The White Fox Chronicles

Gr 5–8—Life is bleak for Cody Pierce. The year is 2057 and the United States is a war-torn wasteland. The CCR (Confederation of Consolidated Republics) has taken over the country and forced many citizens into prison camps. Cody is a seemingly model prisoner, able to speak the CCR's language and recite their propaganda, while secretly plotting to escape. He flees in the company of a U.S. army pilot who he hopes will help him locate the military base. As he continues to be hunted by the CCR, his renown as a rebel leader, nicknamed the White Fox, grows by the day. Cody has to decide whom to trust as he attempts his greatest rebellion of all—releasing all the children in his prison camp. There is not a lot of character or world development here, but the action is nonstop in Paulsen's fast-paced story (Delacorte, 2000) as Cody finds himself in one precarious situation after another. His narrow escapes begin to stretch credulity, though, as he is conveniently rescued at the last moment many times along his adventure. Hunter Davis's narration brings listeners straight into the action, and he does a nice job of distinguishing between the characters. Reluctant readers and Paulsen fans will not be disappointed.—Elizabeth Elsbree, Krug Elementary School, Aurora, IL