• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 7 to 12

Fox Magic is an honest and compelling look at life from the perspective of twelve-year-old Chance Devlin. Two of her friends have committed suicide and as she struggles with her loss, she wonders if following them is the best remedy for her pain. A connection to a mysterious red fox named Janet Johnson helps her come to terms with the past, finding her courage in the power of dreams.

A timely, engaging read that will help open frank discussion with family and friends, at home or in the classroom. Complete with an information package by Tim Claypool Ph.D., R.D. Psych., with current references, and author interview.

A free downloadable teachers guide will be available in November 2017

Beverley Brenna is known for her warm, funny family stories that capture the essence of childhood and champion diversity. Her awards include an international Dolly Gray Award, a Printz Honor Book Award, and a shortlisting for the 2013 Governor General’s Award. Wild Orchid, the title book in a trilogy about a young woman on the Autism Spectrum, is currently listed on CBC’s “100 Young Adult Books That Make You Proud To Be Canadian”. Bev is a professor in Curriculum Studies at the College of Education, University of Saskatchewan, where she teaches English Language Arts subject matter to preservice and inservice teachers. Much of Bev’s writing seeks to fill in gaps in the field of available books, and she considers voices rarely heard in children’s literature. Bev’s many years as a classroom and special education teacher offer her a clear picture of school landscapes, children, and childhood, and the years she spent at home co-parenting three sons continue to inspire new characters and themes.

Beverley Brenna's profile page

Miriam Körner is a writer and illustrator for children and young adults, whose titles have won numerous awards. Her novels and picture book collaborations express her love and concern for the natural world and explore our place within this world. She lives with her ten sled dogs in a small cabin in the boreal forest in Northern Saskatchewan and teaches at the Northern Saskatchewan Indigenous Teacher Education Program. She is a founding member of For Peat’s Sake – Protecting Northern Saskatchewan Muskegs.

Miriam Körner's profile page

"Fox Magic is an emotionally harrowing story. . . The story tackles an incredibly difficult topic with a delicate touch. It is at times quite painful reading, but it is always very honest. . . This is a story that will gently guide those touched by mental illness toward helpful community and individual support options. . . The book's illustrations, from Miriam Korner, are incredibly powerful—simple white-on-black images that stun in their ability to capture the sorrow, fear, and isolation that Chance feels. An afterword by Dr. Tim Claypool lays out some straightforward guidance for anyone struggling with mental health challenges, along with a list websites for further assistance.
"Fox Magic is a small book with a big message. In a world where bullying is a significant problem and suicide is a terrifying reality, it is a must-read. It belongs on every juvenile and young-adult bookshelf.
— Foreword Reviews

"This slim book may prove helpful for young people experiencing depression or similar challenges, demonstrating the importance and benefit of having and drawing on a support system along with getting professional help. The loving presence and behavior of the adults in Chance's life speak volumes, communicating a necessary message of unity. Chance is a white girl, but her Saskatchewan school is a diverse one, and she has several Indigenous classmates in her grade. An author interview, afterword on mental health, and internet resources will surely prove useful.
A book in which purpose and art intertwine successfully. "
— Kirkus Reviews

"A short book told in spare, almost nonchalant prose, Fox Magic tells a story that is both ripped from the headlines and ripe for use in schools and communities in crisis. The barrage of handwritten notes, seemingly directed at everyone in the class, bring to stark light the realities of twenty first century school life, despite the lack of social media or smartphone use. Chance's torture is at once gripping and banal, and although she seems mature for her age, she is obviously still a child, and the details of her see sawing moods and self-deprivation are darkly vivid.
Recommended."
— CM Magazine

"Although this is a book with a deeply tragic and serious subject it's important to say that it's also a fundamentally positive and optimistic book. Brenna writes not from a sensationalist or opportunist motive but because she sees literature and storytelling as essentially therapeutic, offering a chance for us to talk about topics it may be difficult, for one reason or another, to discuss. However, no matter how praiseworthy the motives, a book still has to work as a story that engages and convinces and, I'm delighted to say that Fox Magic is also a triumph in these respects too. . . The book is beautifully and dramatically illustrated by Miriam K�rner with arresting full and double page drawings that perfectly evoke the spirit of the book."
— letterpressproject.co.uk

"This slim novel packs a powerful punch. Brenna has poignantly captured the voice of a broken and lost young girl, and her difficult path to healing is written with clarity and candour. A touch of magic has been woven in, with Brenna leaving it up to the reader to decide if the fox is real or not. Miriam K?rner's evocative black-and-white sketches are effective, clearly expressing the mood of the story."
— Booknews Magazine

"Beverley Brenna has done it again! Fox Magic draws the reader into the inner world of a child survivor of a suicide pact. The story speaks to the power of thinking about our actions and attitudes, and to the transformative power of intentionally creating caring communities around us. Fox Magic will help young readers see the light at the end of whatever dark tunnel they feel trapped by, and its story will remain with them long after they read it."
— Deborah Ellis, internationally acclaimed author of the Breadwinner series