Product Description

Tom is horrified when his parents tell him he is to stay on Aunt Millie's farm while they are away on a trip. When he arrives, he finds the farm every bit as strange and uncomfortable as he feared - that is, until the appearance of the black fox.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #117180 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-21
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

"The Midnight Fox"
I started reading this book in an English lesson with a teacher called Mrs Seargent. Hi. At the start of the book I found Tommy was not very active, unlike his dad. But when his mum and dad decide to go on a cycling holiday his surrounding area becomes totally different from concrete to trees and grass. His mind becomes set on helping out a black fox. But how does he do it and what does he protect it from? Tommy becomes a real country boy from a city boy and is so much more confident in himself. I think this would be suitable for age 10-13. I personally found this book very enjoyable.

An Unsentimental Foxy Tale
My wife asked me to read it to see if she wanted to teach it. She trusted my judgement!

I almost gave up in the first two chapters. I found the dialogue a little tricky to get used to but I persevered. I wasn't disappointed. What I liked most about the book was its unsentimental treament of animals, the landscape, the people and the rural community. It is all so easy to get glassy-eyed over cute furry anumals but here the fox and Tom meet on equal terms. Both have integrity. I like the way Tom understands at such a young age the subtleties of having a relationship with a wild animal. Looking was enough and choosing to release the fox in more ways than one is a powerful picture of relationships at any level.
In the book there are no baddies as such. Its just life if something bad happens. The adults seem to understand and they keep their distance from Tom.
Tom's city friend, Petie Burkis is a great counterpoint to the rural setting and provides wonderful moments of humour in an intense story.
Needless to say, the book is a fine example of a Bildungsroman- Tom changes and grows up by the end of his stay on the farm.

As I write, my wife is teaching this book to her Year 7's. I gave the book my whole hearted recommendation. It is one of the best children's books I have read.

Finally, if you like this book then I am convinced you will enjoy Henrietta Branford's 'Fire, Bed and Bone'.

The Midnight Fox Review, Mrs Sargents English class
The Midnight Fox is a book all about a city boy who is unsure about most things he hasn't done before, but when his Mum and Dad decide to go on a cycling trip in Europe, Tommy has no choise but to go to his Aunt Millie and Uncle Freds farm and live a completely different lifestyle. The country lifestyle is very different to what Tommy is used to, which is staying alone in his room, making models of aircraft but now he starts to try out new things and has a lot of new experiences because of it, especially his experience with the midnight fox, who captures Tommys heart and who changes him into a completly different boy. A boy who is confident, believes in himself and who wants to try new and more exciting things.