Little Willy's Grandfather is sick, so it's up to him to save the family farm from tax collectors. Willy's plan is to win the National Dogsled Race and claim the $500 prize. But first he'll have to beat Stone Fox, who's never lost a race in his life.

Stone Fox was read by David Townsend
Camel's Hump Radio fans may remember David as our reader for A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. He's also been heard on "Vermont Fiction Live-2000." He's appeared in a number of New York-based productions, including Hamlet-a-thon, The Tempest, As You Like It, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Three Sisters and The Architecture of Loss. Currently, David is going into production on a new adaptation of The Odyssey by Homer. He trained at The Juilliard School's Drama Division and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

What do you think?

Why did Willy's grandfather give up? Was Grandfather's reaction wise?

If you needed to raise $500 like Willy, how would you do it?

Why do you think the winner of the race won it? (Sorry, can't give away the ending!)

What qualities do you think Stone Fox has, and is he admired for them? What has he accomplished?

What did you think of Willy's plan to use his college money to pay the entrance fee for the dogsled race? Why do you feel that way? How did the adults in the book feel about his decision?

How do you think Willy feels at the end of the race? How does Stone Fox feel?

What did you predict would happen at the end of the book?

Will Willy's grandfather get better? Why?

Do you think Stone Fox will continue to race?

Describe what you think life will be like for Grandfather and Willy ten years from now.

Author John Reynolds Gardiner indicated Grandfather and Willy had a very close relationship, along with good friendships with other adults in town. Give examples of how Gardiner shared the nature of these relationships.

The day of the race was a big day for Willy. Describe the biggest day in your life.

What do you think is the message the author wants you to take away from this book? Do you think there's another important message to consider as well?

Stone Fox author John Reynolds Gardiner once sold plastic neckties filled with water and goldfish! He also holds a master's degree in engineering, and he used to write on his lunch hour when he worked as an engineer. Learn more about him.

The National Dogsled Race was exciting, but it is the Iditarod that is considered the grand-daddy of all sled dog races. Follow this link to hear from Zuma, the Iditarod's K-9 reporter. Want to race yourself? Check out these tips on how to run the Iditarod. But first, you may want to learn how to build your own dog sled.

Stone Fox's racing dogs were Samoyeds. They are very intelligent, loyal, gentle dogs, full of action. Learn more about them.

Stone Fox was a Shoshone Indian, and the story is based on an old Shoshone legend. You can learn about Shoshone history, explore these additional links, and check out a library full of other Indian legends.

Check out this website, created by a class studying Stone Fox.

Little Willy and Grandfather live in Wyoming. Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1869, and it is home to a number of natural wonders. Check out these photos of Wyoming, and then take a virtual trip.

Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, says if you liked Stone Fox, you’ll probably enjoy these books as well:

Hesse, Karen. Sable. Holt, 1994.
Tate Marshall is delighted when a stray dog turns up in the yard one day, but Sable, named for her dark, silky fur, causes trouble with the neighbors and has to go.

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Shiloh. Atheneum, 1991.
When he finds a lost beagle in the hills behind his West Virginia home, Marty tries to hide it from his family and the dog's real owner, a mean-spirited man known to shoot deer out of season and to mistreat his dogs.

O'Dell, Scott. Black Star, Bright Dawn. Houghton, 1988.
Bright Dawn must face the challenge of the Iditarod dog sled race alone when her father is injured.

Paulsen, Gary. Woodsong. Bradbury, 1990.
For a rugged outdoor man and his family, life in northern Minnesota is a wild experience involving wolves, deer, and the sled dogs that make their way of life possible. Includes an account of the author's first Iditarod, a dogsled race across Alaska.