The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest

Recommended for: Level 3 (Ages 11-12)

PREORDER - Available on September 15, 2026 for instant download.

Step into the amber half-light of Deadwood Forest, where the leaves hang in a perpetual fall, with Clare, the undead fox at the heart of Aubrey Hartman's Newbery Honor novel The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest. Long ago he was given the choice to cross into the Afterlife or stay behind as an Usher of wandering souls, and he chose the lonely work of guiding the dead to their final rest, one soul at a time.

Your family will slow down and sink into a story about grief and friendship, the courage to face a hard truth, and a fox and a badger who change each other's destinies. Through gentle, story-led learning, you will explore mushrooms, foxes, forests, and more in a way that feels connected, meaningful, and actually enjoyable to live out at home.

Topics Explored

• Mushrooms
• Foxes
• Forests

What's Inside

Every guide includes curated picture book selections tied to the story's themes, a monthly overview so you can see the full rhythm at a glance, and open-and-go weekly plans with suggested reading schedules, supply lists, activity checklists, and built-in Margin Days for rest, catch-up, or following curiosity wherever it leads. A cozy morning basket section with poetry and nonfiction titles gives your days a gentle, unhurried place to begin.

Watch and Wonder Each week opens with curated videos and podcasts to explore the topic before anything else — plus a Wonderings to Follow space to capture your child's questions as they surface

Watch and Tell Your child watches a short video, then chooses a narration prompt to respond to aloud or in writing. The first prompt is Charlotte Mason-style narration; the second is a Socratic question designed to stretch older learners into critical thinking and discussion. Narration pages in two line sizes and printable notecards are included to support every stage.

The Writer's Desk Each week your child studies a real passage from the book and learns from the author directly:

• Read and Notice — Look closely at punctuation, patterns, and author choices
• Exploring the Craft — Learn a writing technique drawn from the text and try it yourself
• Editor Challenge — For older students, step into the role of editor and catch intentional mistakes
• Copywork — Copy a passage by hand in print, cursive, or freehand

Go Deeper (When You Want To)

• One More Chapter — Optional activities and deeper dives for families who want to keep the curiosity going
• A Taste of the Story — Simple, story-inspired recipes and food ideas to enjoy throughout the month or as part of your celebration

Watch and Reflect Close the month by watching related movie together and talking about what you noticed

Lingering After the Last Chapter A gentle way to reflect and look ahead, including:

• A reading journal page
• A reflection page for your child
• A magazine-style quiz to discover what adventure to explore next

Book Club Party A joyful, low-pressure celebration to mark the end of your adventure and create a memory your family will hold onto

A Compassionate Approach to Homeschooling

This guide was created for real families.

You might follow every page. You might skip around. You might just read together some days.

It all counts.

You are allowed to build a homeschool that works for your actual life, not an ideal one.

Digital product — no physical item will be shipped.

Topics explored may change before official launch.