weather was warm, Jake and
his uncle took the dogs out on the land.
"Summer is the best time to exercise dogs. Running in the heat will make them very fit and strong," Akkak said. Jake let the dogs run with his ATV. He made sure to give the dogs lots of rest and water."
This is the fourth book in the Kamik series, and continues the story of Kamik's life as a sled dog. It follows Kamik: An Inuit Puppy Story, Kamik's First Sled, and Kamik Joins the Pack. These books are adapted from memories shared by Darryl Baker. Fans of the first books are sure to enjoy seeing Kamik again, and learning how his training has made him the leader of the pack for his first race around town. Jake knows the odds, as there are other young mushers who want to win as badly as he does.
The two had put in a lot of hard work to get to this point, Kamik was ready, and so was Jake. Akkak had offered advice about the amount of work it would be to give Kamik his best chance for success. Summer and fall they had worked every day to ensure that the dogs would have the stamina and strength to pull a heavily loaded sled over long distances.
"Dogs need to be taken care of all the time," Akkak told him. "You have
no choice but to get the work done!"
Through summer, fall and winter Jake was a good student and Kamik a strong leader. Jake had listened intently to his uncle's advice and teaching. He spent much time with his dogs, letting them know how felt about them. He fed them well in preparation for their race, and all were ready with the arrival of spring.
Readers are left to wonder how the team does in their first challenge!
Learning about the traditional ways of the Inuit in Nunavut makes this a worthy addition to classroom and school libraries. Training practice and useful lessons concerning patience, hard work, respect for the dogs, and taking responsibility over a long period of time are valuable. The illustrations are appealing, giving attention to the people, the dogs, the seasons, and the northern setting.
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