Little Fur #2: A Fox Called Sorrow [Paperback]

Isobelle Carmody (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2008 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Little Fur (Book 2)

In a fox called Sorrow, the adventures continue for Little Fur. When Little Fur discovers that the Troll king is plotting against the Earth Spirit that binds all living things, she sets off on a new quest with a set of unlikely companions: the faithful cat Ginger, a reluctant rat, and a mysterious fox called Sorrow who believes their quest is doomed. Can someone as small as Little Fur prove him wrong? Absolutely!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Shortly after her first adventure in Little Fur: The Legend Begins (Random, 2006), elf troll Little Fur is on another dangerous quest. In order to discover what evil plot the Troll King has conceived to destroy the earth magic running through the natural world, she joins a fellowship that ventures beneath the city to Underth, the realm of the trolls. Her companions include her loyal feline friend Ginger, two stealthy sibling ferrets, and an unwilling rat as a guide. However, the most intriguing member of the group is Sorrow, a fox whose sole wish is to die and who joins the quest to achieve that end. Little Fur's healer instincts demand that she attempt to discover and cure what ails the fox's body and spirit, but he proves an unwilling patient. Though the story builds on the events of the previous novel, it is not necessary to have read it to enjoy this one. In fact, this installment is more cohesive and less didactic than the earlier one and has a better developed and more rounded character in Sorrow. The simple pen-and-ink drawings add little to the narrative. Patrick Carman's "The Land of Elyon" series (Scholastic) is similar and superior, but readers who enjoy a tame eco-fantasy should be satisfied with Little Fur's return.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Little Fur is back on another dangerous mission to thwart the troll king's evil plans. Sett Owl, an oracle of the earth-spirit, charges a small group of animals to journey to the troll kingdom Underearth and discover the king's plans for spreading a plague among humans. The gentle half-elf, half-troll girl volunteers to accompany them in order to save the leader of the group, a cynical fox called Sorrow, who wishes only to die and be free of his ruined life. This is a strong sequel to The Legend Begins (2006), with more depth of character and more at stake in the adventure. One of the most intriguing figures here is Sorrow, who will, no doubt, have a large role in future books, and as Little Fur confronts her troll side in the Underearth, her dual troll-elf heritage is brought closer to the forefront. Charmingly skewed black-and-white drawings go well with the childlike innocence of Carmody's heroine. At least two additional Little Fur books are planned. Krista Hutley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (January 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375838570
• ISBN-13: 978-0375838576
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.7 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,365,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale Seen Through Other Creatures' Eyes, December 21, 2007

By 

Lea - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Fur #2: A Fox Called Sorrow (Hardcover)

Throughout "A Fox Called Sorrow", this talented Australian writer, Isobelle Carmody, vividly reflects how alienating the human world is to other creatures, and how pervasive and confusing. Cars are terrifying "road beasts" and trains are "road serpents", and Little Fur, the elf troll, cannot set foot on the wide, black roads, lest she break her contact with the earth, which suffocates beneath these poisonous black veins, and with the "earth magic" that assists her abilities as a healer of injured animals and trees. Most heartbreaking is the fox's, Sorrow's, tragic history at the hands of humans.

This beautiful story has so much to offer that is immensely valuable and original, in its poignancy, in its portrayal of integrity and compassion and bravery within and through tragedy and cruelty and grief, and its very important underlying messages of environmentalism, respect for the earth and for all creatures, and the strength of love and hope, even through the darkest despair and loss. And the ending is wonderful!

I selected this beautiful book quite randomly - partly because of the cover's gorgeous velvet nape on my edition - and I'm so impressed.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantasy from Australia, May 13, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little Fur #2: A Fox Called Sorrow (Hardcover)

Isobelle Carmody's LITTLE FUR: A FOX CALLED SORROW provides a fantasy from Australia about a half elf, half troll girl who heals animals in the heart of a major city. Her discovery that her world is threatened leads to an extraordinary journey to the heart of what she fears with a mysterious fox called Sorrow, who believes their journey is doomed to fail.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, interesting book, March 20, 2011

By 

Old Mom - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Fur #2: A Fox Called Sorrow (Paperback)

My daughter, age 6 LOVES fairies, princesses and Harry Potter. She thinks the Little Fur books are marvelous. We read one chapter each night and then review what has happened previously each night. She keeps trying to guess what will happen next and how the book will end. She has read two of the books and can't wait to get the third one of the series.

My 3 year old also likes the books, but her attention span will only get her through about half a chapter at a time.