IN THE OLD DAYS THERE WERE SONGS Something is bothering Russel Susskit. He hates waking up to the sound of his father\u00b4s coughing, the smell of diesel oil, the noise of snow machines starting up. Only Oogruk, the shaman who owns the last team of dogsin the village, understands Russel\u00b4s longing for the old ways and the songs that celebrated them. But Oogruk cannot give Russel the answers he seeks; the old man can only prepare him for what he must do alone. Driven by a strange, powerful dream of a long-ago self and by a burning desire to find his own song, Russel takes Oogruk\u00b4s dogs on an epic journey of self-discovery that will change his life forever. A Newbery Honor Book An ALA Best Book for Young Adults An ALA Notable Book A School Library Journal Best Book.