Maybe a Fox

Jules and her sister Sam live in rural Vermont with their father, still processing their mother's death from years ago. While Jules is cautious and reflective, Sam is drawn to danger and speed, particularly in their snowy surroundings near the Whispering Falls. A fox kit is born into this same landscape with an inexplicable connection to the human world. The fox has a sense that she must fulfill some greater purpose, though she doesn't understand what it might be. When tragedy strikes, Jules must navigate both her grief and the mysteries of her surroundings, including ancient beliefs about guardian spirits and the local stories about wish rocks near the falls. The novel explores connections between the natural and human worlds, examining how loss shapes us and how we find meaning in the face of the inexplicable.

Readers note the book's thoughtful handling of grief, sibling relationships, and connections to nature. Many found the parallel storytelling between human and fox perspectives compelling, though some younger readers struggled with the format. Liked: - Strong emotional impact without being overly sentimental - Rich descriptions of Vermont's natural landscape - Effective blend of realism and magical elements - Treatment of complex themes at a middle-grade level Disliked: - Pacing feels slow in the middle sections - Some found the dual narratives confusing - Several mention it may be too mature/sad for sensitive readers - A few felt the ending was abrupt Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (120+ ratings) Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review "Beautiful but heartbreaking," notes one teacher on Goodreads. "Takes an honest look at loss without sugarcoating," writes a parent reviewer on Amazon. Multiple readers mentioned needing tissues while reading.

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🦊 Author Kathi Appelt consulted with wildlife experts and Native American scholars to accurately portray both the natural world and spiritual beliefs about foxes in the story. 🌲 The book was inspired by Vermont's unique geological formations known as "dog holes" - deep natural pits in the ground that can be dangerous to explore. 💫 The parallel storylines of Jules (the human) and Senna (the fox) were written separately and then carefully woven together during the revision process. ❄️ The novel tackles complex themes of grief and loss while incorporating elements of magical realism - a writing style that blends realistic settings with supernatural elements. 🏆 Maybe a Fox received multiple honors, including being named a National Public Radio Best Book of 2016 and earning a place on the Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List.