White Fox

August 15, 2020
A young fox undertakes an unlikely journey in this story translated from Chinese. Dilah is a white arctic fox cub who enjoys a simple life of being doted on by his mother and father. In his free time, he often observes neighboring humans, curious but mindful of the dangers and keeping his distance. One fateful night, Dilah is shocked when his mother returns home, bloodied and dying, with news that his father was shot and killed by a hunter. She tells him about a moonstone buried in their den that will help him locate a magical treasure belonging to Ulla, their patron saint, that can transform animals into humans. As a forlorn and orphaned Dilah sets off with the moonstone, Jens, the patriarch of the arctic foxes, and his gang attempt to steal it, forcing him to leap off a cliff to escape. The straightforward narrative leads readers through all the obstacles Dilah faces along his journey, including dangers from humans and other animals. He eventually gains two companions: Ankel, a friendly weasel, and Little Bean, a big gray rabbit. Geographical clues and descriptions of humans encountered may indicate that Dilah's journey takes him from the Arctic through Northern Europe to Central Asia. The illustrations show sweetly endearing animal characters, and the cliffhanger ending will leave readers impatient for the sequel. A fantastical animal adventure. (A Legend From the World of White Fox, author's note) (Fantasy. 8-12)

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October 15, 2020
Grades 4-7 Dilah, a young Arctic fox, appreciates life with his adoring parents but can't help being drawn to the curious lives of nearby humans with their cozy houses, food, and apparent fearlessness. If only foxes could become human! After Dilah's parents are attacked, his dying mother reveals that a magical treasure might exist to grant his wish, and the newly orphaned cub takes off on a perilous journey, pursued by others who seek the same treasure and encountering a host of animal characters along the way. Feeley's translation from the original Chinese reads beautifully, the rich imagery effortlessly building the wild world, reinforced by Wang's darling spot illustrations. Readers should be cautioned that there is real danger and death present here, though the occasional bleakness is always accompanied by hope and a reminder that human power should be used for good. The emphasis on forged friendships, the power of untapped courage, and the rewards and perils of independence offer plenty of food for thought, and an abrupt cliff-hanger ending will leave readers hungry for the coming sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)