*The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty

Magical woods, fairy stories, music, and sacrificial friendship offer Thomas and a stone tiger hope as they walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

*The Song of the Stone Tiger by Glenn McCarty. Bandersnatch Books, 2025. 296 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended For: ages 8-12

The Stone of the Stone Tiger Begins…

Thomas can’t remember where he is when he first wakes up. Oh yeah! They’re in the mountains of North Carolina, staying with his Aunt Cecilia, for summer vacation. The mountains are greener, noisier (birdsong!), and more mysterious than his city home in Philadelphia. And hopefully, this visit to his mom’s girlhood home will help her rest after her battle with cancer.

On that first morning, Thomas soon finds out several things: his mom has to go back to the doctor for more blood work. His dad has to cancel “Dude Day” with Thomas in order to take his mom to the doctor. Thomas is on his own for Dude Day. The mountains are calling, and he must go. (Well, to be honest, he does not want to enter the grim forest known as Canaan Woods that first day. They’re a little scary. He’s going to stick to the yard for scouting and perhaps explore the woods another day.)

Thomas isn’t the first accidental adventurer, and when he finds himself in the Canaan Woods, almost by accident, he bravely ventures forward. Mentally calling the big oaks at the edge “Sentinel Trees,” he pushes through, past a willow (that makes him feel funny), and on into a big clearing. That first night, he tells his mom all about it, and she, in turn, describes the adventures she and Aunt Cecilia had in those same woods. Turns out, the girls called the trees Sentinel Trees, too! And the entire forest Greenwood, just like Thomas had decided on. Was there more to the Canaan Woods than just their imagination? Could the strange things they found in there be real?

The Song of the Stone Tiger: Does It Work?

The Song of the Stone Tiger mixes fairy stories (told by Thomas’s mom and Thomas himself), the power of music, and an unlikely friendship to create a magical adventure story that will remind readers of the Narnia Chronicles (especially The Magician’s Nephew) and some of Grace Lin’s works (like Where the Mountain Meets the Moon). Thomas is struggling with his mom’s cancer relapse and finds hope, real hope, in the mountains even as he strives to offer hope to another suffering creature who is also staring death in the face. But the story isn’t a dark one, or even a sad one. Humor and antics season the tale, and readers will enjoy the stories of Burpnurple and Lorelai almost as much as they enjoy the story of Thomas and his family and friends.

Although not overtly Christian, clear Christian themes and references abound in this quick read. The ending is open enough that readers don’t know Thomas’s mom’s future, but we know there is hope and that hope comes from Living Water.

Considerations: none

Bottom Line: A beautiful story that will make a great family read aloud.

*indicates a starred review, a best of the best in its field

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• Reviews: Readers who enjoy books like this will also enjoy The Green Ember series and the Wingfeather Saga.
• Review: Glenn McCarty is also the author of the fun Tumbleweed Thompson books.
• Reviews: Other fun family read alouds include My Father’s Dragon, Pippa and the Singing Tree (picture book but a great connection!), and Bob.

You may purchase The Song of the Stone Tiger from Amazon

As with many of the books we review, we received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair, unbiased review.