Published in 1980, John Reynolds Gardiner’s debut children’s novel, Stone Fox is a beloved children’s story. Included on the 1980 New York Times Notable Books of the Year listing, Stone Fox sold millions of copies and was even adapted into a television show in 1987. The short children’s novel tells the story of Little Willy, a young boy who lives on a farm in Wyoming with his grandfather and his dog, Searchlight. The story follows Willy on his journey to win a $500 prize in a dog sledding race. Told through the third person perspective, Gardiner breathes life into an old Rocky Mountain legend. 

Plot Summary

The tale begins when Little Willy’s grandfather, known only as “Grandfather,” refuses to get out of bed one day. The old man has lost his will to live. The local doctor, Doc Smith, suggests that Willy should come to live with her and let someone else care for Grandfather and Searchlight. Little Willy is determined to save his grandfather, however, so he and Searchlight plow the fields and harvest the potatoes together. Little Willy discovers that Grandfather is ill because of the backlog of taxes that he has failed to pay. 

Clifford Snyder, a tax collector for the state of Wyoming, reveals that the farm owes $500 to the state. Willy only has $50 to his name, and after trying to get help from everyone in town, including the banker, he signs up for a dog race that has a prize of $500. It is then that Little Willy meets Stone Fox, an Indigenous man who has never lost a race. Stone Fox has been using the prize money from the races to buy back tribal land for his people. 

Due to his speed and familiarity with the first half of the course, Willy and Searchlight lead the pack when the race begins. Willy is able to cut across a frozen lake. As Willy passes by the farm, he sees that Grandfather has risen from bed and is watching Willy and Searchlight race. Willy is ecstatic and forgets to check behind him. Stone Fox is nose-to-nose with Willy before the little boy realizes that he is close to catching up. As they get close to the finish line, Searchlight’s heart gives out, and she dies without suffering. Instead of finishing the race and winning the money for himself, Stone Fox helps Willy and threatens to shoot anyone who crosses the line before the little boy. Willy picks up the body of his best friend and loyal dog and carries her over the finish line. Willy wins the race and saves his grandfather’s farm as the silent townspeople watch.