SHADOW FOX
by Carlie Sorosiak
Nosy Crow
Middle Grade Animal Fantasy
272 pages
ages 8 to 12
Bee’s family runs a lakeside inn, offering rest and sustenance to weary travelers. Bee’s Nan has gone missing, possibly drowned, but Bee knows that can’t be true. And so does the hungry fox that her grandmother was feeding. Shadow is cross that her supply of salmon has dried up and is determined to do something about it. Soon both fox and child are on an adventure to find Nan, uncover what’s happening to all the secret islands on the Great Lake and learn just how far magical powers can take you…
A beautiful story of loss and belonging, all told through the eyes of a wild, affectionate, prickly fox who has a love of collecting shoes and not a small amount of magic. From the bestselling author of I, Cosmo.
A beautiful story of loss and belonging, all told through the eyes of a wild, affectionate, prickly fox who has a love of collecting shoes and not a small amount of magic. From the bestselling author of I, Cosmo.
MY TIDBITS
A fox's adventure comes to life and digs deep in a tale full of magic, hope, and the wonder of friendship.
The fox is hungry, but the human, who often gives it a fish, hasn't appeared for several days. Instead, a girl, her granddaughter, has taken her place. The fox is anything but a fan of humans but can't deny the odd connection it shares with this girl. It even seems to experience her dreams. But then, the two share more than the fox first believes and soon join together on a search to find the missing woman. Their journey will take them beyond what they first can see as the magic of the lake and area unfold.
The author does a wonderful job at bringing the fox to life by allowing it to tell the tale from its point of view. The thoughts are clear and understandable, while holding just the right amount of clever personality to let sympathy grab hold. It's fear of humans gains depth as more about the fox's past comes to light, and that while Bee, the young girl, accompanies the fox and gains its trust little by little through her calmer, more open personality. It's a beautiful balance and allows their special friendship to blossom and bloom. All along there's enough secrets, magic, tension, and even a bit of humor to make the scenes grab and the plot flow.
There are messages surrounding loss, friendship, loyalty, and the respect for nature. This last one breathes through most of the story and mixes with the magic to form an enchanting atmosphere. The entire read holds an almost lyrical feel, which will connect better with some readers than others. Animal tale fans are sure to find themselves drawn into the magical mix and will find much to enjoy.
And here she is...
Carlie Sorosiak lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and her American Dingo, Dany. A bestselling children’s author, her fiction titles include Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month, I, Cosmo, as well as My Life as a Cat, Always, Clementine and Shadow Fox. She has a master’s in English from Oxford University and another in publishing from City, University of London, and she currently volunteers at a cat shelter (just don’t tell Dany!). She is the author of A World of Dogs and its follow-up A World of Cats.
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