Stone Fox
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 8+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Willy is a ten-year-old boy who lives on a potato farm with his sick grandfather and his dog, Searchlight. They owe money for taxes, so Willy enters a big dog sled race to win $500. His main rival is Stone Fox, who has never lost. It is a moving story of a boy's courage, but it ends in a sad scene that may upset young children. Talk about what is worth dying for. Age 8, set by Lumen's read-alone age; no Common Sense Media book review was found.
For parents
Age 8, set by Lumen's read-alone age. Plugged In says 7 to 11; no Common Sense Media age was found. Read it aloud from 6, and be ready for tears: Searchlight dies in the race. Talk about the grandfather's saying that some things are worth dying for. Point out that a dog is dear but not worth more than a person. Note that Stone Fox is shown through an old-fashioned lens.