SYNOPSIS

When his grandfather refuses to leave bed or speak, Willy has no one to take care for him or the potato farm.

The town doctor only tells Willy that Grandfather has “given up on life”, the tax collector harshly reveals the reason to Willy —

Grandfather owes years of back taxes on the farm, and without immediate payment the property will be taken away.

Willy signs up for a snowsled race with his dog Searchlight, in the hopes of using the 1st place prize to pay off Grandfather’s debt.

Boy and dog train for weeks and are undaunted by a mysterious competitor – a Native American named Stone Fox.

Stone Fox has won every previous race and used the funds to buy back ancestral land in the area.

With the whole town (and Grandfather!) looking on, Searchlight – in the lead with Willy in the sled – drops dead 10 feet away from the finish line.

Stone Fox – a close second – forbids all other competitors to move forward until Willy, carrying Searchlight in his arms, crosses the finish line.

PERFECT AGE 8 – 11

We love

• Willy’s deep compassion for his grandpa and unshakeable can-do attitude to fix a horrible situation.
• The surprising change in Stone Fox’s attitude at the end, and the rich opportunity it presents to discuss character, honor, unspoken support.
• The sweet friendship between a boy and his dog.

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• Some big topics may need to be previewed with younger / more impressionable readers, including:
• Grandpa, Willy’s single caretaker, turns catatonic overnight with no immediate explanation of a medical cause; the doctor says that “it appears your grandfather just doesn’t want to live anymore” which happens when “a person gives up on life.”
• Grandpa is Willy’s only relative because mom died and we don’t know what happened to dad…
• Feelings of unexpected / distressing abandonment may be reinforced by the sudden death of Searchlight – Willy’s dog and only partner in his battle with the “world”.
• A somewhat uncomfortable portrayal of a gruff, laconic, menacing Native American man, Stone Fox, thankfully gets a positive makeover at the end.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• How do you think Willy may have felt to find Grandfather in bed and so quiet?
• What motivated Willy to try and save the farm? What do you think of his plan?
• Do you understand why the farm is in trouble / why Grandfather is worried – would it help if we talked about it more?
• What surprised you most about Stone Fox’s actions at the finish line? Why do you think he chose to do that instead of winning the race himself?
• If you could write the next chapter of this story, what would you like to see happen to Willy and Grandfather?