John Reynolds GardinerReseñas

Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-5
Named New York Times Outstanding Children's Book

Independent Reading Level: Grades 3-6
Awards: Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — 1984)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1994)
Sequoyah Book Award (Nominee — Children's — 1983)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Winner — Children's Fiction — 1985)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 1983)
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (Nominee — 1984)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 1985)
Alabama Camellia Children's Choice Book Award (Winner — 1986-1987)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 1987)

Little Willy has a big job to do. When his grandfather falls ill, it is up to Willy alone to save their farm from the tax collector. But where can a ten-year-old get five hundred dollars in a hurry? Then Willy sees the poster for the National Dogsled Race.

The race pits Willy against the best dog teams in the country, including the Indian Stone Fox and his five beautiful Samoyeds, who have never lost a race. And Stone Fox wants the prize money as badly as Willy does. Willy's dog, Searchlight, is every bit as fast as the competition, and Willy knows the terrain better than anyone. But can one boy and one dog be a match for the unbeatable Stone Fox?

Very traumatic. Super depressing.

There is something about this book that shakes up everything most kid books are built upon. While many can name more modern kids books with death, this one easily is short and shakes you up by the time you reach the end. You don't quite see it coming, but when it does, you might just go dang.

I read this book in elementary school, and it continues to stick with me after 20 years.

This story is about Willy and his sick grandfather. It depicts his journey in which he is trying desperately to save his grandfather. However, his actions have unforeseeable consequences.

00002012

This book tells the story of a 10-year-old boy named Little Willy who lives with his grandfather in Wyoming. All of a sudden, Grandfather fell very ill and isn’t able to continue running the farm. The farm is on the verge of getting taken away from them, but Little Willy is determined to save it before it’s too late. But how?

Stone Fox is about a boy named Little Willy who will do anything to protect his grandfather and protect their farm. With the help of his dog Searchlight, Little Willy tries to fix whatever is making his grandfather sick. Little Willy's plan ends up entering a dog sled race against the legend Stone Fox, who has never lost a race. Read to find out about who ends up winning!

Stone Fox is about a loyal dog that helps a young boy named Willy out in a desperate time of need. After WIlly's grandfather becomes ill after finding out that he is has no money and will no longer be allowed to live on the farm. Willy decides to begin training for a race that will help them save the farm. This race is a daring feat against a man who has never lost. After much training and hard work this dog proves to be a true companion till the end.

Stone Fox was a touching story for young readers based on a Rocky Mountain legend. I loved Little Willie's determination to win the ten mile sled race, with the help of his beloved dog, Searchlight, and save his grandfather's farm. Even though I suspected how the book would end, I was desperately hoping I would be wrong. It was still a shock when it happened, and so sad. However, I appreciated the way the big Indian, Stone Fox, stepped in and did what he did. A sweet, heart-wrenching read.½

What a tear jerker! Stone Fox is about a little boy, Willy, who discovers his grandpa won't get out of bed one day. After calling on the town doctor, he learns his grandpa is healthy, but has lost his will to live. Willy quickly finds out that they have no money and attributes that to his grandpas behavior. He is determined to earn run their farm and earn enough money to get them out of debt. The farm does not bring in as much money as Willy had hoped, so he then decides to enter into the big dog sled race where he has the chance to win $500. His competitor, Stone Fox, has never lost a race and is also in need of that $500. The day of the race comes and Willy is very nervous. After all, its just him and his one dog, Searchlight. Searchlight has never let him down, though. Will they win the race, save the farm, and restore his grandpa's spirits?

This is a fantastic read full of life lessons... loyalty, hard work ethic, bravery, conflict and resolution.

This would be ideal to use in a 3rd grade classroom

I read this because my son's 3rd grade class just finished it. Sweet story and nice lessons about life.

Evocative black and white illustrations enhance a simply told story, recreating a simpler world of the past, where small boys could try to save the family farm and neighbors would do all they could to help. Willy’s grandfather has always cared for him. But now it’s Willy’s turn and he’ll do anything he can to bring his grandfather's mind back from the brink. But powerful banks conspire against him, and there’s only way Willy can raise the necessary money. Unfortunately someone else needs that money too. So how will need and luck play out?

The story pulls the reader in right from the start. Willy’s kindness shines through. And Willy’s dog is truly delightful. But things weren’t always easy even in simpler times, and good people didn’t always win. The end of the race stays in doubt until the final pages as words fly by.

Tragic, beautiful and kind, Stone Fox is a story to linger in the mind of young readers, inspiring questions, thought and hope.

Disclosure: A good friend knew I’d love it and she was right.

This book can be used to for second to sixth graders as a read aloud book or independent read. It can be a read aloud book because there is a captivating plot and the events should be discussed as a class. This book can be used to discuss theme and characters. The characters have deep emotions and the book can get emotional. This book can be an independent read for third and fourth graders, while it is emotional, it is presented in a way for these students to process. The plot is captivating and keeps the interest of the reader through the actions of the characters.

This book could be used as a class book or an independent book in grades 4 and 5 because it is a shorter chapter book, but still too long for younger grades. The students could use it during a social studies lesson about other regions and sports that they have there because this book is about bobsledding.

Summary: Little Willy hopes to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a dog sled race he enters. Against all odds, Willy manages to win the race against the previously unbeaten Indian "Stone Fox" and his team of five Samoyeds.

Personal reaction: This is a fun, simple, and easy to read novel; especially for children. With basic elements of drama, competition, and teamwork, this book is a great introduction to complete literature for children as they enter the first grade (potentially earlier).

Classroom extension: This would be a great opportunity for young children to hold an open dialogue about Willy's adventures, and perhaps act as a means for children to act out the story in a play.

A lot of tears after this one.

Of course I read this when I was in teacher-training, and at least one of my sons read it with his class, but I decided to see if I like it on it's own merits, as a reader with my own interests.  And I do.  Imo, it's just as exciting and moving outside the school setting as it can be inside (with the right teacher, like Horrible Harry's teacher).  Concise - lots of powerful ideas in a very short book.  Definitely not obsolete (though it is historical fiction and a few words & ideas might need to be explained).

Stone fox is a good book. It's about a young boy and his dog. one day his grandfather doesn't really wake up so the doctor comes and she tells the boys at the grandfather is in the depression. The boy thinks that the reason for this is because the grandfather thought that it would be a bad year for growing crops, so the boy grows the crops himself, and he does it very well. But it doesn't heal his grandfather. the tax man comes and the boy figures out that the grandfather hasn't been taxes. So the boy a dog race with his dog. A Indian man named Stone fox always wins the race. the race will give the boy $500 if he wins, then he can pay the taxes and then he won't have to sell his farm. The boy one but a cost, his dog died, she was very old but very fast. I like this book because it showed a friendship between a dog and a boy. I hope a lot of people like this book because it makes you really think about that sort of stuff.

Well! The sudden ending certainly got me verklempt! It seemed emotionally manipulative and the portrayal of Stone Fox the Indian is a bit touchy in this day and age. But Little Willy's Disneyesque earnestness and the compelling story action actually make it work, even though part of me feels like it shouldn't. Go figure!

This book is great for emerging readers (2nd-3rd grade) who are starting on chapter books. Little Willy enters in a dog sleding race to win a 500 dollar reward for his grandfather, who owes the state money. Willy is racing against Stone Fox among others. Stone Fox is a native american who has never lost and doesn't talk to white people. Willy's dog and best pal, Searchlight, gives a tremendous effort in the race... The ending is awesome so I won't give it away!

When ten-year-old Willy finds out that his grandfather could lose his farm, he decides to raise the money by entering a sledge race with his dog. Willy would be in a race with some of the toughest competitors around. However, Willy knew he had to try to save his grandfather’s life and will to live as well as the farm

I really enjoyed this story for a few reasons. The first reason was that the story was well written and could easily be read by a third or fourth grader without much assistance. Also I liked that the story had a lot of twists and turns, but I was still able to keep up with everything when I read this when I was nine years old. Lastly I liked that the story taught the reader a lesson that was useful in everyday life. I am not going to tell you what the lesson is because you have to read the book yourself to find out. That is what I enjoyed about Stone Fox.