let alone a leader. But Togo is determined, and when his trainer, Leonhard Seppala, gives him a chance, he soon becomes one of the fastest sled dogs in history His skills are put to the ultimate test, though, when Seppala and his team are called on to make the now-famous run across the frozen Arctic to deliver the serum that will save Alaska from a life-threatening outbreak of diphtheria.

In the style of Akiak, winner of the Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, along with five state awards, Robert J. Blake's detailed, carefully researched oil paintings complete the story of the adventure that inspired the internationally famous Iditarod race.

Author: Robert J. Blake
Publisher: Philomel Books
Published: 10/14/2002
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.99lbs
Size: 8.56h x 11.24w x 0.46d
ISBN: 9780399233814
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.8
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 59496 / Togo


Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award - Winner
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Winner
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: Bluebonnet Awards - Winner
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Winner
Award: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Parents Choice Award (Fall) (1998-2007) - Winner


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 08/15/2002 pg. 1216
School Library Journal 09/01/2002 pg. 181
Booklist 09/15/2002 pg. 230
New York Times 11/17/2002 pg. 34
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/15/2003 pg. 1308
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2002 pg. 25 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Christian Home & School 12/01/2003 pg. 27
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2003 pg. 25 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Robert J. Blake was born and raised in New Jersey. As a boy he made tons of drawings and used up thousands of crayons. He says, I even did a huge crayon mural on our hallway that was not artistically appreciated by my parents.

Sharing one large room with two older brothers was total chaos, he recalls. We had lots of animals - dogs, ducks, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, lizards, turtles, snakes, birds, fish, and even two flying squirrels. And, oh yes, a tarantula. I think my parents were afraid to come up to our room.

Mr. Blake now resides in New Jersey with his wife and son. He works in his studio, a renovated barn on his property. Mr. Blake says, I would like to paint in every state in the United States and in every country in the world.

I hope my books lend the reader a feeling, and emotion, a new point of view, a new way to look at something that they might not have experienced otherwise.

Robert J. Blake was born and raised in New Jersey. As a boy he made tons of drawings and used up thousands of crayons. He says, I even did a huge crayon mural on our hallway that was not artistically appreciated by my parents.

Sharing one large room with two older brothers was total chaos, he recalls. We had lots of animals - dogs, ducks, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, lizards, turtles, snakes, birds, fish, and even two flying squirrels. And, oh yes, a tarantula. I think my parents were afraid to come up to our room.

Mr. Blake now resides in New Jersey with his wife and son. He works in his studio, a renovated barn on his property. Mr. Blake says, I would like to paint in every state in the United States and in every country in the world.

I hope my books lend the reader a feeling, and emotion, a new point of view, a new way to look at something that they might not have experienced otherwise.