The foxman

Sent away from town to stay on an isolated farm in the wilds, a young boy slowly builds a bond with an aging man whose face and body bear the marks of a severe injury. The old man, who lives close to the land, passes on a great deal of practical knowledge and quiet wisdom over the course of their time together.

Gary Paulsen, who is known for wilderness stories aimed at young readers, wrote this novel for middle-grade audiences. Its focus is on an unlikely friendship between two people who come from very different worlds.