Fox in a Trap

Fox in a Trap.ISBN0-89919-473-7.by Jane Resh Thomas, Drawings by Troy Howell.Ages 8-11

Fox in a Trap is a book that even if we have never farmed or hunted many of us can relate to. For many we want to escape what we have always known for something new and "exciting". Through this book Daniel discovers that sometimes new and exciting things are not what we imagaine them to be. His Uncle Pete travels constantly, writing, hunting, fishingand Daniel begs him to go trapping. But he is sickened by the baiting of the trap with dead kittens, suffocating the trapped fox to spare the pelt and finding the chewed-off leg of a fox that escaped. Daniel must also face the knowledge that his relationship with his father and uncle will forever be diffrent.Howell's pencil drawings enhance the dramatic tension created by the text. It was looking at snap shot photagrapghy that was a perfect match to the writting.

A true coming of age story this book would be an excellent fiction to use to show students that life may not be as glamerous as we think it will be. Also I want to note that for me I find it hard to find books for young boys to truly enjoy and I feel this is one as Many of Jane's books are that young boys will love to read.