Stone Fox

Title/Author: Stone Fox, John Reynolds Gardiner

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Publisher: HarperTrophy is a registered trade mark of HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
pages: 83

Awards/Honors: NA

Summary: A young boy struggles to keep his grandfather's farm from being taken due to taxes owed. He decides to enter a dog sled race in which the prize money is enough to save his grandfather's farm and his grandfather's life. The boy encounters many obstacles along his journey and learns a lesson in the greatest sacrifice one can make.

Personal Rating: ****Great!!! I loved this book and so did my students. Near the end of the story we were all crying when the greatest sacrifice is made.

Reading Level: 4.0
Interest Level: third grade to sixth grade

Problem/Difficulties: When the dog dies at the end of the story some of the children became emotional. It was overwhelming, but sad for some. It did give some of them a chance to share personal experiences.

Reading activities: There is a comprehension quiz that is given for every two chapters of the story. Character Analysis of Little Willy and also a character comparison of Little Willy and Stone Fox.

Math Activities: The students complete various exercises that involve taxes. The students also make Twice-Baked Potatoes. They need to measure the ingredients and follow the directions for time and temperature.
The students create a daily schedule of Little Willy's activities and the amount of time he spends on each of his daily activities. The children have to factor elasped time.

Art: Design a T-Shirt that could be given out as part of your entry in a dog sled race.

Writing: Write a different ending to the story, write letter to Little willy encouraging him to do his best, Write a letter for the town newspaper describing the dog sled race.

Social Studies: Locate on the map, Complete a KWL chart of Wyoming, plan route that would take the dog sled racers to various parts of the United States, Find other areas that hold dog sled races and compare and contrast.