Great "man and his dog" story. ( )

This book is reportedly based on a true story. If it is, it's one of the most bittersweet things I've read. If it isn't, it's still one of the most bittersweet things I've read, and I first read it many years ago. The story is simple - Willy and his grandfather live together on a small farm. His grandfather falls sick to what we learn is a psychosomatic problem from taxes that are owed on the farm. But Willy learns that the dogsled race in town has a winning purse of the amount they need, and he and his dog Searchlight enter. But Stone Fox - a large Native man - is also entering, and he is also determined to win.

The prose in this book is spare and gentle, like a ten year old would probably view the world. Even with it one can see the great love between Willy, his grandfather, and Searchlight. Stone Fox is kept as a mysterious dark figure until the very end, where he comes out to be one of the two heroes of the race. The final image of the book is one I knew I never would forget, and it is still as tragic and hopeful as it was far back then. That's some of the highest praise you can give.

From book:Little Willy's grandfather is sick, and it's up to Willy to save their farm from tax collectors. Their only hope is the prize money from the National Dogsled Race. But a lot of other people want to win the race, too, including Stone Fox, who has never lost a race in his life. Do Willy and his dog Searchlight stand a chance against the toughest racers around? Can they win the race to save the farm-and Grandfather-before it's too late?

A boy tries to save his grandfather's farm. ( )

This book is a about a young boy named Willy who lives on a potato farm with his grandfather and dog. Willy’s grandfather soon becomes sick and cannot pay the taxes on his farm. Willy sees a poster and enters a dog sled race in hopes of winning the prize money to pay his grandfather’s taxes. Willy must race against the legendary stone fox and may other skilled racers in order to win the money. Willy’s dog dies right before the enter the finish line and Stone fox orders the other racers to stop and let Willy and his dog finish the race together.

I can relate to this story because it is about standing up for your family. When I was young, I use help my grandmother by going over and taking care of my sick grandfather by visiting him and taking his mind off his sickness.

In my classroom, the students will write a story of a time when they had to stand up for their families. The students will also learn dog-sled racing. ( )