Fox Friend

by Michael Morpurgo, Joanna Carey (Illustrator)

Clare had lived her whole life on the farm without seeing a fox... until she finds a fox cub, separated from its mother. She looks after him, but has to keep it a secret from her father who thinks foxes are vermin. Will she be able to keep him safe?

Genres: Animals, Childrens

56 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 2005

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young farm-girl Christine rescues a fox cub injured and orphaned by the hunt in this brief chapter-book from acclaimed British children's author Michael Morpurgo. Determined to nurse her new vulpine friend back to health, despite her father's hatred of all foxes, Christine hides Larry, as she has named the cub, in an old fishing hut, and sneaks him food at every opportunity. Slowly, as winter passes, Larry grows in strength, and when the Spring comes, Christine knows she must free her new friend. But is it as simple as that? Tragedy lies in store, as Larry returns to the home of his human friend...

I wasn't sure what to expect, going in to Fox Friend. The only other Morpurgo title I had read is War Horse , which depicts the brutality of war, and the agonies of both human and equine suffering, but which also ends on a hopeful note. Here, however, the book ends abruptly with the shooting of Larry by Christine's father, and his admonition to her not to cry. This is a painful conclusion, as it was obviously meant to be, and it leaves the reader with many questions. Was Larry returning to hunt hens, as Christine's father believed, or (as is more likely) was he simply comfortable and confident in that area, because he believed he was near his friend Christine? I myself was left with the impression that Larry had been doubly betrayed by humanity: in being hunted in the first place (although not opposed to subsistence hunting, I think sport hunting the reserve of the morally deranged), and then in being killed, when his experiences with Christine led him to believe that he would be safe near her. This tale reminded my strongly of that beautiful and brilliant fox, Curoo, in Pat O'Shea's The Hounds of the Mórrígan , who commented that it was not an easy thing to share the world with man!

There is truth to Morpurgo's ending, both in that it captures the realities of farm life - yes, foxes often are shot and killed - and in that it addresses the often tragic nature of human-animal interaction, but I finished the book with qualms about its suitability for the younger children who normally read beginning chapter-books. I would have been devastated by this story as a girl, and although I am by no means maintaining that this makes it unsuitable - after all, I went through a phase in which I obsessively read Holocaust memoirs as a young adolescent - I know it would have haunted me for years afterward. Investigating a bit online, I see that the publisher here, Barrington Stokes, specializes in what we call "Hi-Lo" books in the states: books with a mature (or high) interest level, but a low reading level, which are intended for older children with Dyslexia, who are reading well below their expected level. That makes more sense to me, as I think older children will be better equipped to deal with the trauma of that abrupt and violent ending.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is as low rating because of the ending. I know that authors often keep their stories realistic but I was not happy with how it ended. As the novel seems to be aimed for younger readers I felt it should have had a conclusion that was not as brutal.

[Yashpreet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a girl whose father owns a farm and does not like foxes as they harm his sheep and lamb, but when Clare finds a newly born weak cub she decides to nurse it to its full health in a hut where no one will find it and kill it as hunting season had also begun. When Clare finally lets the cub free in the mountains the next day the cub manages to find its way back to the hut where Clare dad sees it and shoots him. I think this book was written well and it has the ability to keep the readers interest to the story. But it did not like the way the story choose to get rid of innocent animals; although it does not encourage or promote this way of thought I did not like its ending of how the father killed the cub. In my opinion this book is for more mature readers ranging from ages 9-12.

[Evalangui · Rating 1 out of 5]

What was that ending!!!

[Ashe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well written and makes you feel emotionally involved. However, it is very sad and I feel the ending is slightly unnecessary, especially for younger children.

[Alison Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT - this review contains discussion/heads up on ending...
If you are planning to read this to or with small children be warned, although badged as a little kids' book, this is a 'realistic' story, not a sweet little yarn of a foxy friend with a happy ending and not even a gently-dealt-with realism a la Charlotte's Web.
Nine tenths of it are a nicely written little tale about an independent 12-year-old and her budding friendship with a fox cub written by Michael Morpurgo.
So far so good, but the last chapter is called Tragedy and my six-year-old who was so delighted she had gone on to finish it alone, is still recovering from the brutality of the ending. Realistic? Yep. Warts and all true to life? Probably. Enjoyable reading for small people? My daughter and I didn't find it so.
If you want to have a discussion with your kids about the perils of trying to rear wild animals it is probably quite a good vehicle, and maybe ok for middle grade readers, but for smaller animal lovers, perhaps read the last chapter BEFORE you let them do so....might have been an idea to allude to that on the back cover..

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clare is twelve years old and has always lived on a farm. Her horse is her best friend, and she loves riding. She hasn’t seen a lot of foxes on her farm in England. When she tells her father about having seen one on a road, he tells her foxes are nothing but vermin and trouble. A good fox is a dead fox.
The fox hunt rides through and Clare hears an unusual noise. It’s a fox cub. She tucks it into her jacket and takes it home. Can she keep it? Will it survive?
I enjoyed the quandary Clare find herself in. This short story moves along quickly and has an unusual plot. The illustrations provided a lot of detail.
Recommended for 8+ and reluctant readers who enjoy horses, farm life and English stories. The spacing and font makes it easy to read.

[Crayonss · Rating 4 out of 5]

as with everything else Michael writes you get sucked in. his writing is amazing definitely for people that struggle with reading or the younger minds of today. I mainly like his tales with a happy ending which is why I gave this one 4 stars. no happy ending and not my personal favourite thing he has written.

[Petra Be · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I don't think any other ending was possible - a fox cub raised by a girl and then let go. He never learnt to hunt or was taught what to beware of... It would be a miracle if he survived long. Still the ending is a bit too harsh for a book that is obviously meant for very young readers.

[Sharon Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow - I would say this is definitely 9+. I was reading this aloud and was totally choked at the ending 🤦‍♀️ But a sweet story and lots of discussion points!

Love Barríngton Stoke and what the do as publishers.

[Bledvar Albekell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent story for kids; there is a lesson written throughout the story and it takes a little inferential reading to better appreciate it. Take your time with this short story to process it properly as the message is really worth it.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Morpurgo Magic #

Well that had a beautiful start, and an expected middle section, which was quite well done, and then a shattering ending, that was as sudden as it was brutal, and should have been expected and was real life.

[Bryce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't like when he shot the fox. But I liked when they were friends together and he was a baby. I liked that guy's message to the readers. I liked the beginning and when she found the fox.

[Millennium · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so much into it I forgot it is a short story.
One of the most unexpected and unforeseen ending I've got from a story.
It was quite heartbreaking, indeed.
Yet, I loved it.
Yes, it did hurt. The bitter truth, tragic it might be, was presented visciouly, and I can't just hate it for that.
This might be one of those stories that'll stay with me for a long long time.

[Shay Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice short easy reader children’s book about a girl rescuing a fox 🦊. Seriously abrupt ending though! (Bit Sad too)

[Kim Dock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but brutally sad.

[Gail Wylde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to my granddaughter who loved it apart from the ending but she understood why.

[Tanvir Haque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suitable for Years 1-3 or children aged 5-8, especially for teaching correct speech marks to pupils. This is a nice little book about a 12 year-old girl who lives on a farm. Claire’s dad controls the farm and rears cattle, sheep, hens amongst many other animals. But no foxes. Claire had always heard about them and wanted to see one. Then she does! Her father hates them because they keep coming to the farm to eat some of the animals. One day Claire stumbles across a little fox cub that is on its own, lost and bleeding from a ripped ear. What should Claire do? Can she keep him and take care of it? What about what her dad said about foxes being killers?...

The ending to the book has a tragedy that may upset some children. For that reason I believe it is best for Year 2 or 3 children. However, the ending to the story is very realistic and raises many prominent questions and talking points for children, such as Do animals have thoughts? Why do we look after and care for some animals while hunt and kill others? Why do people hunt foxes? The book has a very nice layout and good, varied use of direct and indirect speech, together with pictures that help captivate the reader and is good for teaching pupils about direct and indirect speech marks.

This is a good story about farm life. The author, Morpurgo, lives on a farm in Devon and hosts 1000 primary school children there every year. 30 to 40 pupils come to the farm at a time and stay for a week. They have lots of activities for children to learn about farm life, including milking cows, putting out horses and donkeys, tending to sheep and hens, making logs for a fire, reading stories etc. They also have a games room. Should you be one of the schools that take part in this kind of learning and wish to contact them then you can search for the charity Farms for City Children. There are also two similar farms within the charity, one in Gloucestershire and one in Wales.

[Laura87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the wonderful children’s book author, Michael Morpurgo, ‘Fox Friend’ tells the tale about a 12 year old girl who, after never seeing a fox on the farm that she has grown up on, finally spots one. Is she in danger?

Clare suddenly becomes fascinated with foxes and doesn’t understand why her father believes all foxes are evil and should be killed; ‘a good fox is a dead fox’ he tells her. After riding about on her beloved horse Red, Claire comes across a poor fox that had been attacked. Claire feels sorry for this fox and wants to nurse it back to good health, keeping it a secret along the way. But the fox (who she names Larry) is growing and it’s not fair to keep him in a barn all his life so Claire comes to the hard decision to set Larry free when tragedy strikes.

Morpurgo describes the bond that Clare has with Larry beautifully throughout this book. We see her develop empathy for this poor creature where everyone else sees it as evil. I like that this book teaches us to look after animals, especially if they are hurt. Furthermore, it shows us how we can look after others, through instinct, no matter how young we are.

I would suggest that this book would be good to be used during PHSE lessons where students can relate to a time in their life where they have acted on instinct or where they have cared for an animal. Furthermore, this book would be suited to low level learners during guided reading as the book is ‘dyslexia friendly’ and the chapters are set out to deal with specific issues throughout (plus illustrations). Literature and PHSE lessons would also benefit from the use of this book because it deals with the issue of empathy. ‘Fox Friend’ would be suited to older children who could discuss issues to do with the circle of life and killing of wild animals.

A lovely read with a sad end.

[Kohei Kishine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fox Friend is animal fiction written by Michael Morpurgo.

The characters are Clare, her dad, her mum, her horse named Red, many animals, and the fox named Larry. That story’s main character is Clare. She is 12 years old. She is a farmer’s daughter. But she has never seen a fox. One day, she finds a tiny fox cub, who is in need of her help. But her dad and mum think “Foxes are bad.” But, she wants to help him. So, she helps him. Several months later Larry is healthy. And he grows up. They are friends. But her parents doubt her. Can she keep her fox friend safe?

The first good point is the part of the story where Clare takes care of Larry. She is very kind. But she has a worry. It is to hide Larry from her parents. She hides Larry for almost all of the story. She takes very good care of him.

The second good point is the part of story where they become friends. Larry does not like Clare at first. Why? Because, he was afraid of humans and his left ear had been torn by them. But, he likes her in the end. They trust each other.

The bad point is her parents were not good characters because they doubt her action. I think that they noticed her secret. So, she sets Larry free. She is very sad.

I think that the people who like animals should not read the book. Because, this story is very sad. If they read this book, they will not stop crying. I do not like sad stories, but I read this book. Why? I do not know. But, I recommended this story. Because this story teaches the importance of the life.

[CHERRY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently painfully turned away from ordering a collection of 20 Michael Morpurgo books online, I was absolutely delighted to find this in the pile of new titles for the school library. I started reading the second right after I had finished adding these to the record (during work hours but hey I just finished a task).

As always, the words are simple, so simple they walk right into you. This sweet girl finds a fox cub and looks after him secretly because her parents wouldn't like it. She has a fox friend. Perhaps because I'd read Morpurgo's Tom's Sausage Lion, I knew what was coming my way. And it did. But there was more.

The ending is remarkable and makes you reflect on a number of things. In tears. Michael Morpurgo has worked his magic once again.

[Hwee Goh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book on my Morpurgo tour that has not ended with some redemption, or heart-soaring hope. It was a little horrific, actually. And I wouldn't want to detract from wonderful author who is a must-have on every book shelf, except to say that perhaps this book is a little more "harsh reality/fact of life" and a young girl comes up right smack against it. And yes, you can skip this book if you want.

[Bookweasel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending of this book is horribly sad. I'm 28 and I cried. I never want to read it again.

However I give it 5 stars because it highlights what is happening in the real world, the cruelty of humans and the reality of fox hunters and shooters killing our wildlife.

It also shows the innate compassion of children towards animals before they become conditioned into believing animals are of lesser value.

Hopefully children who read this book will become the next generation of sabs.

[Jen]

a quick read before an afternoon nap

[Jaida Wardley]

i like the book and i love the fox

[Lilypod · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a sad part at the end.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only gave four stars as this book made me feel sad. I would recommend it to my friends.

[Karyn]

I knew there was a reason I don't read animal books 😢. Next time I'll check before I read aloud to my 5 year old.