The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest (Newbery Honor Award Winner)

By Aubrey Hartman

Book Overview

A Newbery Honor Award Book

A fox and a badger begrudgingly team up to change their destinies in this endearing middle grade novel--perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate.

Featuring black-and-white illustrations throughout, this critically acclaimed novel brings Deadwood Forest to life through both words and art.

★ "Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive." ―Kirkus, starred review

Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of fall: not quite dead, but not quite alive--just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: a solitary life of guiding souls to their final resting place.

Clare's quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Despite Clare's efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to leave Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance between the living and the dead.

Desperate for help, Clare and Gingersnipes set out on a treacherous journey to find Hesterfowl--the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But upon their arrival, Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change his fate.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316575720
• ISBN13: 9780316575720
• Release Date: February 2025
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.67 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.6" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7