Balto has a quiet life as a sled dog—until tragedy strikes. Dozens of children in Nome become sick with diphtheria. Without antitoxin serum, they will perish—and the closest supply is 650 miles away! The only way to get the serum to Nome is by sled, but can the dogs deliver it in time? Heading bravely into a brutal blizzard, Balto leads the race for life. A Kansas City Children’s Book Award for Grades 1–3 Grade 3-5-Kimmel presents the legendary story of the part-husky/part-wolf sled dog that braved severe blizzard conditions to take antitoxin serum to a remote Alaskan village in 1925. When the town was stricken by a diphtheria epidemic, Balto overcame unbelievable obstacles to accomplish what other dogs could not. This heroic canine has been immortalized in statue, film, and now in a book that brings his story to life. Kimmel's writing deftly combines geography, sled racing, and historical background with the gripping adventure of Balto's race to save lives. In many ways, the book reads like fast-paced fiction. Koerber's service- able black-and-white illustrations appear throughout and reflect the action. Sure to appeal to beginning chapter-book readers. Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. Balto has a quiet life as a sled dog?until tragedy strikes. Dozens of children in Nome become sick with diphtheria. Without antitoxin serum, they will perish?and the closest supply is 650 miles away! The only way to get the serum to Nome is by sled, but can the dogs deliver it in time? Heading bravely into a brutal blizzard, Balto leads the race for life. A Kansas City Children?s Book Award for Grades 1?3 Balto has a quiet life as a sled dog--until tragedy strikes. Dozens of children in Nome become sick with diphtheria. Without antitoxin serum, they will perish--and the closest supply is 650 miles away! The only way to get the serum to Nome is by sled, but can the dogs deliver it in time? Heading bravely into a brutal blizzard, Balto leads the race for life. A Kansas City Children's Book Award for Grades 1-3 Elizabeth Cody Kimmel lives with her family in Cold Spring, New York. She is the author of Balto and the Great Race, Before Columbus: The Leif Eriksson Expedition , and As Far as the Eye Can Reach . Nora Köerber is a children’s book illustrator whose credits include Balto and the Great Race and Sacagawea: The Journey to the West . She lives in Pasadena, California, with her illustrator husband, Robert Rodriguez, and her two children. Köerber loves animals and has two cats and one dog.