Customer Reviews

Stone Fox

5 star:		(146)
4 star:		(76)
3 star:		(41)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(23)

 

 

Ten year old Willy lives in Jackson, Wyoming on a potato farm with his grandfather and his dog Searchlight. When his grandfather falls ill and the tax collector comes calling for back taxes, Willy is determined to find the money to save the farm. But where can a 10 year old boy earn $500? He sees an advertisement for the National Dogsled Race, held each year in Jackson and decides to enter. He is convinced that he and Searchlight can beat the other racers, among them, an American Indian, Stone Fox. Stone Fox has a team of five Samoyeds and has never lost a race. He races to earn prize money so that he can buy back land taken from his people. John Reynolds Gardiner has written a beautiful story of faith and courage with strong, exciting scenes that move the story along at a fast pace. With its powerful, emotional ending, youngsters begin to understand that not every story has a happy ending and you have to learn to accept the good with the bad. Stone Fox is a story of two heroes, trying to win the race for good causes and in the end, they were both winners. A must read for children age 9-12 and the perfect read-aloud family book.

This old tale was required reading in my son's 4th grade class last year. I had never heard of it before and it didn't look all that interesting either. I picked it up and was reading the last two chapters or so and then the tears started flowing. I mean, this was a heavy sob and I couldn't stop. Thankfully, it got better at the very end and the waterworks stopped. Not many children's books have such a powerful effect on me like this one has. I think Stone Fox can teach children of all ages (this one isn't a kid anymore) ) the meaning of love and determination like no other book can. I recommend it highly. It should be right up there on your list.

This was one of the first chapter books my 7-year-old son ever read. Even though he was just learning, the exciting story about the boy racing his favorite sled dog to get prize money to save the family farm was gripping. Not too hard or too long either.

Even though I am a grown-up, the ending surprised me and moved me. It was exciting, and it made me think. Kids, read it before they assign it in school! Parents, if you have a reluctant reader, give this one a try. You will even enjoy it yourselves.

The story of Stone Fox was very interesting to me. My son was required to read this book for his summer reading list. The struggle that young people go through in life is sometimes overlooked. I feel that Gardiner focuses on the struggles. Willy has decided to save the farm and what he believes to be his Grandfathers life. In this story a young boy must make adult decisions. Willy could have easily let his Grandfather stay with someone else but he chose to care for him and perform the chores of raising a crop. These are very mature decisions made by a young boy. I could feel the love Willy had for his Grandfather as well as the love Searchlight had for Willy. Although the ending was sad it allowed us to view the reality of life. Some struggles end in death and not with happy endings. I would encourage people to read and look beyond the words on the pages. This book was intense with emotional moments that would bring tears to anyones eyes.

Stone Fox is about a boy named Willy;he and his family lived in a small town. When winter setteled in,the grandfather got sick. Can Willy take care of the farm and make money? To find out you must read this book. It is the best book. A child 14 years-old could still relate to Willy's issues. I recommend you read this book because you will enjoy it.

There are many good charactres in this story,but the main characters are Willy,and his dog Search light. Willy is a good boy who only wants to keep his remaining family alive. Shearch light, is Willy's loyal dog who is at Willy's side all the time. I like this book because of the type of person Willy is. He was small yet determined. He was a good sport,and he played fair. He was young in the story about 10.,I like these types of stories beacause thay have good endings. This book is a must read.

Overall, I thought Stone Fox was really good, but there were some parts I didn't like. I didn't like the fact that the story didn't tell much about Stone Fox's dogs. However, I did like that there were a lot of different descriptions about the harsh winter weather in Wyoming. I especially liked that there were a lot of details and I could picture what was happening in my mind. I liked how there were some funny parts like when Grandfather dressed up like a scarecrow. Stone Fox was so exciting that I couldn't stop reading until the end. My favorite part was when Little Willy carried Searchlight over the finish line and even won. I encourage many other students to read the book Stone Fox.

Stone Fox is a great book for all elementary students. It is about a ten year old boy (named little Willy) and his dog Searchlight. His grandpa is keeping a secret from him which is the cause of grandpa being sick. When little Willy finds out what the secret is he learns that he must get 500$ and fast. What luck, there just so happens to be a dog sled race going on and the prize money is 500$! When he enters he knows he must win and if he doesn't grandpa won't get better and their farm will be taken away from them. Little Willy feels very confident in himself, but the great Stone Fox is coming. He has never lost a race. Does he beat the great Stone Fox? Does grandpa get better? Do they keep their farm? Use my advice and read the book to find out.

I read this book called Stone Fox . I liked it because it was exiting . It made me want to keep on reading , and also the characters were belivable . They had feelings and had problems that can be real . This book is about this poor boy trying to help his grandpa get better by winning a Dog Sled Race , but somthing surprising is going to happen at the end .I'm not going to tell you so read to find out .

My son read Stone Fox at school in the second grade. He recommended that I read it (we read a lot of books together), so I did. This is a good book because it has substance, and unlike a lot of good books on the fourth grade level, the vocabulary is quite accessible to second graders. There are a couple of sad scenes, but through it all there is a well-mannered, ten year old little boy who embodies determination, loyalty, and love. This book has suspense, excitement, and great discussion points.

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.