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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
TW: ableism, internalised ableism, blood, gore
This is certenly a great example of horror/thriller for children done extreamly well. It never plays down or coddles, but it knows when to slow down. The way the stories tie together is *chefs kiss*.
This is certenly a great example of horror/thriller for children done extreamly well. It never plays down or coddles, but it knows when to slow down. The way the stories tie together is *chefs kiss*.
Although this certainly wasn’t what I expected, it was scary and a bit sad. Told from the perspective of a fox, it was an interesting way to create a horror story. I would share more but then it would be a spoiler. Grades 3/4 and up.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: "Scary Stories for Young Foxes" is an exploration of the wild, natural world through the eyes of some adventurous fox kits. The premise follows a litter of baby foxes who seek out a spooky storyteller living deep in the woods. As the storyteller regales them with a series of scary stories, the kits test their bravery. With rich imagery weaving multiple narratives together, Heidicker creates an adventure full of dark whimsy, life lessons, and poignant explorations of love, loss, and grief. Although the book contains discussions of difficult themes, they are presented and written in a way that is palatable both to the intended middle-grade audience and to older readers. Exploring mature themes (death, abuse, sacrifice, disability, etc.) through the eyes of the animal world presents a unique perspective that I think makes a great introduction to these topics for this age group. Middle grade can be tricky to define in literature, as it is meant to appeal to kids/preteens who may not be ready for YA themes but have outgrown childish books. I think that by addressing these topics while maintaining a level of separation and whimsy with the animal perspective, Heidicker executed the blend of horror, hope, and overarching lessons very well. His writing style and use of rich, descriptive imagery makes the book even more enjoyable. I loved that the horror elements were less outright jump scares or gore but instead centered on the buildup and character's reactions/feelings. To me, the world of the foxes is reminiscent of the tv show "Over the Garden Wall" — spooky atmosphere, shrouded mysteries that slowly unravel, characters that are not always as they seem, disguised dangers, and blurred lines between magic and reality. There are also small threads that gradually connected the individual scary tales and wove a rich, cohesive narrative together throughout the book. All in all, this book has beautiful writing, characters you root for and want to succeed, and lovely sentiments hidden amidst the horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is a perfect creepy fall read, with scary bits that are deeply unsettling, a great framing device, and plenty of actual fox facts. Highly recommend for readers looking for something scary and gory that's kind of National Geographic scary rather than Slasher Horror Flick scary, with plenty of dread and twisty thriller moments too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
There should be a trigger warning for the domestic abuse that occurs in this book. I really don’t think this book is for kids to read.