Stone Fox: A Children's Chapter Book Review...

Reviewr's Note: This book was given to me to read by my grandson's 3rd grade teacher. I agreed to read and write a short review, then share the review with her class as part of their ongoing writing lessons. I am currently finishing my own children's chapter book and have been reading chapters to the class as I finish them. I'm about done and want to ask the children to write a reivew on my book. Just reading to the class has been helpful to the writing process and they have provided good insight into what rocks a 3rd-grader's boat. Wanted to share this book review with you all as it's well worth reading, not only for yourself but to/with your children. It's targeted for 9-10 year olds.

--Douglas Quinn

Stone Fox

by John Reynolds Gardiner

Children's Chapter book

Scholastic, Inc., 1999

Trade Paperback, 81 pages

ISBN 0-439-09510-7

*****

An Exciting but Sad Tale of Love and Courage
Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal (www.douglasquinn.com)

When Little Willie discovers that his grandfather's illness is because the taxes on the farm haven't been paid, Little Willie and his faithful dog Searchlight enter a dog sled race to win the prize money and save the farm.

In the race they are up against Stone Fox, an Indian who has never lost a race. Will Little Willie and Searchlight win the race and save the farm?

The ending may surprise and sadden you. Sometimes the price you have to pay for what you want is more than you bargained for.

Stone Fox is an exciting but sad tale of love and courage.

Comments: 10

Arlene H. Apr 6, 2009, 6:31pm EDT

Hi, I have to say my first reaction to this review was where's the rest of it? I see other book reviews you've written are somewhat longer & this one reads like it was written for a 3rd grader by a 3rd grader (nothing against 3rd graders).

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Arlene H. Apr 6, 2009, 6:33pm EDT

Don't mean to be harsh, really, just need more details about the book, characters, writing, illustrations... Best of luck with your own book.

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Douglas Quinn Apr 6, 2009, 6:52pm EDT

For Arlene: If you read the preamble to the review, you would see that in fact it was written for a 3rd grader. As I mentioned, I'm using the review as part of a lesson for my grandson's class, showing them how to write a review. In fact, a regional newspaper here publishes (every Sunday) book reviews of children's books written by children. Hope that answers your questions.

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Beverly M. Apr 6, 2009, 8:39pm EDT

Nice review. It should interest young readers.

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Arlene H. Apr 6, 2009, 8:50pm EDT

I did read your preamble. Still think it should have more depth.

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Douglas Quinn Apr 6, 2009, 8:57pm EDT

Again, not to be contrary or argumentative, but it's written for a audience of 8-10 year olds. I took my cue from reviews written by 8-10 year olds that were published in the Virginian-Pilot. I only posted here to let the Gather audience know what I was doing re this 3rd grade class, not really to excite into reading the book, although it certainly is worth reading for that grade level. The review at this level audience is to entice the target age group audience into reading it. Tease them, so to speak.

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Brenda W. Apr 7, 2009, 9:32am EDT

Nice review, Doug.

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Renda B~surviving the storm by dancing in the rain. Apr 8, 2009, 6:15pm EDT

Thanks for the review. I'll have to check this one out for some of my nieces/nephews.

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Diana Raabe Apr 11, 2009, 11:25am EDT

Sounds like a good read for kids, but your project is the real interesting thing here. Will you be posting any of the reviews done by the 3rd graders on your book?

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Douglas Quinn Apr 11, 2009, 12:32pm EDT

To Diana and others: Yes, I will be posting reviews of my book by my grandson's 3rd class here at Gather. In fact, I'm finishing up the final couple of chapters this weekend. I won't, however, be reading/presenting the final chapters to the class until May 29th, as once Spring Break is over, they will be going into the preparation and taking of their end-of-grade tests. So will probably post again on this subject in June. The book, by the way is titled: Quinn Higgins: Boy Detective -- The Case of the Missing Homework. Thanks for your interest.

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Stone Fox: A Children's Chapter Book Review by Douglas Quinn

Comments: 10

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