March of the Blue Moon by Elaine Donadio

Author:Elaine Donadio
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: middle grade readers, funny kids books, science facts, american and south korean friendship, boy characters, developing self esteem, finding positive role models, native alaska culture, social studies facts, stories set in alaska
Publisher: Elaine Donadio

Dog racing is an expensive sport and most of the winners never break even or come out ahead with their winnings, especially since the purses in recent years have gotten smaller and smaller. The total expenses of entering and completing the Iditarod come close to $25,000. In addition to paying for food, medicine, supplies, sleds, repairs, entry fees, veterinarian fees, travel expenses associated with getting the musher and the dogs to and from the race (the dogs must be flown home after the race), and so many other expenses, the prize money does not offset the costs involved.

The cost of maintaining a dog kennel runs from about $70,000 to $100,000 a year. In 2010, Lance won $50,400, in 2009 $69,000, in 2008 $69,000 and in 2007 $69,000. It may seem like a lot, but it was never enough to cover expenses. Lance does the best he can. He can no longer race or mush or fish commercially because of his poor health and physical problems. Lance raises dogs to lease and sell from Comeback Kennel, gives speeches and talks, runs excursions, and trains potential mushers for racing in order to support himself. His expenses still outweigh his income.

Lance Mackey describes his success in winning the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest as ‘a vision with a dream.’ Despite his problems and lack of money, Lance keeps a positive attitude. One of the hardest lessons he learned was when ‘he realized that people were his competitors, not his friends.’ When Lance was hurt and needed help during one of his races, a man he considered a friend ignored his plight and continued towards the finish line. People he had known his whole life shunned him even as a winner. He did not fit the image of a person to be admired, despite his great accomplishments. Most people only saw the negatives.”

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