Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod (original 1994; edition 1995)

by Gary Paulsen

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1,030	39	19,921	(4.26)	139
Biography & Autobiography. Pets. Sports & Recreations. Nonfiction. Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod-the eleven hundred and eighty mile sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness-in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. For seventeen days, he and his team of dogs endured blinding wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dogfights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations-and the relentless push to go on. Winterdance is the enthralling account of a "stunning wilderness journey of discovery and transformation" (Chicago Tribune), lived and told by "the best author of man-against-nature adventures writing today" (Publishers Weekly).… (more)

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Member:	andyg227
Title:	Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
Authors:	Gary Paulsen
Info:	Harvest Books (1995), Paperback
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
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Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod by Gary Paulsen (1994)

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SugarCreekRanch: Both books recall a adventurous outdoor challenge (hiking the Appalachian trail, or running the Iditarod), told with an wonderful sense of humor. Entertaining reads for the armchair adventurer!
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This book was a pleasure and I laughed out loud in several spots. I read this years ago.

Ferg.ma | Apr 13, 2024 |

I had no idea as to how fun, emotional, gripping, and adventurous this book would be: I laughed out loud in so many parts; and I found the ending difficult but I totally understand it. I think I would have done the same thing. It would be cruel to keep the dogs and not let them run. I felt the sun on my face and the icy needles on my eyelids (of course reading this while it is 6 degrees outside helped in that regard). The author shared his emotions from rage to gratefulness; his descriptive hallucinations; and bodily sensations. This all resulted in a five-star read for me. I will likely read this book again at some time. (

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Kimberlyhi | Apr 15, 2023 |

This book made me laugh and feel like I was travelling, two things I really needed these days! (

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kamlibrarian | Dec 23, 2022 |

Fantastic read. Gary Paulsen tells the story of his dogs and the Iditarod in way that pulls you into his world. He tells it all in a straight forward and sometimes laugh-out-loud way. He lays it all out there; his mishaps, his confusions, his mistakes, his triumphs. Every page turned takes you farther into understanding how he learned his way into the race and trials and tribulations during the race. Winterdance is full of ups and downs and he tells a story that makes you feel all his emotions/challenges, plus funny. It is one of those kind of books that when you come to the last few chapters, a ping of sadness hits because you know the end is near. (

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Christilee394 | Jan 31, 2022 |

Fascinating first-hand look at running the Iditarod and managing dog-sled racing. The journey starts in Anchorage, AK and finishes in Nome. A bittersweet story of endurance. (

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SandyAMcPherson | Feb 24, 2021 |

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Winterdance by Gary Paulsen | Summary & Study Guide by BookRags

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee – 1997)

South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee – 1995)

Notable Lists

Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection – 1995)

Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (High School – 1996)

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Canonical title

Original title

Alternative titles

Original publication date

1994

People/Characters

Important places

Alaska, USA

Important events

Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Related movies

Epigraph

Dedication

To the Iditarod Volunteers,who make the race happen.

First words

The storm broke with a sudden viciousness that startled, frightened me.

Quotations

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

Disambiguation notice

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Original language

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File:Paulsen - Winterdance Coverart.png

Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

▾Book descriptions

Biography & Autobiography. Pets. Sports & Recreations. Nonfiction. Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod-the eleven hundred and eighty mile sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness-in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. For seventeen days, he and his team of dogs endured blinding wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dogfights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations-and the relentless push to go on. Winterdance is the enthralling account of a "stunning wilderness journey of discovery and transformation" (Chicago Tribune), lived and told by "the best author of man-against-nature adventures writing today" (Publishers Weekly).

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