Kamik's First Sled (Kamik #2)

by Matilda Sulurayok (Author) Qin Leng (Illustrator)

Kamik's First Sled (Kamik #2)
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Series: Kamik
Jake's puppy is growing quickly, but as Jake soon realizes, he isn't becoming any easier to handle. All Jake wants is to raise his puppy to be a strong, fast sled dog, but Kamik is far from ready to pull a sled with a dog team. With some advice and a little help from his grandmother, Jake learns basic principles of how to begin training a dog to pull. Kamik finally has his first sled, and he and Jake can finally begin exploring the tundra together. But Jake and Kamik are still inexperienced, and when a blizzard starts blowing in across the tundra, Jake must rely on his knowledge to get home. Inspired by the life memories of Arviat, Nunavut, elder Matilda Sulurayok, this book lovingly recreates basic dog-rearing practices that even the youngest dog lover can try.
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Paperback
$10.95

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Kirkus Reviews

"An exciting tale of boy-and-puppy bonding for Inuit children, this story is also accessible to non-Inuit readers willing to meet Kamik and Jake out on the tundra."

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2--Jake is anxious to train Kamik, his rambunctious Siberian Husky puppy, as a sled dog. His supportive grandmother gives him some sage advice based on her own experiences helping her father train his dogs when she was young. The grandmother packs them a picnic and suggests that he take Kamik out of town so he won't be distracted by the other dogs. When Jake opens his picnic pack, he finds an old sealskin and dog harness. He is able to teach Kamik the commands for left and right turns but realizes only after the dog takes off after an arctic hare that he hasn't taught him "whoa." They are now far from town, and when storm clouds gather, Jake is frightened. However, Kamik's instincts lead them through the storm straight back to his grandmother's house. Jake now feels assured that Kamik will grow into a strong, smart sled dog. The author has adapted the stories from her own memories growing up near Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut, Canada. The text is clearly written but is a bit long and wordy for the intended age group. The watercolor illustrations seem rather static, even when Kamik is running at full speed. VERDICT An additional purchase for large collections.--Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"I love the present-day setting, and the significant role extended family members play in Jake's life."
Matilda Sulurayok
Matilda Sulurayok is an elder who resides in Arviat, Nunavut. She was born and raised on the land near Chesterfield Inlet, Nunavut. She was raised by her parents and her grandmother, and she remembers much of what her grandmother taught her. Matilda's family lived a traditional life and raised several sled dogs. Kamik's First Sled is the first book to be based on Matilda's memories of traditional dog rearing. Matilda worked at the Andy Aulatjut Elder Centre as a caregiver for many years before she retired. She is a talented seamstress and enjoys sewing. She loves working with sealskins and makes beautiful kamiks.Qin Leng was born in Shanghai and lived in France and Montreal. She now lives and works as a designer and illustrator in Toronto. Her father, an artist himself, was a great influence on her. She grew up surrounded by paintings, and it became second nature for her to express herself through art. She graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and has received many awards for her animated short films and artwork. Qin has always loved to illustrate the innocence of children and has developed a passion for children's books. She has illustrated numerous picture books for publishers in Canada, the United States, and South Korea.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781772270204
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Inhabit Media
Publication date
June 20, 2015
Series
Kamik
BISAC categories
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV030120 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Polar Regions
JUV032080 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Winter Sports
JUV030090 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Canada - Native Canadian
Library of Congress categories
Fiction
Training
Juvenile works
Sled dogs
Blizzards
Inuit

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