Scary Stories for Young Foxes

Scary Stories for Young Foxes
Christian McKay Heidicker
Holt/Macmillian, 2019 314 pagesGrades 4-7
Horror/Suspense

Seven fox kits venture out of their home one fateful evening to visit the old storyteller in Bog Cavern. They are bored and in need of creepy entertainment. The old storyteller obliges and what follows is two stories within the overall story that eventually come together and link up with the umbrella tale by the book's end. The first story the teller shares features Mia, who's brothers and sisters are attacked by their beloved teacher-who is somehow altered in a disturbing way. Mia escapes, finds her mother, and the two run away together, only to encounter the most dangerous enemy of all: humans. The second tale features Uly, a male kit with a lame leg, who is constantly tortured by his sisters. After the evil Mr. Scratch appears, Uly must flee for his life. How can a young fox survive in the woods with only three legs and no way to hunt for food, especially with the dreaded Mr. Scratch not far behind?

A 2020 Newbery honor winner, this spooky title, by a debut middle grade author, is worth a look. The book's design is interesting. The umbrella story is white type on black paper, keeping readers straight as to the timeline. Dark and sinister illustrations, contributed by Junyi Wu, add to the overall mood and atmosphere. I love books where different storylines come together, and this book offers a huge payout at the end. The little listening foxes are not privy to the true ending, yet the reader is, allowing both an unsettling realistic ending, yet happy and satisfying at the same time. Kids who love scary tales will enjoy this book. It has the feel of an old-fashioned ghost story once told in front of a fire and has truly frightening and violent bits. Since the scary stuff happens to foxes and not humans, kids can allow themselves to be scared without lasting nightmares. The heroes of all of the tales face their fears and find inner courage and strength that they didn't know possessed. Readers will root for the main characters and grow and mature right along beside them. A great selection for readers who are not afraid of the dark.