From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Two delightful short books by John Reynolds Gardiner have been paired up in this audio set. Stone Fox (HarperCollins, 1980) tells the story of a boy determined to win a dog sled race to save his grandfather's farm. No one has ever beaten Stone Fox, an imposing and silent Native American, but little Willy trains daily for the race with his beloved dog, Searchlight. It seems like Willy might even win the race until heartbreaking tragedy strikes. Top Secret (Little, 1984) also features a determined boy and his grandfather, but in a much different setting and story. Allen Brewster has a fantastic idea that might even win the silver trophy at the science fair human photosynthesis. He has several obstacles to overcome. Allen persists in his mission using the scientific method and finally comes up with a concoction that turns him into a human plant. He turns green, craves sunlight and water instead of food, and sprouts baby roots if he stands in mud too long. Everything changes when Allen is deemed a threat to national security and his project is suddenly top secret. Both books are about 20 years old, so the characters do not represent very diverse backgrounds, but the messages of loyalty and determination are timeless. Tony Award winner B. D. Wong narrates the characters to fit the emotion and suspense of each story. The fact that one sentence was left out of the narration of Stone Fox and a few words were dropped from Top Secret might deter purchase of this audiobook for a read-along program. Each story could be listened to for pleasure or as a springboard for classroom discussion.Teresa Wittmann, St. Anthony School, Renton, WACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From AudioFile
Reading STONE FOX is a treasured rite of passage for school-age students. Few forget the dogsled race in which Willy faces Stone Fox in a chilling testimony of determination and love. Few students, however, have a similar knowledge of Gardiner's TOP SECRET, a poke-fun look at the school science fair scene that also champions individual creativity and fortitude. To B.D. Wong's credit, he narrates each of Gardiner's stories in a unique manner. For STONE FOX, Wong narrates with quiet reverence, respecting the power of the story and the bond among boy and dog and grandfather without imposing himself into the relationships. For TOP SECRET, Wong playfully creates personas for Allen Brewster, his archetypal science teacher, his nemesis, and each supporting character. A.R. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Stone Fox ANNOTATION
Little Willie hopes to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a dog sled race he enters.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Little Willy's Grandfather is sick, and it's up to Willy to save their farm from tax collectors. Their only hope is the prize money from the National Dogsled Race. But a lot of other people want to win the race, too, including Stone Fox, who has never lost a race in his life. Do Willy and his dog Searchlight stand a chance against the toughest racers around? Can they win the race to save the farm-and Grandfather-before it's too late?
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