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The Midnight Fox
Tom hates having to spend the summer on a farm . . . until he discovers the midnight fox.
No one asked Tom how he felt about spending two months on his Aunt Millie’s farm. For a city boy, the farm holds countless terrors—stampeding baby lambs, boy-chasing chickens, and worst of all, loneliness. But everything changes when Tom sees the midnight fox. He can spend hours watching the graceful black fox in the woods. And when her life—and that of her cub—is in danger, Tom knows exactly what he must do.
“An exceptional book.”— Booklist
A Library of Congress Children’s Book of the Year
No one asked Tom how he felt about spending two months on his Aunt Millie’s farm. For a city boy, the farm holds countless terrors—stampeding baby lambs, boy-chasing chickens, and worst of all, loneliness. But everything changes when Tom sees the midnight fox. He can spend hours watching the graceful black fox in the woods. And when her life—and that of her cub—is in danger, Tom knows exactly what he must do.
“An exceptional book.”— Booklist
A Library of Congress Children’s Book of the Year
134 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
71 people are currently reading
1370 people want to read
About the author
Betsy Byars
131 books157 followersBetsy Byars was an American author of children's books. She wrote over sixty books for young people. Her first novel was published in 1962. Her novel Summer of the Swans won the 1971 Newbery Medal. She also received a National Book Award for Young People's Literature for The Night Swimmers and an Edgar Award for Wanted ... Mud Blossom!!
Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.
Daughters Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers are also writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
January 19, 2020
A very hard book to rate. There was such depressing animal cruelty in this book which was of course completely realistic of the time this was set. Without this awful treatment of animals and the way Hazeline's engagement was broken off because it was in common agreement she need to lose a stone or more, this would have been a 4:or 5 star.
I loved the relationship between Tommy and Petie, their friendship was wonderful, I loved their love of reading, their letters to each other and the way that although Tommy was bored at first, his boredom led him to discover new wonders.
The animal killing was brutal, they kill a bush baby and they all laugh at it being the most ugly thing they have every seen. The dad finds it amusing that there are babies in it's pouch. He scoops them out with a spoon, they laugh at this and how the threat of the fact you might have the bushbaby spoon is used to stop Hazeline's overeating.
Tommy sees a black fox, it is not long before the dad has dug out the baby with a spade and put it in a cage in the hope it's poor mother will come to rescue it whilst the is able to. Then he will shoot her. Luckily this is stopped. A previous fox wasn't so lucky and there are some horrible descriptions of what happens to these poor creatures and their babies.
Apart from the cruelty and the attitude towards weight the rest of the story is wonderful.
I loved the relationship between Tommy and Petie, their friendship was wonderful, I loved their love of reading, their letters to each other and the way that although Tommy was bored at first, his boredom led him to discover new wonders.
The animal killing was brutal, they kill a bush baby and they all laugh at it being the most ugly thing they have every seen. The dad finds it amusing that there are babies in it's pouch. He scoops them out with a spoon, they laugh at this and how the threat of the fact you might have the bushbaby spoon is used to stop Hazeline's overeating.
Tommy sees a black fox, it is not long before the dad has dug out the baby with a spade and put it in a cage in the hope it's poor mother will come to rescue it whilst the is able to. Then he will shoot her. Luckily this is stopped. A previous fox wasn't so lucky and there are some horrible descriptions of what happens to these poor creatures and their babies.
Apart from the cruelty and the attitude towards weight the rest of the story is wonderful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
The 1970s and '80s were arguably the prime of Betsy Byars's career, but she produced many good books outside of that period, including The Midnight Fox in 1968. Nine-year-old Tom is looking forward to summer vacation from school. He and his friend Petie Burkis are never short on creative ideas for how to spend their free time, but Tom's summer derails before it starts when his parents inform him he'll be spending the next two months at his Aunt Millie and Uncle Fred's farm. Tom's parents are going on a bike trip through Europe, and need to be sure he's safe back in the states so they can enjoy themselves. Not wanting to ruin their vacation, Tom pretends he's looking forward to being stuck on a farm for most of summer, but in truth he doesn't see how he could possibly enjoy the upcoming months.
Tom settles in quickly with Aunt Millie (who is actually his cousin) and Uncle Fred, as well as their teenage daughter Hazeline. They don't ask him to do many chores, so Tom has a surplus of time to explore the woods, and he's glad of that when he crosses paths with the black fox. It moves as smooth as dark silk, soundlessly foraging food to take back to her cub. Tom hasn't had luck in the past with animals, but this fox fascinates him, and he spends more time outdoors in hopes of seeing her again. Eventually Tom follows her to her den, where a miniature black fox emerges so his mother can feed him. Tom has never seen anything more wonderful than the foxes, but Uncle Fred is a hunter, so Tom keeps his sightings of the animals to himself. Better not to share this source of joy than to risk Uncle Fred ending it with his rifle.
Despite oppressive hot temperatures, summer passes rapidly once Tom learns to like the farm. It isn't boring, and Aunt Millie and Uncle Fred are kind. Hazeline has her dramas with her boyfriend Mikey, who wants her to shed some weight before he commits to a longterm relationship, but Tom doesn't mind occasionally being a voice of reason for Hazeline. The easy rhythm of the summer is broken one evening when Aunt Millie reports that one of her turkeys was stolen from its nest last night. She suspects a fox is the culprit, and wants Uncle Fred to track it down and eliminate the problem. Tom's anxiety shoots sky high, but he has no time to panic. Without being obvious, he attempts to lead Uncle Fred away from the black fox's den, but Fred is a wily hunter and soon has the animal and its cub surrounded. He sets a trap that's sure to apprehend the black fox by sundown, but Tom can't let him kill the majestic creature and her cub. He must find a way to liberate them both from Uncle Fred's trap, but will the saga of the black fox have a cheerful ending, or is it destined to be a tragedy?
Some of the best parts of The Midnight Fox are insights that arise from Tom's way of thinking, how he connects concepts that to most would seem unrelated. Often we're introduced to these insights by Tom reminiscing about old escapades with Petie Burkis, and for a kid who hardly appears in this novel, Petie has an impact. Tom is interesting by himself, however; after discovering the black fox, he finds himself spending hours every day looking for the animal, but patience isn't his strong suit. "I like to have things go ahead and happen. I thought one time that if there was some way to turn your life ahead like a clock, then I would probably lose half my life turning it ahead to avoid waiting for things." I think most of us identify with that, but if we're so preoccupied counting down to the "special" moments that we squander large quantities of the everyday, we're losing priceless portions of our life we'll never get back. The summer of the black fox adds essential elements to Tom's life experience; not just the action-packed moments of the climax, but all the smaller ones that led him there. Tom isn't the same kid he was two months ago; he's evolving into a better version of himself. I'll rate The Midnight Fox two and a half stars; the story's subtlety is impressive, but maybe it's too subtle, lacking the emotional kick that would propel it to three stars. Also, some of the foreshadowing is less than veracious. The writing is vintage Betsy Byars, though: humorous, wise, and endearing. I wouldn't mind reading this book again.
Tom settles in quickly with Aunt Millie (who is actually his cousin) and Uncle Fred, as well as their teenage daughter Hazeline. They don't ask him to do many chores, so Tom has a surplus of time to explore the woods, and he's glad of that when he crosses paths with the black fox. It moves as smooth as dark silk, soundlessly foraging food to take back to her cub. Tom hasn't had luck in the past with animals, but this fox fascinates him, and he spends more time outdoors in hopes of seeing her again. Eventually Tom follows her to her den, where a miniature black fox emerges so his mother can feed him. Tom has never seen anything more wonderful than the foxes, but Uncle Fred is a hunter, so Tom keeps his sightings of the animals to himself. Better not to share this source of joy than to risk Uncle Fred ending it with his rifle.
Despite oppressive hot temperatures, summer passes rapidly once Tom learns to like the farm. It isn't boring, and Aunt Millie and Uncle Fred are kind. Hazeline has her dramas with her boyfriend Mikey, who wants her to shed some weight before he commits to a longterm relationship, but Tom doesn't mind occasionally being a voice of reason for Hazeline. The easy rhythm of the summer is broken one evening when Aunt Millie reports that one of her turkeys was stolen from its nest last night. She suspects a fox is the culprit, and wants Uncle Fred to track it down and eliminate the problem. Tom's anxiety shoots sky high, but he has no time to panic. Without being obvious, he attempts to lead Uncle Fred away from the black fox's den, but Fred is a wily hunter and soon has the animal and its cub surrounded. He sets a trap that's sure to apprehend the black fox by sundown, but Tom can't let him kill the majestic creature and her cub. He must find a way to liberate them both from Uncle Fred's trap, but will the saga of the black fox have a cheerful ending, or is it destined to be a tragedy?
Some of the best parts of The Midnight Fox are insights that arise from Tom's way of thinking, how he connects concepts that to most would seem unrelated. Often we're introduced to these insights by Tom reminiscing about old escapades with Petie Burkis, and for a kid who hardly appears in this novel, Petie has an impact. Tom is interesting by himself, however; after discovering the black fox, he finds himself spending hours every day looking for the animal, but patience isn't his strong suit. "I like to have things go ahead and happen. I thought one time that if there was some way to turn your life ahead like a clock, then I would probably lose half my life turning it ahead to avoid waiting for things." I think most of us identify with that, but if we're so preoccupied counting down to the "special" moments that we squander large quantities of the everyday, we're losing priceless portions of our life we'll never get back. The summer of the black fox adds essential elements to Tom's life experience; not just the action-packed moments of the climax, but all the smaller ones that led him there. Tom isn't the same kid he was two months ago; he's evolving into a better version of himself. I'll rate The Midnight Fox two and a half stars; the story's subtlety is impressive, but maybe it's too subtle, lacking the emotional kick that would propel it to three stars. Also, some of the foreshadowing is less than veracious. The writing is vintage Betsy Byars, though: humorous, wise, and endearing. I wouldn't mind reading this book again.
October 29, 2010
I enjoyed the book a lot because of the enthusiasm and heart warming details it has in it. I would most definitely recommend this book to someone who loves animals or adventures.I wanted to keep reading to finish this book because it just grabs your attention with the words it just describes the characters so well and gives so much information and grabs your attention that you wont want to put it down.THe book created a heart warming feeling just a good book that will make you smile. When i read this it made me think of if there is a fox like in The Midnight Fox and it makes you wonder if its true and just think about the book. This book is fantastic if someone is looking for a book that will cheer them up on a bad day or just comfort them its this book because it just shows how each character feels and it shows so much love to an animal and people that it will make you want to hug someone.
The character in The Midnight Fox is Tom. Tom is a very independent young boy he loves to make Lego models and build wild things with his imagination. Tom has been told he will visit his aunts for a month or two. Tom will be on a farm and he doesn't like the idea of milking cows and feeding chickens. The farm is a beautiful place to be during the summer, from its tall trees to it loving animals. Although Tom didn't want to go to the farm he soon finds out that being on an old farm isn't so bad. I believe the climax was when tom discovered the fox and he soon became so interested he would go out by the river just to sit and watch it. Along the way he tom learns that yo cant say you hate something unless you have done it before.
The character in The Midnight Fox is Tom. Tom is a very independent young boy he loves to make Lego models and build wild things with his imagination. Tom has been told he will visit his aunts for a month or two. Tom will be on a farm and he doesn't like the idea of milking cows and feeding chickens. The farm is a beautiful place to be during the summer, from its tall trees to it loving animals. Although Tom didn't want to go to the farm he soon finds out that being on an old farm isn't so bad. I believe the climax was when tom discovered the fox and he soon became so interested he would go out by the river just to sit and watch it. Along the way he tom learns that yo cant say you hate something unless you have done it before.
July 2, 2022
no no no 😭😩 i wanted to love this so bad but i just didn’t really. i HATED the animal cruelty in this book (not just about the fox but the whole digging out the bush baby scene) and even though in the end even if the fox was saved, it was still meh 😭 i couldn’t stand the weird, insensitive discussion and comments about Hazeline being an “over-eater” and “being fat” and that her boyfriend would only marry her if she lost 20 pounds??? that’s just not a message to have in a children’s book!!! 😩
i enjoyed Tom and Petie’s friendship but overall, it wasn’t enough to save the book. as well as that, i feel like there wasn’t enough exploration into Tom and his fascination with the midnight fox which i was so excited for :( this also meant that the overarching “wider meaning” of the book got lost.
also i can’t believe the dad used the teaspoon that he dug out the bush babies with as a “tactic” to get the daughter to stop overeating?? EW
i enjoyed Tom and Petie’s friendship but overall, it wasn’t enough to save the book. as well as that, i feel like there wasn’t enough exploration into Tom and his fascination with the midnight fox which i was so excited for :( this also meant that the overarching “wider meaning” of the book got lost.
also i can’t believe the dad used the teaspoon that he dug out the bush babies with as a “tactic” to get the daughter to stop overeating?? EW
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2019
A simple, rather beautiful, story
September 7, 2019
A beautiful read. Really enjoyed the developing relationship between Tom and the fox.
May 27, 2025
I found this at a used bookstore in the children’s section and could not resist bringing it home and I am so happy I did. Tom is a hilarious main character who is a chronic over thinker, even bordering on wussy. His parents want to go on a bicycle trip throughout Europe so they dump him off a family members farm where there is no tv, no model toys, and no best friends. I loved the setting of a 1980s farm and it was a perfect summer read.
September 9, 2013
I declare an interest. I'm learning and aspiring to become a children's writer.
This book is character driven. The characters are rich, rounded and realistic characters. No stereotypes. No platitudes. No fear of offending. No judgements. The fat girl asks for a banana spread with peanut butter when she's stressed. Yes, that's what fat people do. They use food to manage their unhappiness. And thin people don't eat when they are stressed. That's real life. Betsy Byars has created two imaginative boys, Tommie and Petie, aged nine going on ten, who are separated and who write to each other. Nice idea.
Rounded characters speak convincing dialogue. I am charmed when Mom chides Tommy, 'You don't try to like new things' and Tommy answers, 'You shouldn't have to try to like new things.' I understand both of them.
This book looks through kids' eyes. Kids don't want to be dumped by their parents for two months. City kids don't necessarily want to go to the country. They don't want to leave their friends to stay with people they hardly know. This book respects that children have their own lives independent of their family life. I like that.
The plot is sturdy. Thin weak city kid is forced to to go the country where he is fascinated by a black fox and its cub. No spoiler here.
The descriptions of settings and of country values are coherent, vivid and unusual. A city reader is taken into the smells and tastes of the country.
Now I'm off to study this book to improve my craft of writing in character and setting.
This book is character driven. The characters are rich, rounded and realistic characters. No stereotypes. No platitudes. No fear of offending. No judgements. The fat girl asks for a banana spread with peanut butter when she's stressed. Yes, that's what fat people do. They use food to manage their unhappiness. And thin people don't eat when they are stressed. That's real life. Betsy Byars has created two imaginative boys, Tommie and Petie, aged nine going on ten, who are separated and who write to each other. Nice idea.
Rounded characters speak convincing dialogue. I am charmed when Mom chides Tommy, 'You don't try to like new things' and Tommy answers, 'You shouldn't have to try to like new things.' I understand both of them.
This book looks through kids' eyes. Kids don't want to be dumped by their parents for two months. City kids don't necessarily want to go to the country. They don't want to leave their friends to stay with people they hardly know. This book respects that children have their own lives independent of their family life. I like that.
The plot is sturdy. Thin weak city kid is forced to to go the country where he is fascinated by a black fox and its cub. No spoiler here.
The descriptions of settings and of country values are coherent, vivid and unusual. A city reader is taken into the smells and tastes of the country.
Now I'm off to study this book to improve my craft of writing in character and setting.
June 22, 2020
It’s a nice book, very short and quick moving. I imagine when this book was first published in 1968 it was quite a hit, but now I’d say it’s just good, not necessarily great. I’d give this book a 3.5/5
March 7, 2015
This book was incredibly STUPID. the main character goes to live on a farm with his aunt and uncle for the summer, and sees a black fox. big whoop. most of the book is him thinking about or telling his aunt and uncle about things he does with his best friend. I don't even remember the main character's name; just that he's always talking about his best friend Petie Burkus. Yes, he talks about his best friend so much that I still remember his name THREE YEARS after reading the book. The only reason I actually finished the book was because my mom threatened to take all my books away if I didn't finish the midnight fox. I grudgingly finished it. this book really didn't have much to do with 'the midnight fox'. it was just a stupid little kid blabbing on and on and on about his best friend.
May 18, 2014
I picked this up this very morning in the clearance section of Half Price Books for a dollar. The experience I felt reading it was worth much more. I don’t know if this would resonate with 10-year olds nowadays, but this is the kind of story I really enjoyed reading back then. I might as well confess that I still enjoy reading these type of stories today. Recommended.
June 10, 2020
Not much action, but lots of insight into the quiet 9-year-old only child who seems to explore mainly with his eyes. His inner life is more animated than his real life. I generally like nature stories, but this was just okay.
December 13, 2017
For our fourth book review, I decided to read a book called Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars. The book is a fiction, adventure book and I chose to read it because the plot was really intriguing to me.
The book is about a boy called Tom who spends time on his uncle’s farm. He goes to the woods near the house and sees the prettiest fox he has ever seen and it has a cub! There is just one problem… his uncle is trying to hunt the fox and his cub! Tom has to try to save the fox and its cub!
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t stop reading it! I think anyone who loves animals and hates animal cruelty should read this book. The recommended reading age for this book is 10-14. I would rate this book an 8/10.
The book is about a boy called Tom who spends time on his uncle’s farm. He goes to the woods near the house and sees the prettiest fox he has ever seen and it has a cub! There is just one problem… his uncle is trying to hunt the fox and his cub! Tom has to try to save the fox and its cub!
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t stop reading it! I think anyone who loves animals and hates animal cruelty should read this book. The recommended reading age for this book is 10-14. I would rate this book an 8/10.
September 3, 2018
Someone gave this book to me this week and I thought - don’t judge a book by its cover! Something I tell my students. The book was old and worn. I began it yesterday and finished it today. The words were beautiful. They story so sweet - one that I could visualize - and made me remember the far off days of childhood summers. Every student with an imagination will be able to relate to this boy and the black fox he befriends. I loved the story and understand why Betsy Byars was a newberry author.
May 16, 2019
I really liked this book. I think the connection between the fox and the children told a lovely story. I also think it was great because children can relate to what they do over the summer to this story. I think this would be great to read to a key stage 2 class as it isn't too long so it wouldn't stop the children from being engaged. Also, I think there is so much you can do with it in terms of English lessons. Overall, the book was very catching as it wasn't predictable throughout.
July 10, 2022
wholesome
August 31, 2022
The last quarter of the book was the best. I did not find it compelling for the first 3/4 of it, but it's short and resolves nicely.
October 24, 2022
read for school
June 11, 2024
The girls and I loved this book. I laughed out loud multiple times. A great summer read-aloud.
January 12, 2011
The Midnight Fox is a lovely and simple story about nine-year-old Tom whose parents have decided to go on a biking tour of Europe. Much to Tom's dismay, they decide to send him to his aunt and uncle's farm for their two month vacation. While at the farm, Tom stumbles upon a black fox who lives nearby, and spends the summer observing the animal.
For a child used to exciting video games and the flashy images on a television screen, this story may be a bit slow-paced; but it is beautifully written! Byars, author of well-known children's books like Summer of the Swans and The Cybil War, peels back layers of depth as she explores Tom's unexpected feelings about an unusual fox, while subtly revealing the character of Tom to be a sensitive and intelligent young man. (For all you teacher friends out there- this book would be fabulous for teaching character development!) Byars' unexpected bits of pre-teen humor (the doll's head that Tom and his friend silently hide in one another's rooms) add the perfect flavor of amusement to an otherwise melancholic story. The culmination of Tom's summer is a tense, edge-of-your-seat turning point for his character that builds almost introspectively as you read.
Interestingly, this is Betsy Byars favorite of her own novels and I can tell why.
For a child used to exciting video games and the flashy images on a television screen, this story may be a bit slow-paced; but it is beautifully written! Byars, author of well-known children's books like Summer of the Swans and The Cybil War, peels back layers of depth as she explores Tom's unexpected feelings about an unusual fox, while subtly revealing the character of Tom to be a sensitive and intelligent young man. (For all you teacher friends out there- this book would be fabulous for teaching character development!) Byars' unexpected bits of pre-teen humor (the doll's head that Tom and his friend silently hide in one another's rooms) add the perfect flavor of amusement to an otherwise melancholic story. The culmination of Tom's summer is a tense, edge-of-your-seat turning point for his character that builds almost introspectively as you read.
Interestingly, this is Betsy Byars favorite of her own novels and I can tell why.
March 23, 2013
It has been a very long time since I first read this book. I'm not sure what made it pop into my head, but I am glad it did. Right from the beginning I was hooked. What a lead!
Sometimes at night when the read is beating against the windows of my room, I think about that summer on the farm. It has been finve years, but when I close my eyes I am once again y the creek watching the black fox come leaping over the green, green grass. She is as light and free as the wind, exactly as she was the first time I saw her. .
Or sometimes it is that last terrible night, and I am standing beneath the oak tree with the rain beating against me. The lightning flashes, the world is turned white for a moment, and I see everything as it was - the broken lock, the empty cage, the small tracks disappearing in the rain. Then it seems to me that I can hear, as plainly as I heard it that August night, above the rain, beyond the years, the high, clear bark of the midnight fox.
I was draw through the pages right to the end wondering how the fox and the farm and the forest would mix - they don't always and this book is no exception. I hope all intermediate and middle grade readers find it. Every word is a perfect choice. It's one of those books - sort of sparkles.
Sometimes at night when the read is beating against the windows of my room, I think about that summer on the farm. It has been finve years, but when I close my eyes I am once again y the creek watching the black fox come leaping over the green, green grass. She is as light and free as the wind, exactly as she was the first time I saw her. .
Or sometimes it is that last terrible night, and I am standing beneath the oak tree with the rain beating against me. The lightning flashes, the world is turned white for a moment, and I see everything as it was - the broken lock, the empty cage, the small tracks disappearing in the rain. Then it seems to me that I can hear, as plainly as I heard it that August night, above the rain, beyond the years, the high, clear bark of the midnight fox.
I was draw through the pages right to the end wondering how the fox and the farm and the forest would mix - they don't always and this book is no exception. I hope all intermediate and middle grade readers find it. Every word is a perfect choice. It's one of those books - sort of sparkles.
September 5, 2017
I was given this book to read by a past children's bookseller and teacher who like me, loves children's books. The Midnight Fox - first published in 1970 - was a wonderful story of a city boy reluctantly going to stay on a farm with family friends while his parents are on a cycling tour in Europe.
To this day, the cycling tours still happen in Europe but the amazing experiences the main character Tom has on the farm will be something few kids will experience now. With no one to hang out with (he left his best friend Petie behind for the summer), Tom explores the farm, the stream, the woods and with all the time in the world, discovers a black fox. Fascinated, watching for the fox keeps him occupied the entire summer, as it just gets hotter and hotter, his 'aunt' gets crankier due to the heat, and their daughter Hazeline has her ups and downs with her fiance.
But when a turkey and a chicken go missing, everyone knows who the culprit is, and 'Uncle' Fred goes to get his gun.
A fantastic story about growing up, imagination, memories and making tough decisions.
To this day, the cycling tours still happen in Europe but the amazing experiences the main character Tom has on the farm will be something few kids will experience now. With no one to hang out with (he left his best friend Petie behind for the summer), Tom explores the farm, the stream, the woods and with all the time in the world, discovers a black fox. Fascinated, watching for the fox keeps him occupied the entire summer, as it just gets hotter and hotter, his 'aunt' gets crankier due to the heat, and their daughter Hazeline has her ups and downs with her fiance.
But when a turkey and a chicken go missing, everyone knows who the culprit is, and 'Uncle' Fred goes to get his gun.
A fantastic story about growing up, imagination, memories and making tough decisions.
April 12, 2025
Heartwarming. Covers empathy, personal growth, respect for nature (contrasting animal cruelty with a deep love for wildlife), courage, etc.
Content Warning: Some outdated colloquialisms of the time about “Indians.” Also, I think the “fat” commentary around Hazeline was supposed to be funny and not commentary, but because it isn’t funny it could be taught that her heartache surrounding her weight is largely because society puts unfair expectations on women to be stick skinny.
Overall, I enjoyed the sweet adventures of Tom and the Midnight Fox.
Content Warning: Some outdated colloquialisms of the time about “Indians.” Also, I think the “fat” commentary around Hazeline was supposed to be funny and not commentary, but because it isn’t funny it could be taught that her heartache surrounding her weight is largely because society puts unfair expectations on women to be stick skinny.
Overall, I enjoyed the sweet adventures of Tom and the Midnight Fox.
January 8, 2017
This was a great winter day's read, so well written, with characters I could believe in and care about and with the creative, funny thinking of Tom and his love for the fox he discovers driving it forward.
Excerpts proving excellent writing:
The rest of the way I just sat in the backseat with my eyes closed. I started thinking about a movie I saw once where some farm people send to the orphanage for a boy, because they wanted someone to help with the hard work on the farm. Instead of the boy, the orphanage sent them a puny girl, and there was tremendous disappointment. I thought now that perhaps Aunt Milly and uncle Fred were letting me come because they thought I was a great athlete with muscles like potatoes who could toss hay into the loft without spilling a straw. They would be very excited, of course, at the thought of this wonderful summer helper, and as our car drove up, they would be standing in the yard saying things like "now we have someone to break the wild horses for us," and "now we have someone to get the boulders out of the North forty." Then I would step out and they would cry, "but where's the BIG boy? And I would say, "I'm the only boy there is." They would try to hide their disappointment, but finally aunt Millie would start crying and run into the house.
(after hearing a story that ended with the baby foxes being blown up by dynamite) "Oh." It was one of those stories that you're sorry afterward that you made somebody tell you.
(aunt Millie offers him to take any books from the cupboard.) She opens the little glass doors so I could see the books and they were all the kind I didn't like. The way I like to get a book with this: I would go over to Petie's and he would be sitting on the porch reading. He would be so interested in the book that he wouldn't even look up to see who I was. "What are you reading, Petie? He would lift the book so I could see the title and it would be something like Mystery of the Deep. "Can I read it when you're through?" He would not. "How much more you got?" Still without missing a word, he would flip the remaining pages. "Well, hurry up, will you?"
He would nod again, but petie Burkis had never hurrie through a book in his life. So I would wait. And I would wait. And wait. And finally, when I was ready to go out and get the book out of the library myself, then he would come over and give it to me. I couldn't get it open fast enough and I would start reading on my way into the house and the book would start like, "the crack in the Earth appeared during the night and when the people of Pittsburgh awoke,it was there, and deep down in the crack the people could see something moving."
That was the way I likeD to get a book. I did not like to open a bookcase, especially with someone watching, and know that I had to take one, HAD to.
I cannot exactly explain my fascination with this fox. It was as if I had just learned a new and exciting game that I wanted to play more than anything else in the world. It was like when Petie Burkis first learned to play Monopoly, and that was all he wanted to do – – just play Monopoly. One time he followed me around the yard on his knees, begging me to play with him. And one time he made his sister play with him and he did everything for her – – collected her money, moved her piece, paid her rent. All she did was sit there reading a magazine.
That's the way I felt about this fox.
The next time I saw the fox, it was a marvelous accident. These don't happen very often in real life, but they do happen, and that's what this was. Like the time Petie and I were walking down the alley behind his house and there, on top of this lady's garbage, we saw a mayonnaise jar full of marbles – not just cats Eye marbles but all different kinds, kinds I had never seen before. Petie and I turned them all out on the grass and first Petie chose one and then I chose one until they were all gone. And both of us right now, today, have every single one of those marbles.
This was an even better accident.
Suddenly as we walked, I started thinking of this one word --Tacooma... The counselors had told us the first night we were there, having something called opening powwow, that Tacooma was an Indian word that meant "help me, brother," and they told us that it was a rule – an iron clad, never to be broken rule – that if anyone ever came up to you, clasped your wrist "where the blood flows," and said Tacooma!" you would have to help him. No matter what he wanted, you would HAVE to help him. ... tonight, though, I thought that there should be a worldwide word like Tacooma and you could use this word maybe three times in your whole life, and when you did use it, even a perfect stranger would have to help you, because even a perfect stranger would know that you would never, ever use one of your Tacooma's unless it was a matter of vital importance. I thought how nice it would be right now if I could turn to uncle Fred, classed my hand around his they carry rest, feel the blood pounding there, and say, "uncle Fred?" Something in my voice because I'm to stop and look down at me. "Uncle Fred, don't harm that fox." He would support her, "but that Fox is making off with Millie's birds. You saw how upset she was at supper. She--". "Uncle Fred," I would interrupt. "Tacooma!" He would pause and then say in the quietest voice, "the fox is safe. She will never be harmed here. I will explain it to Millie."
Excerpts proving excellent writing:
The rest of the way I just sat in the backseat with my eyes closed. I started thinking about a movie I saw once where some farm people send to the orphanage for a boy, because they wanted someone to help with the hard work on the farm. Instead of the boy, the orphanage sent them a puny girl, and there was tremendous disappointment. I thought now that perhaps Aunt Milly and uncle Fred were letting me come because they thought I was a great athlete with muscles like potatoes who could toss hay into the loft without spilling a straw. They would be very excited, of course, at the thought of this wonderful summer helper, and as our car drove up, they would be standing in the yard saying things like "now we have someone to break the wild horses for us," and "now we have someone to get the boulders out of the North forty." Then I would step out and they would cry, "but where's the BIG boy? And I would say, "I'm the only boy there is." They would try to hide their disappointment, but finally aunt Millie would start crying and run into the house.
(after hearing a story that ended with the baby foxes being blown up by dynamite) "Oh." It was one of those stories that you're sorry afterward that you made somebody tell you.
(aunt Millie offers him to take any books from the cupboard.) She opens the little glass doors so I could see the books and they were all the kind I didn't like. The way I like to get a book with this: I would go over to Petie's and he would be sitting on the porch reading. He would be so interested in the book that he wouldn't even look up to see who I was. "What are you reading, Petie? He would lift the book so I could see the title and it would be something like Mystery of the Deep. "Can I read it when you're through?" He would not. "How much more you got?" Still without missing a word, he would flip the remaining pages. "Well, hurry up, will you?"
He would nod again, but petie Burkis had never hurrie through a book in his life. So I would wait. And I would wait. And wait. And finally, when I was ready to go out and get the book out of the library myself, then he would come over and give it to me. I couldn't get it open fast enough and I would start reading on my way into the house and the book would start like, "the crack in the Earth appeared during the night and when the people of Pittsburgh awoke,it was there, and deep down in the crack the people could see something moving."
That was the way I likeD to get a book. I did not like to open a bookcase, especially with someone watching, and know that I had to take one, HAD to.
I cannot exactly explain my fascination with this fox. It was as if I had just learned a new and exciting game that I wanted to play more than anything else in the world. It was like when Petie Burkis first learned to play Monopoly, and that was all he wanted to do – – just play Monopoly. One time he followed me around the yard on his knees, begging me to play with him. And one time he made his sister play with him and he did everything for her – – collected her money, moved her piece, paid her rent. All she did was sit there reading a magazine.
That's the way I felt about this fox.
The next time I saw the fox, it was a marvelous accident. These don't happen very often in real life, but they do happen, and that's what this was. Like the time Petie and I were walking down the alley behind his house and there, on top of this lady's garbage, we saw a mayonnaise jar full of marbles – not just cats Eye marbles but all different kinds, kinds I had never seen before. Petie and I turned them all out on the grass and first Petie chose one and then I chose one until they were all gone. And both of us right now, today, have every single one of those marbles.
This was an even better accident.
Suddenly as we walked, I started thinking of this one word --Tacooma... The counselors had told us the first night we were there, having something called opening powwow, that Tacooma was an Indian word that meant "help me, brother," and they told us that it was a rule – an iron clad, never to be broken rule – that if anyone ever came up to you, clasped your wrist "where the blood flows," and said Tacooma!" you would have to help him. No matter what he wanted, you would HAVE to help him. ... tonight, though, I thought that there should be a worldwide word like Tacooma and you could use this word maybe three times in your whole life, and when you did use it, even a perfect stranger would have to help you, because even a perfect stranger would know that you would never, ever use one of your Tacooma's unless it was a matter of vital importance. I thought how nice it would be right now if I could turn to uncle Fred, classed my hand around his they carry rest, feel the blood pounding there, and say, "uncle Fred?" Something in my voice because I'm to stop and look down at me. "Uncle Fred, don't harm that fox." He would support her, "but that Fox is making off with Millie's birds. You saw how upset she was at supper. She--". "Uncle Fred," I would interrupt. "Tacooma!" He would pause and then say in the quietest voice, "the fox is safe. She will never be harmed here. I will explain it to Millie."
July 20, 2016
Genre: Juvenile fiction, animal story
Format: Print
Plot: Tom has to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle. There he repeatedly runs into a black fox. But after the fox steals eggs from the henhouse, Tom's uncle makes it his mission to kill it.
Readers advisory: Hunting
Review citation: 1996 Booklist
Source: Best books for children
Recommended age: 8-10
Format: Print
Plot: Tom has to spend the summer with his aunt and uncle. There he repeatedly runs into a black fox. But after the fox steals eggs from the henhouse, Tom's uncle makes it his mission to kill it.
Readers advisory: Hunting
Review citation: 1996 Booklist
Source: Best books for children
Recommended age: 8-10
December 23, 2018
We read this book as our year 6 class read whenever we had spare time. I thought it was a good read because it contained plenty of humour but also lots of descriptive writing. This was something we were working on as class during literacy lessons and I thought I noticed some 'magpieing' taking place!
July 5, 2008
I read this book in fourth grade, and there are a few things that I still remember about it:
-the etchings in the suitcase
-the word "ravine"
-the scene where the main character (I can't even recall his name) has a dream where he discovers a new color
-the etchings in the suitcase
-the word "ravine"
-the scene where the main character (I can't even recall his name) has a dream where he discovers a new color
January 26, 2011
A fine story about a young boy having a lonely summer, but then he meets a black fox, and learns much about himself and animals.
February 26, 2016
I gave this book 4 stars because it is sad and a little boring.
August 3, 2018
The Midnight Fox was first published in 1968, and is recommended for readers over the age of nine. With their beautiful new reprint, Faber & Faber believe that ‘This enchanted tale will capture the hearts and imagination of children and adults alike’.
The novel’s protagonist is nine-year-old Tom, and his story is told in retrospect. His narrative voice has been used throughout: ‘Sometimes at night when the rain is beating against the windows of my room, I think about that summer on the farm. It has been five years, but when I close my eyes I am once again by the creek watching the black fox come leaping over the green, green grass’. Throughout, Tom is an intriguing character, built of so many different elements that he often surprises.
At the start of the story, Tom is told that he is going to stay with his Aunt Millie ‘for two whole months. I felt terrible.’ He is to be separated from his parents for such a long time because ‘they were going to Europe with about fifty other very athletic people, and they were going to bicycle through five countries and sleep in fields and barns’. Tom is very reluctant to sacrifice his summer in such a way, believing that he will have an awfully boring time, and will long to go home as soon as he reaches the farm. It only takes the appearance of a rare black fox to change his mind, however: ‘I could see that her black fur was tipped with white. It was as if it were midnight and the moon were shining on her fur, frosting it.’ For Tom, the summer suddenly seems full of excitement.
Throughout The Midnight Fox, Byars touches upon a lot of things – friendships, travelling, making allowances for others, loneliness and the notion of settling in, amongst others. She has written almost a coming-of-age book in terms of the way in which Tom alters from beginning to end. His perceptions and attitude both change dramatically, and his parents end up picking up a different, compassionate boy to the sulking one they left behind. Nature has been captured beautifully, and The Midnight Fox is such a fitting read for summertime. It is marvellous that the book is now available for a whole new generation of readers to discover.
The novel’s protagonist is nine-year-old Tom, and his story is told in retrospect. His narrative voice has been used throughout: ‘Sometimes at night when the rain is beating against the windows of my room, I think about that summer on the farm. It has been five years, but when I close my eyes I am once again by the creek watching the black fox come leaping over the green, green grass’. Throughout, Tom is an intriguing character, built of so many different elements that he often surprises.
At the start of the story, Tom is told that he is going to stay with his Aunt Millie ‘for two whole months. I felt terrible.’ He is to be separated from his parents for such a long time because ‘they were going to Europe with about fifty other very athletic people, and they were going to bicycle through five countries and sleep in fields and barns’. Tom is very reluctant to sacrifice his summer in such a way, believing that he will have an awfully boring time, and will long to go home as soon as he reaches the farm. It only takes the appearance of a rare black fox to change his mind, however: ‘I could see that her black fur was tipped with white. It was as if it were midnight and the moon were shining on her fur, frosting it.’ For Tom, the summer suddenly seems full of excitement.
Throughout The Midnight Fox, Byars touches upon a lot of things – friendships, travelling, making allowances for others, loneliness and the notion of settling in, amongst others. She has written almost a coming-of-age book in terms of the way in which Tom alters from beginning to end. His perceptions and attitude both change dramatically, and his parents end up picking up a different, compassionate boy to the sulking one they left behind. Nature has been captured beautifully, and The Midnight Fox is such a fitting read for summertime. It is marvellous that the book is now available for a whole new generation of readers to discover.
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