Scrub Dog of Alaska

by Walt Morey

After a runt sled dog is raised by a young boy, the dog's cruel owner demands his return.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Dogs, Young Adult, Adventure

152 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 1971

About the author

Walt Morey was an award-winning author of numerous works of children's fiction set in the U.S. Pacific Northwestand Alaska, the places where Morey lived for all of his life. His book Gentle Ben was the basis for the 1967 movie Gentle Giant and the 1967-1969 television show Gentle Ben.

He wrote a total of 17 published books, most of which involve as a central plot element the relationship between man and animals. Many of his works involve survival stories, or people going into the wild to "discover" themselves; redemption through nature is a common theme of Morey's works.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite books of all time. I first heard it in the 5th grade and have read it MANY times since. I just wish I could get my hands on a copy of my own, so that I don't have to always search for it whenever I go anywhere book-ish.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walt Morey was my great grandfather, my parents gave me the middle name Morey in his honor. He died when I was young, so I remember very little of him. My father remembers him sitting at his desk with a typewriter poking away at the keys. I am embarrassed to admit that I had not read his books until now. With all this time at home (thanks, COVID), I decided it is time I finally kick my butt into gear and read them.

Scrub Dog of Alaska is different from Gentle Ben and Kavik the Wolf Dog in that it feels more mature. It touches on more sensitive subjects like animal cruelty and racism against Native Americans. It also is more somber with a large chunk of the storyline following the animal-abusing, villain with a gambling problem, and a pivotal point in the book involves the tragic death of the main character's parents. Though all of Walt Morey's books are intended for young readers, I would save this one for the more developed. Now that I got that out, it does have some great values I appreciated - anti-racism, loyalty, following your heart, and trusting your gut.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teacher read this to my class in the fourth grade. It's the best story about a boy and his sled dog and the dogs cruel owner. It's a great read for any animal lover! I recently just got my own copy to share with dog lovers I know!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I first read this many years ago in middle school. I still have a hardback copy today. complete with dust jacket! And I still read it every once in a while just for fun. A great book, especially for a young boy stuck inside on a frigid winter's weekend...

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, couldn't put it down.

[Lorri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book several times. I love this story. I have a hardback copy.

[Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was about 11 or so and really enjoyed it. Just finished reading it to my children. The 8 and 10 yr olds really enjoyed it.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think we own at least one of every book Walt Morey wrote. Both in paperback and Hardcover. Excellent writer.

[April Rudolph · Rating 1 out of 5]

I remember my 2nd grade teacher reading this to our class. The only memory I have was my teacher saying, "It's time to read the Scrub Dog of Alaska!" Not remembering the content of the story, I decided to read it. Rereading it as an adult, I am not sure how he got away with it. So much violence and beating of both animals and humans. It just made me sad the entire time. I am hoping some of his other books are better, especially since I voted as a child to name the new middle school in my district after him...

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though at times slow and plodding, this book was surprisingly engaging. I found the emotional plot points powerful and was engrossed in the anti-racist commentary. However, I struggled to appreciate the shifting viewpoint of different characters--both human and animal. And I found the unrelenting machismo and gruff masculinity (the novel consistently celebrates physical strength, violence, and harsh obstinacy) problematic.

[Mark Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t expect this to be good, turns out it was fantastic. Read to my boys at bedtime, I was in tears at a couple of points where I was suckerpunched, and more than once came away and had to read ahead to make sure everything turned out ok. Brilliant reading, will be on the lookout for more Morey books.

[David Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a kid, around Isaiah’s age. Read it this time with Addie I loved it, it is almost right up there with Charlotte‘s Web for me. I remembered it was a local author, but that was all, and had low expectations; so I was quite pleasantly surprised at how well-written it was, what an engaging story in a simpler time and place for a boy to grow up.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and do text
.

[Jennifer Brubaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books!

[AsimovsZeroth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was young, Scrub Dog of Alaska was one of my favorite books. It’s been so many years since I’ve reread it, that I really couldn’t remember many details. Scrub is about a young husky/wolf mix that has been driven out by his owner. A nasty man who mistreats his sled dog team and his neighbors. Scrub escapes an early death at the hands of his master and instead spends time running about the town, nicking food from loosely latched cold boxes and trying to avoid his former pack, as they delight in stealing his ill gotten gains. One day, Scrub is desperate enough to fight back and is nearly mauled to death. Lucky for him, a kind miner finds him and brings him to the nearby home of his friends, which just happens to be the home of David, a kind boy who had been feeding Scrub his school lunches, until he breaks a leg and has to stay home. David and Scrub end up bonding as they heal together, but when Scrub has grown large from regular meals and has started training as a sled dog, his original owner decides to take him back. David never forgets his dog, but has no recourse. Scrub meanwhile, is taken to compete in races, but he doesn’t forget his boy and bides his time – wishing to escape and make it back home.

I loved this book as a kid and found it delightful as an adult. It’s a good introduction to the unfairness of life and the powerlessness of adults to always protect children from such, without becoming too depressing. My only complaint is a certain scene that feels like it was unconsciously lifted from The Call of the Wild. I’m speaking of the scene in which drunken mushers decide to have a contest to see which dog can haul the heavier load after breaking the runners of the sled out of the ice through sheer force. Though the motivation of the dog is different, the circumstances are the same. Buck in The Call of the Wild does it for love of his master, while Scrub is trying to avoid being beaten to death.

Other than that though, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s a quick read, easy to burn through in a day. Certainly a good book for young readers trying to get into their first chapter books. It’s a coming of age story, an adventure story, but most of all it’s a love story, between a boy and his dog.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a dog and a boy. the boy saves the runt pup which is named scrub. they both get back to good health together and the boy makes scrub a lead sled dog but then scrubs real owner that tried to kill srub wants him back. so then the boy has to move away and they are both unhappy and want to be back with each other. during a sled race the boy and scrub meet again and makes the owner lose the race and gets make then scrud gets away and surches for the boy. then they are later reunited and are a family again. i like this book because its a good story about a boy and his dog and how the love between them stays stronge. the only thing i dislike about the book is that is a little slow at the beginnng. in the book this quote really desribes how muck love the dog had for the boy david "it was logical the dog might head back for aurora to look for David."(pg140) in the end they were right the dog did go back and look for the boy david his friend.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. Have read it many times, All my children and grandchildren love it. It is about a dog who gets driven off by the cruel owner when still a pup, about its survival and much more. Very difficult book to put down.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first "chapter books" I read way, way, way back. At the time I was 1. living in Alaska and 2. obsessed with dogs. Only one of those things is still true. Definitely a good book for the smart, dog-loving, adventurous kid in your life.

[Chris]

This was a very good book. I recomend it for many other readers if you like adventure. it starts out sad but i promise you it ends out very happy.

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childhood book! I re-read it awhile ago and it totally holds up - in fact, I devoured it in less than a day. So good!!!!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book growing up!

[John Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

love it when i was a kid walt morey is amazing

[Carole]

great