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    Stone Fox and Top Secret
    Stone Fox and Top Secret
    Stone Fox and Top Secret
    Audiobook2 hours

    Stone Fox and Top Secret

    Written by John Reynolds Gardiner

    Narrated by B. D. Wong

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    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. He enters the National Dogsled Race, where he must beat the Indian Stone Fox and his five beautiful Samoyed dogs.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateAug 1, 2006
    ISBN9780061229190
    Stone Fox and Top Secret
    Author

    John Reynolds Gardiner

    John Reynolds Gardiner (1944–2006), who described himself as an “author, engineer, inventor, rock-and-roll singer, door-to-door salesman, songwriter, and Santa Claus,” traveled widely throughout his life. Born in California, he lived in Ireland, Germany, Italy, El Salvador, England, and Mexico. He heard the legend that inspired Stone Fox while in Idaho and it became his first published work. His other works include How to Live a Life That’s Not Boring.

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    Reviews for Stone Fox and Top Secret

    4/5

    22 ratings21 reviews

    What did you think?

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    • 4/5
      Little Willy can't figure out why his grandfather won't get out of bed until the doctor tells him that his grandfather has simply lost his will to live. Little Willy soon finds out the reason why is they are at risk of losing their farm to tax collectors but he has a plan to win a dog sled race with his dog Searchlight that would award enough money to save the farm. This is a relatively simple tale with a major twist that will leave readers shocked. The repetition, short sentences,occasional illustrations and relatively simple language mean this is a great first chapter book for early readers aged 7-9.
    • 3/5
      I found the character of Grandfather to be positively contemptible. The book was poorly named and the prize for the race seemed a bit too "deus ex machina" for my taste.Other than that, Little Willy and Searchlight were adorable. It is a very simple, quick read that I found perfect for my special education children.
    • 5/5
      A boy tries to save his grandfather's farm.
    • 2/5
      So I was like 10 pages from the end when my daughter comes home from school and sees me reading. She says, "Oh, that's a sad book." Thanks a bunch!She was right. It was sad.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      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.
    • 5/5
      Awesome. Tragic.
    • 3/5
      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!
    • 5/5
      So much is packed into this story...how a child deals with an adult who checks out of the world; how pride keeps us from asking others for help; how determination can take us so far but often it comes down to needing someone else's help to finish our task. There is also a lesson on potato farming and dog sledding. In the midst of all of this is a touching story that brought tears to my eyes.
    • 4/5
      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).
    • 3/5
      Yikes. Such a good book yet so depressing. AND the ending. UGH ! It didn't hold my 9 years olds attention but I enjoyed it. The subject was a little heavy and sad and of course, left me in tears :(
    • 5/5
      Ten year old Willy is a determined young man who is bound to help is Grandfather find the will to live and save is potato farm, by racing in a dogsled race agains Stone Fox, an Indian who has never lost a race. The book brings to life the relationship that forms between a young boy and his dog, and his determination to never give up even in the face of great odds. It is a beautful book to use with a group of students betwee 3-5 grade. I highly recommend it to teachers and to families to enjoy together.
    • 1/5
      "Stone Fox" is the story of a boy and his dog who work together to save his farm. After years of not paying taxes, Grandfather is in trouble of losing his farm. He all but gives up on life, no longer getting out of bed or eating much. When little Willy learns of the need to raise $500 to pay the taxes, he decides to enter himself and his ten-year-old dog in a sled race. So intent on saving his grandfather and his farm, not even the thought of racing against the legendary Stone Fox can deter little Willy from racing. His undying belief in his dog, Searchlight, convinces him he will win. But can he defeat the Stone Fox and his team of Samoyed sled dogs?I did not like this book at all. I know that's not a popular take, but it's true. The writing was simplistic and lacked detail. The characters were underdeveloped which caused me not to take any interest in them at all, particularly Grandfather. Furthermore, I'm not generally a fan of animal books, especially when the animal dies. However, as an animal book, the story accomplished its mission of showing the devotion of a pet towards its owner. Searchlight's heart bursts as she desperately tries to get little Willy and the sled over the finish line to finish the race. It also shows the devotion of people towards animals, both in the way little Willy loved Searchlight and in the way Stone Fox made sure little Willy was able to take Searchlight across the finish line. Appropriate for 3rd grade and up.
    • 5/5
      This book is about a young boy whose only family is his elderly grandfather. They live on a potato farm and they heavily rely on the harvest to make ends meet. One day the grandfather gets very ill and is no longer able to communicate. Willy is forced to become the man of the house and try to save his grandfathers farm. With the towns support, the love of his grandfather and the help of a very special dog, Searchlight, Willie will enter the race of a lifetime.
    • 4/5
      Where there is a will there is a way...so the saying goes and this is the main thread running through this tale of love and devotion between family (even when the child must pay for the mistake of the adult) and between dogs and their owners. Classroom Use: Discuss taxes and too bring it down to a child's perspective use pennies and have students purchase squares of the classroom as their land but make them pay taxes.
    • 5/5
      This was one of the first chapter books I have ever read. 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 now, the ending surprised me and moved me. It was exciting, and it made me think.
    • 5/5
      When grandfather has an apparent stroke, 10 year old Little Willie finds himself the sole caretaker of both Grandfather and the farm. In danger of losing the homestead and against all advice, Willie and his pet, Searchlight, enter the dogsled race in order to win the prize money and pay off the taxes on the farm. He is up against Stone Fox, the mysterious Native American who has never lost a race. Stone Fox needs the money to buy back land stolen from his people. Well written and fast paced, this book pulls you in and keeps you interested through the exciting race and its surprising ending--which Gardiner says was presented as a true story. A winner!
    • 5/5
      Tickets ride Have you ever been adopted? Gary Paulsen is all about wilderness. Lottie and Billy were heading west in search of Francis parents but on the way there. They saw a died mule and some Mexican. My favorite character is Francis because he is brave he has a shot gun and he rides horses. It was hot in organ. I recommend this book to people who had to search for their parents. this is one of my favorite books. .
    • 4/5
      A classic tale about a boy names Little Willy who enters into a dog sled race with his long time dog and friend, Searchlight in order to win $500 to pay the back taxes on his grandfathers farm (who refuses to get out of bed). The book ends with Searchlight dying during the last leg of the race and Willy carrying him across the finish line as Stone Fox (their biggest competition) stops the other racers from crossing a line in the snow.
    • 5/5
      *warning! spoilers!*Okay, I admit it, this was a good book. I didn't expect it to be... It does have some qualities that are common with all the other dogsled-race books out there, and I didn't think it would be much different. But it was so wonderful. And of course I cried at the end. The wonderful dog gave it all she had, and died before reaching the finish line... And my heart sank, it was over. But Stone Fox knew Willy deserved that win, and he made it happen. It was so awesome!
    • 5/5
      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.