Stone Fox Reviews

• A Terrific Story

  
  By A3KCMEJTRQHNAP on 2000-08-14
  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.
  
  

• A three hankie book

  
  By A3PEOF0GX4EN38 on 2005-07-17
  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.
  
  

• The book was very touching to read along with my son.

  
  By on 1999-07-22
  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.
  
  

• A book you'll love even if your mom gets it for you

  
  By A3QVI57VT1VGRO on 2002-03-31
  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.
  
  

• Stone Fox is a great book by John Reynolds

  
  By on 1999-11-04
  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.
  
  

• I fail to see any merit in reading this to a child....
  By A30DGSS0VRS4AA on 2005-12-28
  My second grader brought this paperback home, having received this paperback as a holiday gift. We read it together, and I found several things that struck me as inappropriate:
  1. One day grandfather would not get out of bed or speak. Reason, according to the town doc, is "your grandfather just doesn't want to live anymore."
  2. So--a ten-year-old boy is allowed to take care of Gramps full time, although the boy attends school then hangs out in town until 6PM. The boy begs Grandpa to get up, and finally works out hand signals for yes or no questions.
  3. The boy discovers that Gramps had not been paying the taxes, and decides to enter a race with the family dog. He uses his entire college savings to enter.
  4. The boy's main competitor is "Stone Fox" an "Indian" who in one scene smacks the kid in the eye, and at the dramatic ending of the race keeps the other racers back by firing his rifle.
  5. The family dog dies when his heart EXPLODES ten feet from the finish line.
  6. Onlookers to the race include the TOWN DRUNK who takes swigs of whiskey.
  
  I could list more, but you get the idea. My Grandpa is Native American, and I did not appreciate the depiction of Stone Fox. I also have had a relative who, although physically healthy, decided not to get out of bed one day. The horrific workload associated with caring for him is not anything a ten year old could handle. My perceptive son asked "how does Grandpa go to the bathroom?" Indeed.
  
  There are so many great stories for our kids. In my opinion, Stone Fox is not one of them.
  
  
• Please read Stone Fox!
  By on 2000-02-29
  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.
  
  
• This is way too sad for kids.
  By on 2006-05-11
  This may be the type of review for 13 and under kids, but I didn't have the time to go through the whole process for an adult review. I happen to be 15, but who cares? It's not like the system will collapse upon itself, or anything.
  
  Okay. This is a good book. It has a very good, if depressing, storyline. However, this book is too sad for kids in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade to be reading. I read this book too, when I was around there. I thought it was great, but...why do all of the Newberry Award books involve something precious to the main character dying? And why is it almost always a dog? Some other books like it are Sounder and Where The Red Fern Grows. I used to have my mom read books for school with me, and she cried when she read it.
  
  I hope that people will give better books to these kids, like A Samurai's Tale. THAT'S a good book. If people want to keep their kids' childlike innocence so badly, why don't they do something other than blame things that have nothing to do with the problem? *cough*videogames*cough* Their kids will go emo when they read this stuff. If you don't know what "emo" is, ask a teenager. They're very smart sometimes, and not the epitome of irresponsibility that some people *cough*adults*cough* make them out to be.
  
  Farewell,
  John "The Relentless Scourge on Silliness" Henneman
  John_Henneman@msn.com
  
  
• The Lasting Gift
  By A11DI317GCASZM on 2006-03-07
  I was 17 when my cousin, John Reynolds Gardiner, wrote this timeless story. John passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2006. He had been ill for some time. To the end, John sought to educate children and adults alike about the gift of storytelling for young people. His friends and family will always treasure Stone Fox as his greatest literary gift to our world, and, more importantly, for its expression of John's magnificent heart.
  
  Stone Fox tells a timeless story of a boy overcoming great odds to do something wonderful for the grandfather he loves. I highly recommend it both as a family book parents can read to their children, and as an adventure book young people can read for themselves.
  
  
• The Traditional Hero versus The Modern Hero
  By A12NJDXB54KILO on 2000-04-20
  Stone Fox is a children's novel based on the story of Willy, a ten-year-old boy who lives with his grandfather on a potato farm in Wyoming. After his grandfather becomes ill, Willy sets out to find out why his grandfather is so sick. With his grandfather's condition worsening daily, Willy eventually determines the cause is the fact that he cannot pay the taxes on his farm. Willy then enters a race with his trusty dog Searchlight to face Stone Fox, an Indian who was unbeatable at dog racing, and he comes out victorious winning the $500 prize to pay the farm taxes. Stone Fox embodies the common characteristics of the traditional hero found throughout literature. This story, based on a Rocky Mountain legend, is no different; it depicts the story of two heroes, Willy and Stone Fox, who put their energy into saving the people they love. These characters, however, fit two different types of heroes. Stone Fox is portrayed as a more traditional hero similar to male protagonists, whose stories have been told throughout the ages. Willy, however, tends to embody the characteristics of a modern hero. All aspects of Stone Fox's character depict him as a traditional hero. First, his physical stature fits a common mold of heroes from legends such as Beowulf and John Henry. He is described as a "giant," and his physique makes a profound impression on those who see him, especially Willy. His dogs were described in the text saying, "They pulled a large but lightly constructed sled. They also pulled a large-but by no means lightly constructed-man." This is similar to characters such as Goliath, a Biblical character, whose physical appearance alone can make his presence known. The second feature that supports this notion of a traditional hero is his cause. Like most other common heroes, Stone Fox's ultimate mission is not to win dog races but to save his people, the Shoshone Indians. The American government has taken their land, and he uses the money he wins from the dog races to buy back the land that was once the Shoshone's. In contrast to Stone Fox, Willy is a non-traditional hero whose character defies the parameters set by the traditional hero. Unlike most heroes, Willy is a ten-year-old child who lives on a potato farm; in addition, he is a child who doesn't seem to have parents close to him and is raised only by his grandfather. Yet he has the responsibility at that age to take on the adult tasks of running a farm, determining his the cause of his grandfather's illness, and training for a race. In taking charge of curing his grandfather, he requests frequent visits from Doc Smith; and when no one else can cure his grandfather, Willy's perseverance helps him determine his grandfather suffers from an emotional ailment, not physical. All of these are extreme undertakings emotionally, but they would be virtually impossible for a boy of such a small physique and life experience. In addition, Willy is a modern hero who doesn't rely on his wisdom or wit to become heroic. Willy simply uses what he has, whether it is the $50 in the bank or a dog named Searchlight to accomplish his goals. Because Willy would not have been what people would have traditionally thought of a heroic figure, he portrays a modern hero. These two figures with different intentions both use dog racing to save others. Both Willy and Stone Fox become inspirations for the people of their village. Although one a traditional hero and the other a modern hero, both characters use their brave actions to save those they love.
  
  
• A good book
  By on 2001-01-26
  Stone Fox is a good book.A 10-year old boy has a sick grandfather.And that's not the only problem.The boy (named little Willy)has to pay 500 dollars or their farm will be taken away from them!The only way to get 500 dollars is to win the National Dog Sled Race.Little Willy has a dog.Her name is Searchlight.She is a black dog with a white spot on her forhead the size of a silver dollar.Little Willy and Searchlight try to beat other racers and Stone Fox, the legendary Indian. Stone Fox has never lost a race, but could this be his first loss? Can Little Willy beat him? I like this book because it's exciting to me. The reason I gave it four stars instead of five stars is because there is something in Chapter 10 that makes me give it four stars. The only way you can find out what it is, is to read Stone Fox.
  
  
• A five star not too long read
  By on 2001-03-24
  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.
  
  
• Stone Fox
  By on 2001-10-02
  Most people believe that short stories are not the best stories in the world, but rather the long novels are. But this book has virtually disproved that saying. I am a 12 year old reader, and I love long novels about mysteries and romances. I am not one for stories with themes or morals. But this is one book that has totally changed that for me. My third grade teacher read Stone Fox to me, and at the end, my whole class was crying. It is so moving and wonderfully written, words can not express the love I have for this book. Little Willy was forced to make mature and wise choices, and he made these choices on behalf of his very sick Grandfather. Then one day he found a poster for a dog sled race, and the winner got $500! Little Willy was sure that Grandfather's disability to pay the taxes was the cause of his sickness, so money would be the remedy! But he is up against 10 to 1 odds, because of the almighty indian, Stone Fox. What happens will make you happy and extremely sad, so be prepared for one of the saddest, yet one of the best books around.
  
  
• Stone Fox
  By on 2006-05-31
  I really liked this book. My favorite part was during the Race when Stone Fox was in last place and he came up right next to Little Willy. I thought the Ending was very sad because Searchlight died.
  
  
• It was one of the most depressing books, but it was good.!
  By A12QERLIJX70JJ on 2000-02-07
  I started this book with an open mind and left it with a sad but happy heart.

  Stone Fox is about a young boy wanting to overcome his age and be an adult, and I think he did in this book. His grandfather was very sick. Willy and his grandfather had a lot of unpaid taxes. So young Willy wants to get money. First he harvests the potato field. But that did not make the granddad any better. About 2 weeks later he sees an ad up for a winter dog sled race. That would be it. That would make the grandfather better. His dog, Spotlight, is really fast. He could get all the money, but will he? He is up against the Indian, Stone Fox. Will he win and get the money or will he lose and get nothing?

  I would love if you got to read this great book, because it is for all ages and all kinds of people.
  
  

• Stone Fox
  By on 2001-01-26
  I would rate the book Stone Fox 5 stars because it's sad, exciting,and it's a book you can't put down! It's about a ten year old boy named Little Willy who lives on a farm with his Grandfather and his dog named Searchlight. When his Grandfather gets sick Little Willy has to run the farm with the help of his dog. When a tax man comes to the farm one day he tells Little Willy that Grandfather hasn't been paying his taxes he needs to pay $500.00. If they don't get $500.00 soon they will take the farm away. Now how is Little Willy going to get $500.00.Little Willy sees an ad that the dog sled races are coming to town.The prize money just happens to be $500.00.They say an Indian named Stone Fox is in it.They also say he never lost a race. Read the book to see if Little Willy enters the race and wins!
  
  
• Hauntingly memorable
  By A1DW3V79HBUPIF on 2001-12-15
  I read this book when I was in 3rd grade and it has stayed with me ever since. For years I have wondered where it had gotten off to, continuously haunted by the power of the story and the uncommonly judicious characterization. I was even physically affected by it then, and remembering it today, I cannot help but get shivers. I am gratified to have found it after all these years--this is truly a book that will stay with one forever, provoking much the same reaction, more than a decade later, as when I first read it as a susceptible 8-year-old. I recommend it to any and everyone.
  
  
• A truly amazing book
  By on 2003-07-19
  Stone Fox is a book that I would recommend to anyone. It has a great message and teaches kids to believe in themselves. My first grade teacher read this book to my class and ever since then, I've never forgotten it. It was the first book to ever make me cry, and it still makes me cry whenever I read it. It's a must read for parents and children everywhere.
  
  
• Stone Fox
  By on 2005-12-02
  Stone Fox is about a little boy named Willy. He has a dog named Searchlight. He thought his grandfather was playing with him when he wouldn't answer him and wouldn't get out of bed. But then little Willy got worried. So he went to see Doc Smith. The town nurse. She also thought that he was just playing with him. She asked if went to bed late that night. Willy said," No harmonica or anything!"
  "He went to bed without playing his harmonica!?" asked Doc Smith
  "Yes," said Willy
  "Hitch up Rex I'll go get my bag.
  When they got to little Willy's house they rushed upstairs to grandfather. Doc Smith used all the little tools in her bag. She said he was as healthy as an ox. She said that he just didn't want to live anymore...
  
  
  My favorite part:
  My favorite part in this story is when Willy sees his grandfather out of his bed during the race.
  
  My favorite character:
  My favorite character is Searchlight. I love black dogs.
  
  How I liked the book:
  I liked the book a lot! It's my second favorite book ever.
  
  
  
• Good Book - filled with excitement, hope and sorrow
  By AFXDJ6WCFYK9D on 2006-02-23
  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.
  
  
• Best Story Ever!
  By A19QYGTCYNBAMM on 2006-05-02
  I am 8 years old and this is the best story ever! A 10 year old kid taking care of his Grandfather in being brave to have only one dog in a dog sled race. Wow! Stone Fox should be the title because he was the only one who let Little Willie win. That's hard being the only responsible and brave one when you are only 10 years old. I loved this story so much!
  
  
• Stone fox
  By on 2006-05-30
  I loved the stone fox the book it had sad parts and happy parts but the thing i liked the best was the race and how stone fox was a Indian. I also liked how at the end stone fox was nice to little Willy.
  
  
  
• Wonful
  By on 2006-08-10
  I love that book it was a very instead on the last chapther I cry
  
  
• A terrific book!
  By A39QHH4OUQA3JJ on 2000-06-23
  I teach third graders in NY! My class and I loved this book so much! It provides a wide range of topics to integrate while reading: geographical locations, info on dog sled races, caring for the elderly and sick, the pay off for working hard and overcoming impossible odds. We were happy and then very sad... it is wonderfully written too. The author demonstrates to children the benefits of figurative and descriptive writing ! We would highly recommend this book!
  
  
• A wonderful and touching story. Two thumbs way, way up!
  By on 1999-10-13
  This book was very interesting. I'm only in 6th grade and my teacher read the book aloud to the class. I think Willie was brave to take on adult responsibilities as a child. He took over the farm and his grandfather's life when he (grandfather) fell ill.
  
  
• An exciting story and an easy read.
  By A3732RSIH3ERBA on 1999-06-04
  Stone Fox is a great book for everyone. It is easy to read and not long at all. It has 81 pages and 10 chapters, which makes it easy for anyone to read. It's a book about a boy and his grandfather living at a farm. The grandpa gets sick for some reason, so the ten year old boy needs to raise money for the taxes and help his grandfather get better at the same time. He decides to enter the dog sledding contest with his dog named Searchlight against an Indian named Stone Fox. I really enjoyed this book even though I'm in sixth grade and the reading was easy. I don't want to give away the ending, so read this terrific book for yourself!
  
  
• The best book ever !
  By A1VIN3IA2Y0OPB on 1999-11-03
  This book is about a boy and his loyal dog that try to help his grandfather and enter a dog sled race.There racing against the best racer.They get 50 yards from the finish line and...You read the rest.I recomend this book to all ages.[ But make sure you have a box of tissues.]
  
  
• A weak, weak book.
  By on 1999-01-23
  I have a hard time understanding why so many of my teaching colleagues like this book. It is very poorly crafted and very predictable. Many of the situations are painfully unrealistic and the Native American character borders on stereotyping. This is a book to avoid.
  
  
• This book to me was very touching and made me cry.
  By on 1999-02-04
  I have come to tell you about a book that is not only for you but for all ages.The book is no other than Stone Fox written by John R.Gardiner and illustated by Marcia Sewall.I know this is a good book because of 3 reasons personal experience,experiences from teachers and students,and newspaper ratings.

  Reason one is from my personal experience.When I read this book it was interesting,and had a lot of action,I rated it excelllent.Some of the parts brought me to tears and had an hard impact on me.For some reason I just couldn't what would happen to me if I was in the same situation as Willy.I beleive that this story was so baffling because it showed something that we might not see very often.Ayoung child taking the position of a man and maybe even ding more than he can handle and that's why I chose and love this book.

  Reason Two is from student and teacher experience.On the Internet at www.amazon.com I read the e-mail feed back from a teacher that said this"I read this book and loved it so much,I can't harldy wait to read it to my students!"Now to me not any book can impress a teacher to read it to her class but this one did!Also a class of students said:"We all like Stone Fox and recommend it to everyone!A teacher on amazon.com said:"It moved me to tears,and also had an huge impact.Even though not listed under my reasons parents are recognizing the greatness about this book,one parent said this:"It's worth reading,it beacme my son's favorite."Now that shoul be enough to convince you that it is a great book.But I have one more paragraph to convince you.

  Reason three is the newspaper ratings.Now you be saying:"Yeh.All that experience stuff is good but where is the editorial side of it.Well I just want you to know this is what the Chicago-Sun-Times said:"This story deserves four stars."Another newspaper The New Yorker said:'A superb piece of storytelling-withut doubt the most exciting and moving book this season.I hope you that because two of the nation's most popular newspapers said that.

  In conclusion I want you to know that this book can make you laugh and cry at the same time.Also it shows you about a wonderful moral.That is responsibility,and how a young child can do the things that are expected from a man.That is why I love this book and believe it is wonderful.
  
  

• Stone Fox
  By A1MVZ6NJ64QVHH on 2001-01-20
  This book is one of the best that I have ever read.This author is good real good he told every thing so well.Stone Fox took place in in a litte town in Whyoming. It's about a 10 year old boy that lives with his grand father, and they live on a potato. His grand father has a Illness and can't get out of bed. Grand father can not talk or move. The only thing he can move is one hand but not much. They need to get money to survive.They have to get the farm going. His grand father is broke and if they don't get the money for taxes the farm will be taken from them. Little Willie The boy enters in a dog sled race to get money from the prize cash $500. the race is 10 miles long and he kows half it by heart. the other half not really. He later finds out that Stone Fox is racing.Stone Fox has never lost a race in his life. Little Willie does so well and he is neck to neck when somthing happen 10 feet in front of the finish line. If you want to hear the rest READ THE BOOK.
  
  

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