A Game of Fox & Squirrels
by Jenn Reese
Read if you're interested in fantasy, abuse, or books for child.
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8.0
VerdictRecommended
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Book Summary
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows eleven-year-old Josie, who is sent to live with an estranged aunt after her father is arrested for domestic violence. There, she encounters magical talking animals (foxes and squirrels) who offer her wishes, leading her to confront her trauma and learn about the nature of choice, consequences, and personal responsibility.
ALIGNMYREAD RECOMMENDATION
“This book is recommended for Christian readers, especially families and children aged 9-14. It offers a powerful and sensitive exploration of trauma, healing, and personal agency, which can spark important conversations about forgiveness, healthy relationships, and overcoming adversity. While the magic is fantastical, its allegorical use to explore moral choices is valuable. Parents should be prepared to discuss the challenging themes with their children.”
Biblical alignment
- —Addresses themes of domestic violence and child abuse with sensitivity and age-appropriateness, promoting empathy and understanding.
- —Highlights the importance of self-worth and finding one's voice, particularly for children from difficult home environments.
- —Emphasizes the idea of breaking cycles of abuse and finding healthier ways to cope and build relationships.
- —Explores the complexities of forgiveness (both for oneself and others) and the process of healing from trauma.
- —Promotes healthy emotional expression and the seeking of help from trusted adults.
- —The magical elements can be interpreted as representations of internal struggles and the power of choices, aligning with spiritual principles of free will and discernment.
Areas of concern
- —The magical elements, involving talking animals and wish-granting, may not align with a strict biblical worldview that discourages seeking power from non-divine or supernatural sources; however, they are clearly fantastical and used allegorically to explore moral choices.
- —While the book tackles heavy themes, the resolution, while hopeful, is not explicitly framed within a Christian context of redemption or divine grace, though these principles can be inferred by a Christian reader.
- —Some discussions of difficult family dynamics and the father's actions, while handled sensitively, could be disturbing for very young or sensitive readers.
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