The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto tells the story of Balto the sled dog who lived in Nome, Alaska, in 1925. When children in Nome become sick with an illness called diphtheria, the doctor realizes they need help. However, closest medicine available is in the city of Anchorage over 800 miles away. The only way to retrieve the medicine and save the children’s lives is to transport it with sled-dogs. The town plans for the medicine to travel by dog sled relay with each team waiting at a different stop. By the time the medicine gets to Balto and his owner Gunnar, the delivery was running behind. Balto and the sled dog team head towards Nome with the medicine, but face many dangers along the way. Through it all, Balto leads the sled dog team fearlessly and his courage leads to the delivery of the medicine in time to save the children of Nome. As students read about the historic delivery of the medicine that saved Nome, they will celebrate bravery and learn more about Balto, a figure that continues to live on in American memory.