The Foxman

In Gary Paulsen's "The Foxman," two cousins, Carl and his unnamed cousin, find themselves lost and increasingly desperate in the wilderness. Their only hope appears to be a secluded shack inhabited by a mysterious figure known as the Foxman, whose face is hideously mutilated. While Carl is wary, his cousin is drawn to the Foxman, seeking to understand the tragedy that shaped him and the secrets he holds about living off the land. This chapter book, suitable for ages 4-11, explores themes of fear, curiosity, empathy, and resilience against a backdrop of survival and mystery. Parents should be aware of the description of the Foxman's disfigurement and the perilous situation the boys face.

From the recipient of the Newbery Honor award for his contemporary classic, Hatchet, comes another page-turning, heart-stopping adventure. Carl and his cousin are lost and getting desperate when they find a shack hidden in the woods. It’s their only chance for shelter—but who could be living way out here? Then they see the Foxman. As he welcomes the boys, he grabs his mask—too late to hide his hideously mutilated face. Carl accepts his welcome, but is eager to leave the next morning. His cousin, however, will come back. There’s something about the Foxman he must know—about the tragedy that should have destroyed him, and the mystery of the wilderness that keeps him alive.