On Archive .org, when you check this out, you will want to check out the "Pure Magic" title in order to borrow. Star and a half for the illustrations. This was BORING. I was enchanted by it as a kid, and remembered it as so creepy and sad that I only read it a few times. As an adult, there are indeed sad and creepy parts. The ending held a stupid, unrealistic message. This is not a book for children; it just has children in it. A theme like this could have been better explored in a YA format and the book could have been longer too. Everything could have easily been more developed and expanded on. The illustrations are fantastic, though, and the imagery is great. ( )

Interestingly, most of the story is told in 'flashback' and the 'spoiler' is revealed in the very first chapter. That strategy serves to draw the reader in quickly, and then to focus her attention on such themes as what it's like to be were-fox in a mixed family, and how to be wild in a modern rural community even after a hunter moves in. V. nice illustrations, especially of the animals and forest. ( )