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Fox Magic
Chance’s two best friends have taken their own lives as part of a suicide pact and Chance is struggling with loss and guilt. How can she go on without them? A connection to a mysterious red fox named Janet Johnson helps her come to terms with the future, illuminating the meaning of courage and the power of dreams. For ages 10+, with an Afterword by Registered Doctoral Psychologist and Teacher Dr. Tim Claypool, University of Saskatchewan. Teachers' Guide available at www.beverleybrenna.com.
132 pages, Paperback
Published September 25, 2017
22 people want to read
About the author
Beverley Brenna
19 books23 followersBeverley Brenna calls Saskatoon, Saskatchewan home base, and loves to travel (both for real, and through reading)!
She published her first poem in The Western Producer at age seven. From this point, she was hooked on writing!
Much of what she writes contains autobiographical scenes, such as the "friendship soup" in The Keeper of the Trees, and the care and keeping of a pet tarantula in Spider Summer.
She has worked as a babysitter, home daycare mom, clerk steno, draftsperson, caregiver for orphan lambs, teacher, and university professor as well as a writer and storyteller.
She published her first poem in The Western Producer at age seven. From this point, she was hooked on writing!
Much of what she writes contains autobiographical scenes, such as the "friendship soup" in The Keeper of the Trees, and the care and keeping of a pet tarantula in Spider Summer.
She has worked as a babysitter, home daycare mom, clerk steno, draftsperson, caregiver for orphan lambs, teacher, and university professor as well as a writer and storyteller.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 3, 2018
Brenna’s coming of age novel is brave and skillfully written. There are pen and ink drawings to highlight each chapter. Suicide is a difficult but timely subject for older middle grade students that offers a wealth of opportunities for family and classroom discussions. This is a hopeful book.
Brenna doesn’t linger on the suicide pact or reveal the details of that night, which makes this realistic story very approachable for middle grade students. The story is told from Chance’s viewpoint. Readers will grow with Chance’s character as she deals with pain and grief and finds the courage and determination to move forward in her life. She’s authentic, honest and believable. There are many memorable characters that play supportive roles in her growth.
Brenna doesn’t linger on the suicide pact or reveal the details of that night, which makes this realistic story very approachable for middle grade students. The story is told from Chance’s viewpoint. Readers will grow with Chance’s character as she deals with pain and grief and finds the courage and determination to move forward in her life. She’s authentic, honest and believable. There are many memorable characters that play supportive roles in her growth.
February 20, 2018
Fox Magic deals with a difficult topic in a very sensitive way. Chance has made a suicide pact with her two best friends but was unwilling to go through with it. Chance is being bullied at school and also wonders if she might be gay. Although the novel is heavy with sadness, there is a hopeful outcome. Readers finding themselves in the same situation have resources listed at the end of the book. Fox Magic is a great resource for teachers wanting to find a way to discuss bullying and depression and would be a great discussion starter. This novel is highly recommended as a read aloud for middle grade classes and independent reading for early high school students.
June 15, 2018
This is a haunting and inspirational teen book about bullying, hope, and suicide. This is the story of Chance, who is the sole survivor of a suicide pact. In her struggles, Chance meets a red fox.
The book contains illustrations, a poem by Robert Frost, and an interview with the author, Beverley Brenna.
I highly recommend this book.
The book contains illustrations, a poem by Robert Frost, and an interview with the author, Beverley Brenna.
I highly recommend this book.
November 4, 2025
Wow! Always such a wonderful way with words.
December 20, 2025
Chance wakes up from a terrible dream only to find herself in another one - real life. A Bad Thing happened about a month ago and Chance is still dealing with the fallout. She doesn't want to talk to her parents about it. Her classmates are shunning her and she's getting notes in her desk and backpack that are threatening and vile.
The whole world seems grey but then, suddenly, she sees something colorful - a fox. When Chance mentions the fox to her father, he thinks she might have found her spirit animal. Chance has never heard of the term but as she debates whether she should follow her friends, Gloria and Desiree, in the suicide pact the three of them started, she starts reacting to the sight of the fox.
The fox - who says her name is Janet Johnson - leads Chance to find another way. A way to deal with the horrible notes she's been receiving. And Chance realizes maybe, there's something more than following her friends.
A middle school book with an important message. Also, while this story does not give information on where it takes place, I was delighted that two Native American cultures are represented in the story.
The whole world seems grey but then, suddenly, she sees something colorful - a fox. When Chance mentions the fox to her father, he thinks she might have found her spirit animal. Chance has never heard of the term but as she debates whether she should follow her friends, Gloria and Desiree, in the suicide pact the three of them started, she starts reacting to the sight of the fox.
The fox - who says her name is Janet Johnson - leads Chance to find another way. A way to deal with the horrible notes she's been receiving. And Chance realizes maybe, there's something more than following her friends.
A middle school book with an important message. Also, while this story does not give information on where it takes place, I was delighted that two Native American cultures are represented in the story.
March 1, 2018
Don’t be fooled by the title and cover of this book. I really don't think this is an appropriate presentation of the seriousness of the story inside. Chance Devlin was part of a suicide pact in which she changes her mind and must live with the loss of her two friends. In trying to face reality she begins to communicate with a magical fox that helps her find courage. This book will appeal to readers ages 10 to 14 who are experiencing depression and life challenges. It includes references and information regarding dealing with grief, loss, and suicide for juveniles and young adults, parents, families, school classrooms and libraries.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews