Terry Fox: A Story of Hope

by Maxine Trottier

The first authorized biography written specifically for young readers! First published in 2005 in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope, Terry Fox: A Story of Hope was created in co-operation with the Terry Fox Foundation and the Fox family, and is the first authorized biography of Terry Fox written specifi cally for young readers. Many young Canadians may have heard of Terry Fox, but don’t know the whole story. With more school children than ever participating in the annual Terry Fox Run, this is the perfect tool for teachers and parents to talk about the legacy and life of one of Canada’s greatest heros. Dozens of colour photographs and simple text combine to tell Terry Fox’s story-from his early years as a boy who grew up loving sports and determined to fi nish what he started, through his treatment for cancer and the loss of his leg, to his historic run to raise money for cancer research. His story continues to inspire millions of people around the world, and the foundation carrying his name raises millions of dollars every year. The author’s royalties and a matching donation from Scholastic will go to the Terry Fox Foundation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Picture Books, History, Canada

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Maxine Trottier is the award-winning writer of numerous books for young people, including Claire's Gift (winner of the Mr. Christie's Book Award), Laura: A Childhood Tale of Laura Secord, the Circle of Silver Chronicles, and The Tiny Kite of Eddy Wing (winner of the CLA Book of the Year Award).

A former teacher and an avid sailor, Maxine has long been fascinated by history. She is now an associate member of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan, whose purpose is "to honour the memory of these courageous people." While researching Alone in an Untamed Land, Maxine discovered that she herself is directly descended from a fille du roi.

Maxine lives in the small outport of Newman's Cove in Newfoundland, with her husband William and their Yorkie Moon.

Reviews

[Chinook · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this the night before the Terry Fox run at Kait’s school. It was too long and detailed for Maddie, but Kait was quite attentive and interested.

I barely got through reading it without crying though.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few, if any Canadians, have never heard of Terry Fox, the young cancer-fighting man who ran across Eastern Canada in his Marathon of Hope to raise funds for children suffering from cancer. (I remember watching him on TV when I was a kid.) The most amazing part was that he ran with a leg prosthesis since his right leg was amputated shortly after he was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 18. Painful and arduous, but with determination and courage Terry ran an average of 26 miles a day (the equivalent of a marathon) for 143 days until one morning he woke up and couldn’t do it anymore. The cancer had reached his lungs. He died one month short of his 23rd birthday.

It’s impossible to read this book without being moved and feeling a surge of admiration for Terry. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope. This book, initially published in 2005 is now republished with a slightly different front cover and additional information such as when his memory was honoured at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Terry Fox: A Story of Hope is the perfect biography for kids as it’s filled with photos of Terry’s childhood and subsequent quest. Every school library should have a copy. Reading it allowed us to discuss cancer, leg amputation (my 6 year-old son wanted all the details!) and what determination and hope can accomplish. Now, when they participate in the Terry Fox Walk or Run at school (most Canadian schools do it in September) they will know that they are carrying on Terry’s dream and fulfilling his words: “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me.”


Maxine Trottier is donating royalties from this book to the Terry Fox Foundation. Scholastic Canada is matching that donation. For more information on the Terry Fox Run visit www.terryfoxrun.com.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: It's been a long time since I read anything about Terry Fox and with the 30th anniversary of his run coming up, I previewed this and will read it to my son for our history curriculum this year.

Terry Fox is a Canadian hero. There is no Canadian school child who does not know who Terry was and the legend he has left behind. Every September all over the country Marathon's are held in his name, The Marathon of Hope, to raise money for cancer research. Terry was a young man who lost his leg to bone cancer and decided to jog across the country to raise money and awareness for cancer in the early '80's. Unfortunately, after starting in the east he made it just as far as Thunderbay, Ontario before the cancer returned, to his lungs this time. Terry's whole life with cancer was one of hope, determination, and a fighting will to live that he never gave up on but the time came when even he realized he was dying and he rallied forth that the awareness he had created must continue on without him. Before Terry died he knew that a yearly Marathon would continue on in his name.

This is a very well written non-fiction book. The text is narrative and interesting in style as well as emotional. It's tough to read the beginning learning about the happy, athletically driven child and teenager he was when one knows the tragic end of his life. But it is also inspiring to today's generation of children to have this kind of young Canadian hero to look up to. The book can't help but be emotional as it is an emotional story but also uplifting. This 30th anniversary edition has 7 additional pages with extra photographs added to update the information on Fox's legacy up to and including the 2010 Olympics where his parents were torchbearers.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's book about hope and courage as shown by Terry Fox in his fight with cancer. Great photographs.

[Matthew RC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with middle child. I can’t read anything about Terry without wanting to weep. He is fascinated. Great book. Very touching introduction.

[Ree · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will be touched by his ambition and strength. You will cry.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to teach and inspire young children about a true Canadian legend!

[Deb Mathisen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book might’ve been good in print, but since I listened to it as an audiobook, it wasn’t very good because it had lots of pictures

[Kneebrit · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book showed all of what terry fox was and his journey from coast to coast he was an inpiration to me and to people out there because of him people with cancer have the will to fight

[Hannah Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for 3 years and love to read it every year to remind me of why we run for Terry.

[Julia]

-Use in a study about Terry Fox
-Describing his journey across Canada and the struggles he faced on that journey.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes a serious subject and lays it out nicely so that children can understand why we still raise money for Terry Fox. I love reading this to my students each fall!

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to my grade 5 students. Although they all had some background on Terry, this book helped them learn more about him. Loved the story.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short summary of Terry Fox's life. I was expecting a biographical book, but this was just a small hardcover book, only 20 pages.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

terry fox is so kind it made me cry i ran for the marahon of hope :)