Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. From Jack London to Jon Krakauer, the snowy state of Alaska has served as an inspiration to writers for decades, especially for authors with a taste for adventure. Why does Alaska lend itself to a writer’s inspiration?

Teaching Suggestion: With its harsh yet beautiful landscapes, the state of Alaska has been an inspiration to many writers over time, particularly those who, like Paulsen, see Nature as Challenger and Comforter. Before addressing the question, students first might brainstorm a list of sensory images (e.g., sights and sounds) that come to mind when thinking about Alaska. This prompt will prepare students to engage with Winterdance by considering the setting as well as other works they may have read in the adventure genre. These and similar resources may provide additional context.

• The Guardian’s “Top 10 Books about Alaska” is a list of contributor Brian Payton’s favorite books about, as he calls it, “the land of big dreams and harsh realities.”
• The Iditarod sled dog race has come to symbolize the challenges of the Alaskan wilderness.