Stone Fox

Use these questions or activity to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What are some different reasons families or individuals might experience financial hardships? What might be the effects of financial hardships on health and well-being?

Teaching Suggestion: Little Willy, the novel’s protagonist, is a 10-year-old boy who lives on a potato farm with his grandfather. His grandfather mysteriously falls ill, and Little Willy is forced to tend the farm on his own. Later it is revealed that Little Willy’s grandfather is sick because he has not been able to keep up with the taxes on his farm. Little Willy must develop a strategy to save the farm. With sensitivity for class members in mind, consider discussing financial hardships and the effects of financial hardship on family and health. These teacher-appropriate resources may assist with discussion points and language to broach these topics in your classroom.

• This 9-minute video describes the differences between social classes and financial stability in America.
• This article explains the connection between mental health and financial hardship.

Short Activity

Investigate the topic of dog sled racing using reputable resources. These questions can serve as guides as you look for information.

• What is a dog sled race?
• Where did dog sled racing originate?
• What kind of dogs are used in dog sled racing?
• Why do individuals participate in dog sled races?
• What are some of the more famous dog sled races in the world?
• What is the prize for dog sled races?
• What kind of training is required to participate in a dog sled race?

Teaching Suggestion: Because Little Willy’s grandfather is ill and unable to communicate through more than hand signals, Little Willy develops a strategy to save his grandfather and the farm. He uses his college fund to enter a dog sled race to win the prize money to keep the farm. Consider using the bulleted questions to guide student research. The links below can be used as references or printed for students to read.

• This article describes dog sled racing, where it originated, the dogs used, and the training developed for them.
• This article describes the Iditarod, the most prestigious sled dog race in the world, and the awards offered for the race.
• This mini-guide explains the training that is involved in dog sled racing.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Have you ever had to overcome a difficult challenge or make a big decision in your life without help from your parent or guardian? What kind of feelings did you have? What strategies did you use to overcome your difficult challenge or make your big decision?

Teaching Suggestion: Little Willy’s decision to enter the dogsled race comes at a great cost, as he offers his college fund to participate against Stone Fox, an Indigenous man who has never lost a race. Little Willy is determined to win but receives little help as his grandfather’s illness has left him unable to move or speak. Consider discussing difficult challenges that students may need overcome without parental guidance.