Stone Fox

Title: Stone Fox        

Author: John Gardiner

Copyright Date: 1980                   

Genre: Fiction                                     

Pages of Book: 81 Pages

Publisher: Cowell International                                                

Reading Level: grades 4-5

Summary: A young boy named Willy lives with his grandfather. They have a lot of good times together farming and playing. Until one day his grandfather won't get out of bed. Willy runs and gets the doctor. The doctor says that something is worrying him so much that he is sick and won't talk. He has given up on life and might die. Willy believed that his grandfather is just worried about the crop this year. Him and his dog searchlight harvest the crop since he doesn't have money to rent a horse. However, his grandpa doesn't get better. One day a man shows up and tells Willy that his grandfather hasn't paid taxes on the farm and owes the government 500 dollars. Willy isn't going to loose the farm. He sees a poster about a dog sled race and the prize is 500 dollars. Willy pulls out all his college fund to pay for his entry fee. Willy goes up against an indian that has never lost. Willy is ahead most of the race until the end. As he goes past the farm he sees that his grandfather is standing in the window. Searchlight runs so fast that her heart bursts a few feet from the finish line. The indian stops and threatens anyone that attempts to cross the finish line. He lets Willy win the race in the end. 

Reaction: This is my all time favorite book. I don't remember reading this when I was a child so I'm sure I just didn't read it because I would remember this one. 

Problem:  Willy's grandfather is really sick.

Recommendation: I would most definitely recommend this book. It shows the true love that people can have for man and animals.