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A review by librarydosebykristy
A Game of Fox & Squirrels by Jenn Reese
4.0
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to deal with abuse and trauma in kid’s books. A lot of recently published books have been really explicit about the bad things that can happen in a kids life, and, as a professional book person, I’m still tying decide how I feel about that and what age I’m comfortable giving certain books to kids.
That said, this book does a marvelous, heartbreaking job of centering trauma and abuse in a way that kids will
Immediately relate to. Eleven year old Sam and her older sister have just been sent from LA to live with their aunt and her wife in Oregon. Although we aren’t given specifics, we know that something happened with their parents, specifically their Dad, who clearly hurt Sam’s older sister.
Shortly after they arrive, wary and uncertain of their aunt they barely know, Sam gets “A Game of Fox and Squirrels” from her aunt as a gift. It’s a strategic board game involving a crafty, manipulative fox who players (squirrels) must outsmart to win. That night, a real fox shows up at Sam’s window and makes a deal with her, promising to get her back home in LA with her parents if she passes three “tests” for him.
What follows is a beautiful, emotional metaphor of a kid trying to come to terms with her reality. Adults and some discerning kids, will read this and piece together exactly the kind of situation Sam has escaped from, while many kids could read this as a straight up fantasy adventure, good vs. evil story.
I loved the way Jenn Reese chose to tell this story. It felt wonderfully kid appropriate, while not shying away from true danger. A great read for kids and adults alike.
Grade 3 and up. Perfect for fans of The War that Saved my Life.
That said, this book does a marvelous, heartbreaking job of centering trauma and abuse in a way that kids will
Immediately relate to. Eleven year old Sam and her older sister have just been sent from LA to live with their aunt and her wife in Oregon. Although we aren’t given specifics, we know that something happened with their parents, specifically their Dad, who clearly hurt Sam’s older sister.
Shortly after they arrive, wary and uncertain of their aunt they barely know, Sam gets “A Game of Fox and Squirrels” from her aunt as a gift. It’s a strategic board game involving a crafty, manipulative fox who players (squirrels) must outsmart to win. That night, a real fox shows up at Sam’s window and makes a deal with her, promising to get her back home in LA with her parents if she passes three “tests” for him.
What follows is a beautiful, emotional metaphor of a kid trying to come to terms with her reality. Adults and some discerning kids, will read this and piece together exactly the kind of situation Sam has escaped from, while many kids could read this as a straight up fantasy adventure, good vs. evil story.
I loved the way Jenn Reese chose to tell this story. It felt wonderfully kid appropriate, while not shying away from true danger. A great read for kids and adults alike.
Grade 3 and up. Perfect for fans of The War that Saved my Life.