Don’t let the title sway you away from this book, it is absolutely beautifully written, and the photos with each chapter add a whimsical touch that brings the story to life, pun intended.
We join Clare, the fox, as he is living in Deadwood Forest. Well kind of, as Clare isn’t actually living, but he also isn’t dead. Like Clare, Deadwood Forest is in a state of perpetual fall, not quite dead, but not quite living. Clare is the only creature in Deadwood Forest, and his only job is to guide lost souls into their proper afterlife realm, where they will spend eternity. He quite enjoys his job and his quiet, solitary life. However, as All Hallows’ Eve approaches, Clare is given a prophecy that unnerves him. He tries and fails to ignore the sinking feeling it’s giving him. When Gingersnipes, the soul of a yappity badger, shows up at his door and won’t cross over into one of the four afterlife realms, Clare has to make a brave journey to the living side of the forest to figure things out. Along the way, he learns a lot about his own life and his future. This is an incredibly well-written book about moving on, and holding on, while enjoying the small things in life.
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest has already been awarded a Newbery Honor and is on the 2027 Children’s Sequoyah Masterlist. Come by to check out the rest of the Sequoyah selections, along with the 2026 Winners for all categories.
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Reviewed by Tara Anson
