Book excerpt: A girl, her mother, and their dog must find a way to survive in gold rush-era Alaska. After escaping from his brutal and merciless owner, Murphy is taken in by a young girl named Sally. She and her mother have just arrived in Nome, Alaska, intent on joining the other gold seekers and making a new life. Yet even with Murphy at their side, Sally and Mama find living in the mining town harsh and forbidding. When it seems they may have to return to San Francisco, Sally and Murphy decide to strike out on their own, hoping to find gold and make a permanent home. But dangers await them—not only blizzards and grizzly bears, but also Murphy's original owner, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The Dog Chronicles series features fast-paced, fascinating historical fiction about working dogs, perfect for readers who love books.