Gary Paulson
Setting
Vocabulary
Iditarod
Events
100

Give the name of any book he wrote for kids

Hatchet

Dogsong

My Life in Dog Years

100

Where does Gary Paulson live

Minnesota

100

What does "viciousness" mean concerning the weather

terrible; wicked storm that is dangerous to be out in

100

How often is the Iditarod run

Once a year

100

How many times did Gary Paulson do the Iditarod

2

200

Describe his childhood

Terrible --parents were alcoholics and was not cared for

200

How long before the start of the Iditarod does he go to Alaska

3 months

200

Describe what "warping my thinking" means

He couldn't think well

200

What month is the Iditarod run in

March

200

How did he do on the one we're reading about (I told you but we didn't read it yet)

He didn't finish this one due to his health

300

What age did he leave home to go off on his own

14 years old

300

Name activities that Gary does with the dogs to get ready for the race

Go out on long rides to check out different areas and to get in shape for the race

300

When it says the dogs were "whuffling along" and everything was beautful--what does "whuffling" mean

The dogs were "in the zone", just enjoying a nice run

300

What is different in odd years than even years for running it

They take a different path.Even years they go north; odd years they go south

300

What does it mean when he thinks of the dogs as "we" instead of "I"

He considers himself to be with the dogs at all times--sleeping with them, eating with them, caring for them

400

Where did he live as a teenager

Camped and hunted for food in the Minnesota woods and forests

400

Describe the trail he is on with the dogs in the part of the story we read

A skinny trail along a mountain edge--had to lean on one of the runners to fit on the trail

400

Tell a synonym for "velocities"

Speed; how fast something moves or goes

400

Which years are longer---odd or even

Odd.  998 miles vs 975

400

What is the main problem Gary couldn't think well in this part of the story

His hat fell in the fire and the new hat was too bulky for the headlamp and was too tight to think well

500

How did he get to join the Army

He forged his parents' names that he was able to sign up

500

Describe the conditions (weather, etc) of his run with the dog

Big storm coming in, wind 150 - 200 mph, had to lean to one side to stay on the trail

500

A synonym for "Liberation"

Freedom (Liberty is root word)

500

How do they make sure the dogs and the mushers are ok

They have checkpoints they need to go to and are checked on

500

Tell one of the signs Gary should have noticed if he was thinking clearly

Storm coming up fast;  dogs putting noses straight up in the air to smell it;  went past a cave or inlet where they all could have fit and waited out the storm;