Stone Fox
by John Reynolds Gardiner
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Book Summary Information
Author: John Reynolds GardinerBrand: Harper Collins Publishers
Illustrator: Greg Hargreaves
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1992-05-22
ISBN: 0064401324
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: HarperCollins
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780064401326
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Stone Fox
Book Review: The Traditional Hero versus The Modern Hero
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Summary of Stone Fox
A Race Against Time
Little Willy's grandfather is sick, and it's up to Willy to save their farm from tax collectors. Their only hope is the prize money from the National Dogsled Race. But a lot of other people want to win the race, too, including Stone Fox, who has never lost a race in his life.
Do Willy and his dog Searchlight stand a chance against the toughest racers around? Can they win the race to save the farm -- and Grandfather -- before it's too late?
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