Selection One: Akiak written and illustrated by Robert J. Blake

Summary Page Title Page Awards Story Summary Key Concept Key Vocabulary Strategy Focus Comprehension Skill Story Map Outline Sneak Peek Conclusion Page

Awards Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies Irma S. and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature Vermont Red Clover Award Master List Washington State’s Children’s Choice Award The Virginia Young Reader Award Indiana’s 2001 Young Hoosier Award

Selection Summary: This is ten-year-old lead dog Akiak’s last chance to win the Iditarod. When Akiak hurts her paw, she must be removed from the race. But Akiak sets out on her own, catches up to her team, and shows them the way!

Key concept: Dogsled racing

Key Vocabulary Experienced Blizzard Musher Checkpoint Rugged Courageous

Blizzard-a snowstorm with strong winds There are powerful blizzards and towering snowdrifts along the twisting, icy route from Anchorage to Nome.

Checkpoint- a place along a route where people sign in Racers are required to rest often and sign in at many checkpoints along the way.

Courageous- brave; fearless People had come from everywhere to see the courageous dog that had run the Iditarod trail alone.

Experienced- having the knowledge to do a particular task The experienced lead dog led the team safely to their checkpoint.

Musher- the driver of a dogsled team Teams of sixteen dogs pull a sled carrying their musher.

Rugged- having a rough, uneven surface The Iditarod course covers more than 1,000 miles of rugged Alaskan trails.

Now let’s take a look at some of the reading skills we will practice as we read Akiak…

Strategy focus: Summarize Akiak is divided into sections describing different days of the Iditarod race. As you read, stop every few pages to summarize each day’s events.

Comprehension Skill Focus: Story Structure You can use a story map to look at how a problem and its solution affect the story’s plot and characters.

Story Map Characters- people or animals in the story Setting- the time and place in which the story occurs Plot- the series of events in a story Problem facing the characters Story events Solution

Let’s take a peek at last year’s Iditarod race!

Enjoy Selection 1: Akiak Check out www.eduplace.com for more activities relating to Akiak.