Stone Fox

By John Reynolds Gardiner

Grades 4-5; Genre - Fiction; GRL P; AR pts: 1.0

Grandfather is sick and ten year old Little Willie is left to care for the farm and find a way to pay the taxes.  His only hope to keep the farm is to win a dog sled race, but the legendary dog sled racer, Stone Fox, has also entered the race. 

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. What is the setting of this story? 1800's; Jackson, Wyoming; harsh winter; small potato farm and the surrounding area p.1
2. Why is Little Willie concerned in this chapter?  Grandfather gave up living and wouldn’t get out of bed  p. 5

Chapter 2

1. Describe Little Willie? 10 years old; lives with his grandpa; speaks with his grandpa using hand signals; they have a farm and grow potatoes; he has a dog named Searchlight  p. 11
2. How was Searchlight a good and helpful dog?  She helped harvest the potatoes when Grandfather fell ill  p. 19

Chapter 3

1. What do little Willie and Searchlight do every evening when the clock BONGS at six o’clock?  Race home using the dog sled   p. 26
2. Why wasn’t little Willie scared to race like this at night?  Searchlight had done it so many times, she knew how to get them home safe   p.  28

Chapter 4

1. Why did Clifford Snyder have a gun?  He came to collect the taxes on the farm and used the gun to threaten Little Willie and Grandfather   p. 34
2. How would you feel if someone brought a gun to your home? Listen to your child's answer
3. What will happen if Grandfather doesn’t pay the taxes?  Snyder will take the farm and sell it  p.37

Chapter 5

1. What is making Grandfather sick?  He is stressed because he owes $500 in taxes    p. 40
2. How was Little Willie proactive in this chapter?  He went to the bank   p. 40
3. Give two examples of how Little Willie felt alone in this chapter. He had to make a decision on whether to sell the farm or not; He went to the bank by himself. Grandfather should have been the one taking care of these things p.40
4. Do you agree that Little Willie should enter the dog sled race? Why, or why not? Listen to your child's answer p. 46

Chapter 6

1. Why is it a sacrifice for Little Willie to use his college money pay for the race?  He is giving up on going to college and getting an education p. 49
2. Describe Stone Fox.  Giant, Indian, never talks, his face as hard as stone    p. 51
3. What characteristic describes Stone Fox after you read page 54?  charitable; good heart  p. 54

Chapter 7

1. What was in the old deserted barn?  Stone Fox’s five white dogs   p. 60
2. Why did Stone Fox hit Little Willie in the barn?  Little Willie was going to pet his dogs  p. 60
3. Why wasn’t Little Willie able to sleep the night before the race?  His eye was killing him from Stone Fox hitting him p. 62

Chapter 8

1. Why didn’t Little Willie like to hunt?  He loves animals too much  p. 65
2. Have you ever gone hunting? Describe your experience if you have
3. Compare Little Willie and Stone Fox. What do they have in common? they both have dogs and want to enter the dog sled race; they both have meaningful reasons to enter the race, Stone Fox to help his tribe and Little Willie to help he and Grandpa
4. Why didn't Little Willie tell the townspeople about how he got hurt?  He didn't want to tell on Stone Fox; Listen to your child's answer p. 68

Chapter 9

1. Who was winning the race at the beginning?  Little Willie   p. 71
2. When Little Willie passed Grandfather’s farm, who did he see looking out the window?  Grandfather  p. 74
3. Why was Stone Fox able to creep up on Little Willie?  Little Willie was thinking about Grandfather   p. 76

Chapter 10

1. How did Searchlight sacrifice everything she had? She died; Her heart burst/she gave it everything she had   p. 79
2. Why did Stone Fox draw in the snow? to create a new finish line, so Little Willie could win   p. 83
3. Why did Stone Fox let Little Willie win?   Stone Fox respected Little Willie and had compassion on him; to help Little Willie and Grandfather  p. 83
4. What is a theme in this story? Love and Sacrifice; Overcoming obstacles; Perseverance & Determination; Loyalty
5. What did you like about this story? Listen to your child's answer