Dogsong By: Gary Paulson

Presented By: Kyla Campbell Steven Reber Tori Christ

Setting n This story takes place in an Eskimo village and in Russels dreams.

Main Characters n Russel-a fourteen year old boy who is determined to find his inner self n Oogruk- a very wise, old man who is blind n Dogs- Russels loyal friends n Nancy- a pregnant woman who Russel saves

Key Events Russel moves in with Oogruk Russel goes out on the dogs for the first time Oogruk dies Russel has many dreams Russel rescues Nancy, a pregnant woman Russel kills a polar bear for the sake of him, the dogs, and Nancy

Mood nTnTnTnThe mood of the story is inspiration and determination.

Goals When Oogruk told Russel to go out as far North as he could and never come back until he had completed his journey, he knew it wouldnt be easy. 1.) His first goal was to become a man. He would accomplish this by doing what Oogruk told him to do. 2.)He wanted to find the meaning in his life. (his song)

How He Accomplished His Goals How He Accomplished His Goals n He did what Oogruk told him to do- he went out on his dogs, even through hard circumstances. He did this through his determination. n He worked hard and never gave up.

How the Story Ended n The story ended by Russel accomplishing his goals and finding his meaning in life.

Summary – During the beginning of the book, Russel moves in with Oogruk. Then Oogruk and Russel go out on the dogs so Oogruk can smell the sea for one last time before he dies. – Before Oogruk dies, he tells Russel to go out on the dogs and to never come back until he has completed his journey. – After Oogruk died, Russel did as he was told. Along the way, he had many dreams. He soon had so many that he wasnt sure at times whether he was in a dream, or in reality. He also rescued a poor, pregnant woman. He killed a polar bear for food, then went back out on his dogs to finish his journey.

His Song Come, see my dogs. Out before me they go, in the long line to the sea. Out they go. Come, see my dogs. They carry me into all things, all things I will be; all things that will come to me will come to my dogs. I stand on the earth and I sing. Come, see my dogs. See them, see them in the smoke of my life, in the eyes of my children, in the sound of my feet, in the dance of my words. I stand on the earth and I sing. Come, see my dogs. My dogs are what lead me, they are what move me. See my dogs in the steam, in the steam of my life. They are me.

His Song (continued) Come, see my dogs. I was nothing before them, no man and no wife. Without them, no life, no girl-woman breathing no song. Come see my dogs. With them I ran, ran north to the sea. I stand my the sea and I sing. I sing of my hunts and of Oogruk. Come see my dogs. Out before me they go. Out before me they curve in the long line out before me they go, I go, we go. They are me.

What We Said About the Book

Review n 1 star=bad n 2 stars= unsatisfactory n 3 stars=okay n 4 stars= good n 5 stars= excellent