Stone Fox

Bought for a friend and she was very excited to get it.

Good condition.

Great book, competitively priced and fast shipping!

My daughter needed for school. The book arrived in perfect condition. No concerns.

This book was read to us in the 3rd grade. It brought me back to that time and it’s such a great easy read that made me experience some emotion. Highly recommend.

This is a very fast read. The story is engaging especially for kids 10-12 who want a good story but don't want one with too much description. Some of the story could be troubling to adults, but kids will accept the story's parameters. It begins with the mystery of why young Willy's grandfather is sick. It turns out that he has given up on life...but why? Willy finds out that his grandfather hasn't paid his taxes for 10 years and his debt now seems insurmountable and the tax man cometh. Willy is a likable character because he loves his grandfather and will do anything to help him get well. Adults may be upset that the old man doesn't seem to care about the fear he is putting the boy through. But Willy just begins to do what he can as his grandfather has always done for him. Willy discovers that there is a dog sled race in his town and the prize is just enough to pay off the tax bill. He can enter even though he only has one dog, Searchlight. But a famous Indian, Stone Fox, is also entering and he has never lost a race. There is a violent scene which is upsetting, but Willy comes to understand that Stone Fox has a very pressing reason to win the race too. What happens the day of the race is the greatest mystery in the book. The ending satisfies in many ways but it will be difficult for readers younger than about 10 to deal with.I recommend this book for ages 10-12 as I've said. I think it would make a better read between a parent and child so that the parent might bring out some nuances that would be hard for the child to understand.

This book is about life -- life is not perfect. A child sets out to achieve the seemingly impossible, and he doesn't get much help, support, or encouragement. His goal keeps driving him forward, that plus the love and joy between himself and his dog, Searchlight.The surprise ending is bittersweet. We all cried at the finish line.The adult problems -- depression, debt, and fear -- are simplified. Very young readers can kind of bypass the implications of all that adult stuff. The child character -- Little Willy -- has struggles of his own, which come through loud and clear.The implacable burden of heavy taxation comes through, too -- here comes the tax man.I read this out loud to my family of boys. We enjoyed it very much. Every chapter has at least one sketched illustration.If your older kids are interested in this topic -- a child helping a stricken parent and meeting difficult goals -- try "The Barn" by Avi.

Definetly a class favorite. It is sad at the end, but it holds students’ attention and opens up great discussions.