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Dogsong is a 1985 young adult novel by Gary Paulsen and is a Newbery Honor Book winner.

Plot
Inspired by the Eskimo shaman Oogruk,Dogsong tells the story of Russel Susskit, a young Inuit living in the shadows of what he perceives as Western society’s incursion upon his Eskimo culture. He travels across ice floes, tundra, and mountains, haunted along the way by a dream of a long-ago self whose adventures parallel his own.Even to Russel, the idea is somewhat preposterous: While the community venerates and respects Oogruk’s role in their society, he is blind and therefore considered invalid and he is also considered wildly eccentric and completely out of touch with the contemporary mores encroaching upon his people. Russels father notices how unhappy he is and sends him to find his happiness in an old fashion matter. Reality melds with the dream when he finds an Eskimo girl named Nancy, who has run away from her village after becoming pregnant. Circumstances require him to provide for himself and the girl in a harsh and unforgiving land. Russel sets out looking for food, for Nancy and himself, after Nancy gives birth to a baby. On the mission Russel is starved and is forced to learn the ways of his culture. He deals with many difficult circumstances in order to support not only himself but the Eskimo girl and child she is caring. He goes out to hunt seals and gets caught in a storm and is forced to take shelter in a cage. The same way that dogs would he did.

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Characters

 * Russel Susskit-- A 14 year old Eskimo boy who is unhappy with the ways of his village. He is in search for the old ways of his culture and seeks the help of his elders for this history and help. He uses his dogs to travel in his journey to search for answers about his well being.
 * Nancy-- The female character in the story who Russel finds in the snowy wilderness while pregnant. Russel rescues her and keeps her company. She also accompanies him in feeding the dogs. Russel delivers her baby but passes away soon after birth. Nancy becomes very ill and Russel manages to take her to the closest village where she is saved and is forever grateful.
 * Oogruk-- An old elder and Eskimo shaman who is blind. Russel spends a lot of time with Oogruk after he is disturbed about the changes that were occurring in his village. He also talks to Russel about his past and how each person had a song that they can identify themselves with. He lets Russel know to bring him to the frozen ocean, where he wants to bid farewell as his resting spot for the end of his life.
 * Russel’s father-- The father of the main protagonist Russel. His wife leaves him for a trapper and most of Russel’s life is spent with his father. He informs Russel to go and speak to Oogruk for advice during his journey.
 * Dogs The dogs are Russels companions during his journey to a better culture. They are their through the storm and keep Russel and Nancy company.

Awards

 * Newbery Medal Honor Book in 1985.
 * Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Nominee in 1987