Woodsong

I have taught reading and writing to East Los Angeles - Hollenbeck Middle School - children of immigrants for the past three years. When I introduced "Woodsong" to my teens, I was worried that they would not be able to relate to a middle aged white guy in the snow. Not only do my "Americans of Mexican descent" love Paulsen but they love his dogs and other creatures he encounters: Scarhead, Hawk, Cookie, Columbia, Olaf, Obeah, the young dogs who discover fire, the doe that escapes into Paulsen's campsite, and especially Storm. The story of Storm and his stick brings tears to the eyes of even the most macho 14 year olds. Reading this book and others by Paulsen (Dirk the Protector and Older Run) have turned my kids onto reading other books by Paulsen, Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, and Louis L'Amour. I love you Gary!!!!!!!

Gary Paulsen. "Paulsen is the best man-against-nature adventures writing today" according to Publisher Weekly. He lives with his wife Ruth in Minnesota. In "Wood Song" Gary talks about his like in the woods with his dogs. The book is about how unforgiving the wild can be and how he had to learn to deal with death in a hole new way. In just the first few chapters he talks about how on one of his first runs with a sled team he encounters a pack of wolfs chasing a deer. Also he learns that he knows very little about running a dog sled team in the begging, but once he starts running with the team more and more he starts to understand them and why they like to run. The book talks about how close Gary gets to his first led dog Storm. The book then talks about when he ran the Iditarod in Alaska. How he had to survive against the elements with only his dogs as company. In the book Gary talks about where he has been and what he has done. Basically the book is all about action and adventure. Which is why I like Gary's books so much. One of the reasons I like his books so much is because there is not that many dry spots in the book. There isn't any really low parts, there is always something going on in the story. The great thing is that he makes you feel like you are right where he is. I think that if you enjoy the wilderness then you will love this book or any of Gary Paulsen's books.

If you are interested in reading this book I would suggest that you do. It's very fun and interesting. Even though there are sad and horrible things going on it's still one that should be read. You'll learn how much the author, Gary Paulsen, loves his dogs and how much they love him. You'll learn about Storm, his wild care-free dog who just loves to play tricks on people and have a good time. But in the end of Storm's life, you'll learn how much he truly loved Gary and what he did when he died. Gary tells about the experiences in the Iditarod and how you should prepare yourself. (Written by a student for a 9th grade English class.)

This is a classic tale for anyone who has ever loved dogs, or, to be more specific, any particular dog. I can say that this is also an icy tale that will actually take your breath away as Paulsen describes some of the conditions he's been in with his sled dogs. This is the true story of how he survives in the Minnesota wilderness, and then takes on the bigtime, The Iditarod in Alaska! When you read this, there are times when you will probably feel different things. Like the feeling some people have had (I have personally) of losing a pet. Or at times, you laugh at the hilarity of some of the things that pets will indeed do that leave you laughing so hard that it almost brings you to tears. Paulsen brings this to life only in the way that he has always used to tell a story. I love it how he describes his, and every man's greatest fear when in The Iditarod, is to scratch. When Paulsen describes this, he compares it to being a leper! He loves his dogs, and talks about how they are practically insane to run. He slightly haunts us with stories of hallucinations as a result of sleep deprivation! Yet, he also describes his most human side throughout the race, describing a cup of hot chocolate given to him by a beautiful blonde. Or how children from the Shageluk school made a pot of Moose chili especially for the mushers, and how he ate 19 bowls because it tasted so great, and then suffered the wonderful indigestion as a result. It is those stories and more, that make this an easy classic, and a read that you find hard to put down! I first read this about 10 years ago. It still is easy to pick up, and enjoy it from page 1. Awesome work!

Woodsong by Gary Paulsen is a book I will never regret reading. The entire book is non-stop action filled with events that keep you on the edge of your seat. It all starts with the very first page. The beginning is the type of intro that hooks you in and never lets go. From the very first sentence, the suspense makes your palms sweat. The plot becomes part of your life while you are reading the book. You learn things that are not only educational, but emotional lessons that will stick with you your entire life. In a way, the book is hard to relate to. You probably have not and never will be in the situations that the characters are in. However, the concepts of the problems do relate to the average person's way of life. For example, money is fairly tight where the characters live. I know many people who have problems with money and ways to overcome the lack of things such as a computer. The difference that makes this book unusual is the fact that it is true. The main character is the author, Gary Paulsen. Due to this, instead of saying to yourself in the middle of the book, "Gee, I'm glad ths is fiction." You would say,"Boy this guy was brave!" I am obliged to tell about the strong points in this book because there are so many. The suspense and descriptions are vivid. the "hook of the book" reels you in and doesn't let you go. the content is very clear and you don't have to be a genius to get through the vocabulary. There is a happy ending that satisfies your need for "happy-ever afterness." However, unlike a Disney movie it's not all sugarsweet. There is one weak point that is important to include. It wasn't nearly long enough. I wanted it to go on forever. By now, you probably are dieing to run to the nearest library and pick up this book. Before you dash off, I'd just like to warn you of something. It had a few gruesome parts. If you are the type of person who can't stand the sight of blodd or the type who gets nightmares over ghosts under your bed, you might not want to read this. The blood contec is little high and the way he describes it is realistic. That's why it is not that nice. The level of the book is not that high but I agree with the recommendation of 12 years + up. The vocabulary is fairly high and the content is better for older people. Many peers have asked me if I liked the book. Honestly, it is fantastic, a perfect 10, never dull, very powerful and most of all, filled with edge-of-your-seat events. As soon as you're done this paragraph race out to the library and pick up the book "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen.