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ritalotabooks's review against another edition
3.0
A deeply moving story of love tragedy and loss that is beautifully written. The intense emotional subject matter and the very relatable way in which it is written I think could be a bit much for young readers. Like Pax, I feel this is a story written more for adults but written with children and animals as main characters. I can't see myself recommending this book to children. If you are an adult or teen that loves a good cry and books about death, then this is the book for you.
jiden's review against another edition
3.0
Okay. Spoilers abound below. Except I don't think they're spoilers because they are pretty readily intuited from the Goodreads summary. Regardless, steer clear of this review if you will be shocked to find that a fox is somehow relevant to the main human characters of this story.
Okay okay. Sylvie and Jules are sisters, Sylvie slightly older and so slightly more attached the the mother they lost years before. Sylvia is also a runner, always wanting to go faster. One day Sylvie runs on her own and disappears, assumed dead (I really do mean assumed because it's never fully said in the book). Jules and her dad mourn in realistic and stirring ways.
Then Sylvie becomes a fox who always wants to run faster. So okay okay okay this is really the point of no return for spoilers because Sylvie/fox wants to run faster to save Jules because she wasn't fast enough to save their mom. This is sweet for a hot second before you realize how messed up that is.
Sylvie's life, which is hinted to have always been tied to this fox/running spirit, is sacrificed so she can later save Jules. One sister has to die so the other can be saved? What is it about this family that Death is picking them off one by whimsical one? If Sylvie died for her own reasons and then was reincarnated as this fox, I'd be more charmed. But fate seems to really have it out for this family if Sylvie's drive to save Jules is what kills her/turns her into a fox in the first place. How is killing off one little girl to save another little girl supposed to be charming? THIS IS NOT OKAY. I am not charmed.
Pros of this book:
- the cover
- Sam's family and friendship with Jules's
- some genuinely touching understated moments of mourning
Cons of this book:
- It didn't make me cry. I cry at almost every book, especially those with tight family bonds. And if a book about family protecting each other via nature doesn't make me cry, was it even a book?
Okay okay. Sylvie and Jules are sisters, Sylvie slightly older and so slightly more attached the the mother they lost years before. Sylvia is also a runner, always wanting to go faster. One day Sylvie runs on her own and disappears, assumed dead (I really do mean assumed because it's never fully said in the book). Jules and her dad mourn in realistic and stirring ways.
Then Sylvie becomes a fox who always wants to run faster. So okay okay okay this is really the point of no return for spoilers because Sylvie/fox wants to run faster to save Jules because she wasn't fast enough to save their mom. This is sweet for a hot second before you realize how messed up that is.
Sylvie's life, which is hinted to have always been tied to this fox/running spirit, is sacrificed so she can later save Jules. One sister has to die so the other can be saved? What is it about this family that Death is picking them off one by whimsical one? If Sylvie died for her own reasons and then was reincarnated as this fox, I'd be more charmed. But fate seems to really have it out for this family if Sylvie's drive to save Jules is what kills her/turns her into a fox in the first place. How is killing off one little girl to save another little girl supposed to be charming? THIS IS NOT OKAY. I am not charmed.
Pros of this book:
- the cover
- Sam's family and friendship with Jules's
- some genuinely touching understated moments of mourning
Cons of this book:
- It didn't make me cry. I cry at almost every book, especially those with tight family bonds. And if a book about family protecting each other via nature doesn't make me cry, was it even a book?
mlhahn's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous writing. So many threads woven in a beautiful story.
arabellaredfox's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sad book about dealing with loss but I like the approach it takes. Spirit animals have always been interesting to me and I like how that subject was used in this book.
tori_storydelver's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautifully emotional middle grade about loss and grief. I loved how this approached the idea of loosing a family member in such a realistic way. It doesn't try to talk down to its intended young audience. I loved how it shows grieving as not just being sad but causing anger and confusion and even bringing you closer to the other people around you. I liked the whimsical magic animals aspect, and thought that it was much needed to keep especially younger children interested in the story and not too sad. The relationship between the two sisters was so beautiful and realistic, I loved their traditions of throwing rocks with their wishes into the river, or playing the "Maybe... game". When the "Maybe... Game" was first introduced I admit I cried...and maybe a few other times too. It was really sad, but in such an endearing and captivating way.
thereadingcountess's review against another edition
5.0
Kathi Appelt hits a homerun every time she goes to bat, and MAYBE A FOX is an out-of-the-park run with bases loaded. Genre-bending, poignant, and unexpected, MAYBE A FOX is the story of grief, healing, love that knows no bounds, and magic wishing rocks. It is the story of how maybe a fox saves a family through intercession. I can't wait to booktalk this one tomorrow, and I am sure that it will be the last time I see it before the end of the year.
jonirhea's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe a Fox was, in all honesty, a disappointment. With the book being on our state list, Bluebonnet Nominees, I expected much more from this book. I really don't think many of my students will enjoy reading this depressing book, even be able to understand some of the concepts.
It starts off beautifully written, a story of two sisters who have lost their mom. The sisters are very close, yet very different. I actually had hopes that the book was going to be about these two sisters. Instead, we are met with more tragedy. Don't get me wrong, I'm ok with books that have sadness, and even tragic endings. I just don't see children loving this book, and very few being able to relate to it. I once had a student who had lost her mom and brother in a car accident. She came to me crying, because people kept suggesting books about death. She told me "I read to escape and be happy. I don't want to read more about sadness."
Children will also have trouble relating to the character, Elk, who has just returned from war. While a few will have that empathy, many will not understand his behaviors and how they relate to the war. I also had trouble with the spirit animals. I'm still wondering about the 'green bars' that the fox would see.
It starts off beautifully written, a story of two sisters who have lost their mom. The sisters are very close, yet very different. I actually had hopes that the book was going to be about these two sisters. Instead, we are met with more tragedy. Don't get me wrong, I'm ok with books that have sadness, and even tragic endings. I just don't see children loving this book, and very few being able to relate to it. I once had a student who had lost her mom and brother in a car accident. She came to me crying, because people kept suggesting books about death. She told me "I read to escape and be happy. I don't want to read more about sadness."
Children will also have trouble relating to the character, Elk, who has just returned from war. While a few will have that empathy, many will not understand his behaviors and how they relate to the war. I also had trouble with the spirit animals. I'm still wondering about the 'green bars' that the fox would see.
amandahaas322's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting use of magical realism to tell a touching story of sisters and loss. So good!
Full review here: https://amandasbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/maybe-a-fox/
Full review here: https://amandasbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/07/12/maybe-a-fox/
berlydawn2's review against another edition
4.0
Kathi Appelt. Where do I start? She has this amazing way of bringing magical realism into her stories. Always original. This story will rip your heart out. Get your tissues ready.