Shadow Fox

Following the deaths of her mother and sister, an initially nameless fox relies on the kindness of Nan, the owner of a motel in Grand Marais, Minn., to survive—until Nan disappears. When Nan’s granddaughter Bee arrives to search for her, the fox, wary of the stranger, nevertheless feels a bond with Bee, who names her Shadow. An enigmatic boatsman speculates that their bond is due to the magic that originates from Whistlenorth, Nan’s enchanted hometown on Lake Superior. He also reveals that Whistlenorth is in danger: after Night Islanders deplete their own home of its magic, they plan to steal Whistlenorth’s. As the chosen one, Shadow must save Whistlenorth and its citizens and restore the nature that is the source of its magic before it’s too late. Over the course of her adventure, Shadow contends with grief over her family’s deaths and fear over Nan’s disappearance, all while slowly learning to trust again. Sorosiak (Always, Clementine) illustrates the threats that jeopardize the environment and the power of nature to heal all ills in this touching tale narrated by sharp and witty Shadow. Human characters read as white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Claire Wilson, Rogers, Coleridge & White. (Oct.)