Pax

Pax is a wonderful book that can be appreciated by readers of all ages. The themes are universal and the story is told poignantly. The writing draws the reader in and evokes deep emotions for each of the characters. The book speaks to friendship, loyalty, family, love. I highly recommend this jewel of a novel.

Although the writing is quite good, the setting is strange, confuses the reader. Peter and his reclusive friend in the woods are drawn beautifully, and Pax is also developed well, although his obsessive pining for "his boy" seems a little contrived. My biggest problem with this book is the creeping conviction that it was written as an anti-war statement first, a boy's loss of his best friend, second. The "war" is never explained and really has little to do with the basic story yet the author brings it up, with all of its horrors, too often and, at least for me, dilutes the honest depth of the story's true message of love and sacrifice.

I heard this book reviewed on NPR and sent it to my granddaughter the next day. At 13 she was at the top end of the age group for whom the book was recommended but it sounded like something she'd love. She did. She devoured the book in about two days and told me she plans to give it to her Language Arts teacher to borrow because she thinks her teacher would love it too!!

I first learned about Ms. Pennypacker's book after hearing her interviewed on NPR. Her research allowed for an authenticity that is visceral throughout the book. It gives way to a beautiful message. The alternating chapters' protagonists create the building tension and anticipation. It is a believable story of a young boy and his pet fox that is rich in emotion and adventure. I highly recommend this book.

My 5th grader couldn't put this book down. She says, "it's absolutely fascinating!" It does have some deeper content, but it's presented tastefully and in creates thought provoking discussions. Here is her review of the book:
I thought the book was astounding! I would read a chapter a day! It has adventure, twist and suspense. I am doing a sculpture and a essay on the book. The only thing I suggest is that there needs to be a sequel. ❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️

This was a very sad story with an enlightening ending. It is designed as a children's book, but it does have some rather gruesome descriptions and all-too-real life scenarios just as a forewarning. The characters are very sympathetic and it is a fast read. Reminds me of The Long Journey - just with a wild animal instead.

A deeply thoughtful novel about a boy and his fox, artfully told from alternating perspectives. Deftly deals with the topics of war and violence in ways that are age-appropriate and meaningful. A great novel for that age when children's novels are becoming too childish, and will especially appeal to boys in the 10-14 age range.

Pax and Peter were teachers to each other, and to the reader. The merging of their spirits underlined the eternal connection of mankind to Mother Earth and her creatures. Vola was one who still harbored that brand of freedom. Peter exonerated her of harsh self- judgment as she gifted him with physical and emotional healing.. Peter was able to redefine his relationship to his father and to Pax. This reader's tears were cleansing and sacred.

I chose this rating because I liked this book a whole lot.
I didn't like that when Peter found Pax that Pax had to leave Peter and stay with Bristle and Runt.
I would recommend this book to my friends because usually we like the same things.??

Enjoyed this book very much but it ended before I was ready for it to end. That doesn't detract from the book but it left me hanging even though I understand why. It was a happy ending but, I guess, I just like even happier endings. Read the book --- it's a good one.

I enjoyed reading this book because it contains all the elements I like to read. A story about the bond between a fox and a boy. How the boy grows up when faced with tragedy. The compassion he learns from a women who teaches him and heals him. A good story with a beautiful message. Thank you Sara.

I read this book in preparation to discuss it with my 10-year old daughter for her book club. I honestly loved the book. It was written with love and an appreciation for this earth and the creatures that roam it. A great book for a boy who may be a reluctant reader and loves nature.

An absolutely wonderful book. Well written and illustrated. I learned a lot about foxes.
In terms of style, I liken it to John Grisham's "The Pained House" although completely different stories.
I am still thinking about the lessons of the book a month later. Thank you Sara Pennypacker for writing such an excellent book for young adults and older folks!

Very interesting insight into the consciousness of the creatures that share this planet with us. Although it was a very sad story to read at some points, (concerning ~ not just the trials & tribulations of the boy & the fox ~ but the fragility of the Earth & its inhabitants) I ultimately found a message of Hope & Peace (Pax). Excellent reading for youths & adults!

The best audio book ever !!! The story is wonderful and the readers voice is so compelling, that I couldn't stop listening until it was done. I believe this book will be made into a movie for the big screen. I loved it. Best book ever !!!

Despite a nice relationship between fox and boy, the aspects of severe bodily harm to important characters, betrayal of child by parent, and explosive dismemberment of animals make this book inappropriate for non- adults.

An absolutely wonderful book. Well written and illustrated. I learned a lot about foxes.
In terms of style, I liken it to John Grisham's "The Pained House" although completely different stories.
I am still thinking about the lessons of the book a month later. Thank you Sara Pennypacker for writing such an excellent book for young adults and older folks!

Very interesting insight into the consciousness of the creatures that share this planet with us. Although it was a very sad story to read at some points, (concerning ~ not just the trials & tribulations of the boy & the fox ~ but the fragility of the Earth & its inhabitants) I ultimately found a message of Hope & Peace (Pax). Excellent reading for youths & adults!

The best audio book ever !!! The story is wonderful and the readers voice is so compelling, that I couldn't stop listening until it was done. I believe this book will be made into a movie for the big screen. I loved it. Best book ever !!!

Despite a nice relationship between fox and boy, the aspects of severe bodily harm to important characters, betrayal of child by parent, and explosive dismemberment of animals make this book inappropriate for non- adults.

I am a big fan of literature for young people, which can offer as much complexity and enjoyment as that meant specifically for adults. Here, while I admire the lengths Pennypacker went to in order to capture an authentic account of both Pax and "his boy" Peter's efforts to reunite, I was made uneasy by a central aspect of the book--its setting.

The story takes place during a nameless war, perhaps to square itself within the "new realism" genre. In this choice, Pennypacker offers a view of humans that is sometimes simplistic and heavy-handed ("You humans. You ruin everything"). We humans have indeed reaped what we have sown--an environment that largely deserts respect for the natural world--yet humans are much more than violent and destructive creatures. When a book sweeps me away I'll read it from cover-to-cover, yet I often felt reluctant to pick up Pax again because it felt more like an agenda.

That being said, there were aspects of Pax I found beautiful, such as the imagination it took to render a wild being both through its behaviors and inner life (I'm a wildlife biologist). The scenes dealing with the evolution of the relationship between Peter and Vola, and Peter's grief, were also genuine and heartbreaking: "My mother loved that. She said it [the story of the phoenix] meant that no matter how bad things got, we could always make ourselves new again". The illustrations by Jon Klassen are lovely additions to the text.

I do not know how or why this book got published. Set in an obscure "war" setting which makes the book unbalanced. The dialogue is choppy and is not written in complete phrases leaving children confused as to what was said. As I read it aloud I just corrected the dialogue as I went. I and my child were very disappointed in this book do not waste your time or money on it.

I just received the book "Pax". I have the same issue with other reviewers that the paper is cut poorly. The poor quality cutting disturbs the enjoyment of reading this book although this is not the author's fault.

I bet the comparison to Charlotte's Web left you skeptical, right? But no, it's actually really that good.

I couldn't stop reading this book and I was so nervous during Pax's chapters. (I was very worried that he would get hurt or killed, and I can deal with the death of fictional people so much easier than I can deal with the death of fictional animals.)

I won't tell you how many times I cried during this book or how long it took me to stop crying at the end, but it's all so worth it. Get this book and share it with everyone you know.

Highly recommended.

Only got through half of this book with my class. It was too slow. We finally got so bored that we skipped to the end just so we could start a different book. My teaching partner didn't get through it either.

Twelve year old Peter lives with his rather stern and distant father who always seems mad and on the verge of blowing up. The boy’s mother had died, but he has a pet fox which he named Pax and had raised from a kit. Peter and Pax are inseparable friends. However, war is coming. Peter’s father volunteers for service, and, besides, the area where they live will be evacuated, so Peter must go and stay with his grandfather some three-hundred miles away. While on the road, they stop and Peter’s father demands that his son let the fox return to the wild. So Peter tosses the toy soldier which is Pax’s favorite toy as far as he can throw it, and while the fox is off chasing it, the two get into the car and speed off, leaving Pax alone in the wilderness.

However, after Peter gets to his grandfather’s house, he decides that leaving Pax like that was wrong and runs away to find him. On the way, he trips and breaks his foot. An elderly woman named Vola finds him, takes him in, and cares for him. She had been a medic in a previous war, killed a man, and, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, now lives as a hermit. What will happen to Pax in the wild? Will Peter ever be able to locate him? And what will happen when war comes to the area? I first heard about this book on National Public Radio, and it sounded good, so I ordered it. Sara Pennypacker is said to the “bestselling and award-winning author” of the “Clementine” series. I have never read any of those, but I did read her Summer of the Gypsy Moths and gave it only a fair rating because of a rather bizarre, almost morbid, plot. Pax has little that is overtly objectionable. Peter is said to curse or swear on a few occasions, though no actual curse or swear words are used. Vola utters the term “Lord” a couple of times as an exclamation, and there are some childish slang terms. Also there is a touch of Buddhist theology thrown in.

The setting is a little odd. Some of it sounds definitely like the U. S.—Peter plays baseball, and Vola is part Creole and part Italian, but some of it sounds more like war torn Europe. The School Library Journal says that it is “Set in an intentionally undefined time and place that could very well be a near-future America.” The chapters alternate between the boy and the fox, which may be a bit confusing to some readers. However, my main concern is that the book feels as if it has an agenda with what someone called a “simplistic and heavy-handed” theme of “You humans. You ruin everything…” (p. 54), and a rather blatant “war is evil” message. Some people might question a supposed children’s book that has numerous serious wounds, ghastly deaths, and other such traumatizing events. If one can get past all this baggage, there is an interesting story here, although it moves along somewhat slowly at times. My bottom line is that Pax, too, is only fair.s

Spoilers!! I read this book in advance of purchasing it for my fourth grade nephew. I'm glad I did because I wouldn't be comfortable at all giving it to him. The child's mother is deceased, father is abusive. The book's hero is a war veteran who has PTSD and a prosthetic leg, and she suffers from guilt for having killed a man in war. While the main character (Pax) does not die in the book, one fox does die and another is dismembered. It is a beautifully written story worth telling about loyalty and the price of war but I want to warn parents that there should be a fair bit of discussion involved with this book. Lastly, it has a rather unsatisfactory ending after the fox has been desperate to find/be found. The boy sees the relationship Pax has with his fox friends and tells him to go away with them and he tricks him into leaving again, assuming its what's best.

Pre-reading Thoughts:

I have heard quite a bit about this book. People say that it is brilliant and heartwarming, but I have also from people who I trust that this isn't worth all of the hype. So I am a bit worried but I guess we will see with time what I come to! I requested this book, knowing that it was going to be a bit sad and knowing that it was middle grade. But I love foxes so I couldn't really not request it. I am interested to see what story will be told!

As always, thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers who feed my craving for books! Just a small disclaimer for those who are reading this review. I have received it for free in exchange for an honest review. No money on my behalf has been spent in receiving this book. Please note that this in no way affects my opinion. All thoughts are my own.

Writing Thoughts:

The story is told from two perspectives. Which you should be wary of if you do not enjoy multiple perspectives. The author is quite descriptive and tends to love her adjectives in this book. I think it really helps the target audience to envision the surroundings of the characters. This book is directed towards a middle grade audience and it is clear that the author had that in mind. The writing is simplistic and easy to read.

Plot Thoughts:

The perspective of the fox and the perspective of the boy. I often preferred the perspective of the fox. There just seemed to be a lot more emotion when it came to the foxes story. There also seemed to be a lot more happening with the fox than the young boy. This lead to me anticipating the perspective of the fox and me rushing through the boy's perspective. But overall, the story was heartfelt and really great to read. It definitely contains some underlying messages of what is good and what is wrong. The ending, however, was a little underwhelming.

Character Thoughts:

I thought this characters where so cute. They were so dedicated to one another and what I believe to be well rounded considering that they were uncomplicated characters. They learnt things about themselves because of their time apart and seemed to grow from it.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this story was what I expected it to be as well as not what I expected it to be. There were some moments that I will always treasure in this book. I also thought that the representation and illustrations of the characters where well done. It was clear to see that this was a middle grade story because of the way in which the author wrote but it did not hinder on the story. I highly recommend this book to fellow fox lovers because they are so cute! A huge thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book to review. I enjoyed myself a lot!

Yours in Reading,

Melleny

"The scent is my boy's. Have you seen him? Pax shared the most important features of his human--the naked round ears; the towering legs, so improbably long that Pax always feared he would topple over when he ran; the black curled hair that grew to different lengths, then became short again."

-Pax, by Sara Pennypacker. Illustrated by John Klassen.

I've loved John Klassen's illustrations ever since reading I Want My Hat Back a few years ago, and I bought Pax immediately when I saw that he was the illustrator. Pax is a children's chapter book, and tells the story of a boy named Peter and his pet fox, Pax, who become separated while the humans around them prepare for war. The story alternates viewpoints as Pax and Peter find allies and avoid capture in their quest to reunite. Pax's narration reminded me of nature writer Jean Craighead George's incredible book Julie's Wolf Pack (Julie Series), which was told from the point of view of wolves. Pax's story is likewise a fascinating blend of zoology and imagination, with many words extemporized from the flash of a tail or a lift of a paw, and a little ESP thrown in.

Peter, meanwhile, runs away in an attempt to find Pax, a choice that strikes deep with any child whose values have been brushed aside in the name of family practicality. He has to come to terms with his grief for his dead mother and his fear of becoming like his father before he can find his own identity and have his coming-of-age moment in the spotlight.

The setting, which feels very much like an American midwest on the verge of foreign invasion, is unnerving and dystopian, and serves as a strange, somewhat forced backdrop for a story set firmly in the boy-and-his-dog genre. The author seems to be reaching for a profound statement about the difference between humans and animals, or perhaps about the similarities between children and animals, but she doesn't quite get there. This book had none of the resonating sadness of others of its kind (Where the Red Fern Grows, for example), and less of the page-turning adventure, too. Peter spends a long portion of the middle of the book trapped indoors learning valuable lessons, while Pax wanders in circles trying to figure out how to eat. There is none of the boy v. nature struggle that made Hatchet (Brian's Saga Book 1) and My Side of the Mountain (Puffin Modern Classics) riveting, and the only reason I can think of why Pax would be a fox instead of a dog is so he doesn't have to die at the end as is traditional (or because foxes are trendy and will sell novels). One feels like the war, too, was just dropped in to give the book some intensity and moral depth, but it wasn't really necessary to the essential story. I think she could have cut this down to a picture-book length and had a good story, but in chapter-book form it needed a bit more happening.

Peter rescued Pax when he was a kit. Pax didn't have any family left and Peter took him in. Pax sees peter as his boy and thinks Peter would never betray him. However, the war breaks out, so Peter's father enlists and has to leave his son behind. Peter's grandfather will take him in, but he doesn't want him to bring Pax. Peter is forced to leave his friend behind. Peter regrets abandoning Pax, especially since the fox has no wilderness skills. He decides to go back for him, even if this means covering a large distance by foot and entering a war zone. Will they be reunited?

Pax is a beautiful emotional story about a close friendship between a boy and a fox. Peter and Pax love each other and Peter will do anything to get his animal back. I had respect for his determination and his willingness to go far to make sure Pax is okay. Peter doesn't know if he'll survive and all he wants is to return to where he left Pax as quickly as he can. I had tears in my eyes when I read about his journey. It's moving and eventful. Peter struggles, but he perseveres. I admired that and couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out if he'd find his friend or if Pax would be lost to him forever.

Pax loves his human friend and his loyalty is unconditional. He doesn't know how to survive on his own, but he isn't the only fox out there. However, there's a war nearby and this makes staying unharmed even more difficult. It was amazing to find out more about this special animal and I enjoyed reading about Pax's adventures. I loved that Sara Pennypacker makes it obvious that he's an animal, while giving him an almost human personality at the same time. That's something that requires a lot of skill and careful thinking.

Sara Pennypacker's writing has a gorgeous flow. Her main characters are interesting and being able to see the world through both Peter and Pax's eyes was fantastic. Seeing war from the perspective of a child and an animal greatly impressed me, Sara Pennypacker expertly describes what it makes them see and feel. She's an excellent storyteller and it's clear she cares about her characters, she writes about them with love and admiration. Pax is a wonderful story with a surprising ending. It's a fantastic emotional story with a terrific bittersweet plot.

I bought this book in hardcover at a school book fair. I'd heard a ton of buzz about this book and all the awards it had one. It was good, but fell a little short of all the hype in my opinion. Pax is a middle grade novel recommended for ages 10-14 by the publisher. The story is set in an indistinct time and place (though I assumed it was America due to the baseball references). All we know starting out is that there is a war brewing. We don't know who are the "good guys" and who are the "bad guys" and honestly that seems to be the point the author is trying to make. In fact, Vola (a wounded veteran from a previous war) asks the MC Peter, “Do you think anyone in the history of this world ever set out to fight for the wrong side?”

Peter is twelve, his mother is dead and his father is emotionally unavailable with anger issues. His dad signs up to fight in the war and Peter is sent to live with his equally anger prone and emotionally zipped up grandfather. On the way to deliver Peter to his grandfather, Peter's dad insists that his son's pet fox be dumped by the roadside. He can't risk having him underfoot at his father's place. To Peter's credit, he is heartbroken to abandon his pet (he rescued Pax as a tiny kit) but does it anyway--unable to bring himself to defy his father and ignite his temper.

The book alternates between the Points of View of the boy and the fox. There are some scenes depicting violence that cause death and injury to some animals. Some of the scenes in the novel seemed too contrived to be believable. I enjoyed the perspective of Pax (which means Peace in Latin) especially, as it brought back memories of one of my favorite childhood films, The Fox and the Hound. The author's note at the end describes Ms. Pennypacker's research with wildlife biologists to get aspects of fox behavior correct.

Overall, it was a good read. For a short book, it packs a big punch.

Pax is a classic story of a boy and his animal companion who must part ways. The twist is this parting comes at the beginning of the story and is not satisfactory to either character, for they are, as one character later puts it, “two but not two” with a tenacious devotion to one another. The story that unfolds, in a stimulating and reassuring alternating chapters format, entails the dual story of each character growing in his own “alienated” environment to become more himself, more fox-more human. In each case it is a strong female character who teaches Pax, the fox, and Peter, the twelve-year-old boy, to dig deep into his own nature, with a mixture of wisdom and wildness—to remember himself. The story takes place during an unidentified time of war, and the reader becomes familiar with some of the “war sickness’ as the vixen, Bristle, calls it. This lends a reality to the plight of animals in nature as man’s misguided wildness leads to violence, and creates a nice juxtaposition to the new freedoms in the wild, the formerly domesticated Pax finds exhilarating. Overall it is a story about heroism, commitment, and love, and finding one’s own place in the world.

It is also a book about healing; the tender Pax’s healing presence in motherless Peter’s life and in his new fox family’s life; the mutual healing between Peter and the reclusive ex-soldier Vola, who aids him in refinding Pax; and Peter’s healing of himself. There are many valuable lessons in this wonderful middle grade novel (probably better suited to twelve years and up) that make this an entertaining, though poignant, read for adults as well.

This book really pulled at my heartstrings! I was 100% committed to the plot from the start & the entire story was so beautifully put together. The different layers to all the different characters - animals included - was stunning & they all make you think about war in different ways. A sequel would be amazing, but the ending to Pax holds its own beauty anyway.

Reviews for this book are now ubiquitous, with the word "Newbery" coming up more than once. I read Pax earlier this year, and it keeps haunting me. Part Hansel & Gretel, part Baba Yaga, part Call of the Wild, part Incredible Journey, this coming-of-age story alternates chapters between the boy, Peter, and his fox, Pax. Peter's father forces Peter to turn Pax out into the woods and leave him. Peter is then taken far away to stay with his grandfather while his father goes off to war. Pax has not lived on his own before and has a lot to learn, but is helped by other fox. He desperately misses Peter, and actually comes upon Peter's father in a military camp. We see Pax mature, learn to survive and live among his own kind, even as the war gets closer and more violence occurs. Meanwhile, Peter identifies where he left Pax on a map at his grandfather's and he leaves in the dead of night in search of Pax. Early on, he injures his foot. Fortunately, he stumbles upon a cabin inhabited by a woman who was a military medic. I thought this would be a "wise woman of the woods teaches boy survival," and she does, but --Peter is an active participant in changing the woman's life, too. No spoilers, sorry, except to say that the ending is satisfying.

This was well written. I didn't really understand the time period or what ultimately was going on in regards to some war that was taking place. My sons also didn't understand that. If I am confused, of course they are confused.

Besides that part, the whole book was really cool. Pax is a fox and Peter is a boy who raised him since he was a kit. The story goes back and forth between Pax's perspective and Peter's perspective. They get separated at one point and can't stop thinking of one another. Peter makes it his mission to find him, but in doing so, he runs away to the woods, which is not really something good for kids to do. It led to good discussion about why you shouldn't run away though.

Pax meets some other foxes but he reeks of human scent.

Along the way you realize a bit of what is happening in the outside world, but not enough to tell me what this whole war thing was about. It is an anti-war book, which I actually like because it shows that all wars have people fighting for the side they believe is right, when all that is happening is heartache.

I have a soft spot for books about animals, and a book about the bond between a boy and his pet fox seemed like a delightful read. I wasn't expecting to pick this novel up and find a surprisingly complicated and emotional book about war, grief, anger, and finding the strength to heal oneself after trauma. And normally I would roll my eyes at a book that tries to grapple so many tough issues in one go -- too often an author tries to cover too many "messages" in one shot and ends up crushing their story under the weight of said messages. But "Pax" manages to handle its multiple issues deftly, never feeling preachy or overloaded with its issues, and the masterful writing and sympathetic characters carry the story well and make this a must-read for kids and adults alike.

The titular Pax is a red fox, orphaned as a kit and raised by Peter, a boy who lost his own mother in an accident and feels a distance between himself and his military father. When war breaks out and Peter's father enlists, Peter is sent to live with his grandfather, but his father forces him to release Pax into the woods before dropping him off at his grandfather's house. Peter immediately regrets abandoning his longtime friend, and he sets off on a journey to be reunited with his fox... until an accident lands him in the care of Vola, a grouchy but kindhearted hermit who has much to teach Peter (and perhaps something to learn as well). Pax, meanwhile, waits faithfully for his boy to return... but when war strikes the woods and threatens his fellow foxes, he realizes there's more to his future than he realized...

This is the first book by Sara Pennypacker I've read, and it's certainly a high note to start on. Her writing style is thoughtful and beautiful, deftly weaving the intertwined stories of Pax and Peter. It also carefully weaves in allusions to past and current events, making certain elements clear without spelling them out in detail or talking down to the reader. And as I stated before, she's able to juggle several different issues in this story without sounding preachy or letting them interfere with the plot. That takes real talent.

The time period of the story is never quite specified -- it takes place during a war on American soil, which means it's not any conflict in our recent history, but most of the trappings of the story feel like they come from the 20th century. There's also no mention of modern devices (Peter's misadventures could have been made much easier to bear had he had an iPhone), which one might think would come into play in a story of this type. The best I can place it is in some sort of alternate timeline, an alternate history where some war or other reached American soil, or perhaps another civil war between various factions of the US. There's a single throwaway line about the war being over water, but this is never elaborated on -- the war itself isn't the focus of the story, but rather the ramifications and effects of war upon our world and upon the creatures that live in it.

A word of warning -- being a war book, this book does feature death and injury. Thankfully said deaths and injuries aren't overly graphic, and are never featured in the book's illustrations. They make it clear, however, that war is dangerous, even to those not actively fighting... and that innocents are all too often caught in the crossfire.

As for the illustrations themselves... I feel they were superfluous to the book, and not exactly necessary. They're nicely done, however, in a cut-paper style that would make a lovely children's book. (Seeing as the illustrator has a few picture books to his name, apparently that's not a far-fetched observation in the least...)

A moving and powerful novel about war, loss, and dealing with one's anger and grief, "Pax" is a must-read for kids and adults alike. I can easily see it becoming required reading in schools, or at the very least a classic along the lines of "Bridge to Terabithia" or "The Outsiders." Best for kids age 8 and up.

A heartbreakingly lovely depiction of life during wartime, as it impacts the lives and relationship of a 12 year-old boy, Peter, and his beloved pet fox, Pax. Told in alternating points of view in Peter's and Pax's voices, the love between Pax and his boy is a palpable, visceral thing. Through danger, disappointment, the devastation of war, loss, grief, kindness, loyalty, hope and courage, Pax and Peter try to get back to each other after a tear-jerking separation initiated by Peter's dad, who insists Peter release Pax (who's been totally domesticated since Peter rescued him from death when he was a newborn pup) into the wild because dad is going to serve in the war and is taking Peter to stay with his grandfather.

There are heavy moral messages regarding war, parenting, and humanity's best and worst behaviors. The story does not indicate timing or identify the sides between which war is being waged. Although the narration expresses the story's ethical and moral treatments through the eyes of a child and a naïve, innocent animal, these are delivered with detail which is sometimes editorial and feels heavy, despite the fact that most people would likely agree with the messages being preached. Occasionally the moralizing feels a bit too sophisticated for the young narrative voices, but more often, Ms. Pennypacker's wordsmithing is profound and memorable, as we hear the foxes discuss the "war-sick" humans and the "lie scent" which they unhappily detect in some humans, and when Peter talks of the difficult effort to "shrink words" in order to make them fit the description of overwhelmingly painful feelings, such as his loss at the death of his mom.

The most impactful tone of the story is presented in the breathtaking beauty and truth of Pax and Peter's relationship, and this beauty makes the read outstanding. The ending is authentic and can't help but leave the reader with a lump in one's throat and the threat of tears. It's open-ended enough to give hope to the tender reader who looks for a traditional HEA (despite my age, I do!), yet it is true to what is right and best for boy and his fox. The last chapter, under eight minutes of narration in the audio version of the book, is so close to perfection, every word so thoughtfully written and so emotionally impactful, that I will undoubtedly never forget PAX. This book is a heartbreakingly beautiful story about the things that give our lives their truest meaning.

The audiobook edition of PAX, narrated by the excellent Michael Curran-Dorsano, is a 5-star listen. Curran-Dorsano's narration imbues both Peter and Pax with pitch-perfect pathos, emotional investment in every line. Frankly, his ability to read with the heart of a young fox and again with the soul of a young boy is a wonderfully gratifying surprise.

I was given a complimentary copy of PAX by HarperCollins in exchange for my honest review.

This review was first posted to Lazy Day Literature

When war comes to Peter's country, his dad makes him take his pet fox, Pax, out to the woods and abandon him before moving 200 miles away to his grandfather's. Once there, his dad goes off to war and leaves Peter to feel miserable about what he's done. So miserable he can't live with it. So he sets off to get Pax back but is waylaid along the way. Meanwhile, Pax, who waits for his boy to return for him, slowly learns to live in the wild, makes friends, and teeters on the edge of the war-sick world.

My first thoughts going into this was how much it reminded me of the movies 'The Fox and the Hound' and 'Homeward Bound' (based off the book, The Incredible Journey). While it starts out very much like both, it doesn't end like either. To explain why I am reminded of these, we start out with Peter being forced to leave his pet fox behind which totally reminds me of The Fox and Hound' and then there is a magnificent journey that very much reminds me of 'Homeward Bound / The Incredible Journey' in a way, though it is very different. Peter sets out to find his fox instead of the other way around.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, human and animal alike. Peter was a very determined boy set on righting his wrongs and making sure his fox was alright. He was a little stubborn but that really endeared me to him. Zola was pretty essential to Peter's growth as a character. She always had some bit of wisdom to bestow upon the boy and I enjoyed reading about how they changed each other's perspectives and opinions on many things. The character development went both ways and really, Zola was as much a main character in this book as Peter or Pax.

On the other hand, reading the alternating chapters from Pax's point of view really gave me a better look at how being thrust into the wild after being raised in captivity affects an animal. This perspective also gave us more information on the war, as well as Peter's father.

I did hear that this is a heartbreaking story before going into it and I'm really not sure why. It really had me expecting the worst. Luckily, there was no real need to worry. There are a few moments that you would expect from a war-ridden land, and they are a little sad, but not really worthy of too many tears. I supposed maybe I'm not being emotional enough since I've been seeing reviews saying it brought tears to some, but really, this is not a story that you will need tissues for. At least not in my opinion. It doesn't have the happiest ending but it isn't all that bad either.

Overall, I think this is a well written coming-of-age story with some great messages that would be enjoyed at any age.

This is a gem! Don’t let the cover deceive you, for this is a story for all ages to read. From the first chapter, this novel pulled at my heart strings and I knew it would be one that I will be passing on to others. I believe that Pax will soon find itself among those stories that everyone will call their favorite, those stories that we all recall on instinct. There is a connection between a boy and a fox in this story and as I read, I reminisced about reading these types of stories as a child. I would read these stories over and over again for there is something special about these bonds, and reading Pax, I felt this same way, for these types of stories will never leave you. They make their mark on your heart and stay with you forever. Pax will be like Benji, like Charlotte’s Web, and Shiloh, just to name a few, books that leave you with an impression and a book that you will want to read over and over again. Inside these books, you find comfort, excitement and a message that fills you like no other. As I looked back through the novel, I realized the author used many adjectives to describe the world around me. I didn’t realize this as I was reading for I was submerged inside Pax and Peter world and nothing else mattered. Jon provided a few sketched illustrations throughout the novel and for younger children, I believe these illustrations would be helpful but for me, Sara’s words alone had casted a wonderful picture for me to draw upon. This was a brilliant, exhilarating story that I truly enjoyed!

He licks his salty tears; he’s there to comfort him but why he is crying he is not sure. The angry voice comes again from the father and the begging voice suddenly appears from the boy. The car stops suddenly and they all step out onto the grass. The boy has the old plastic soldier; it is the fox’s favorite toy and he believes they are going to play his favorite game. As the fox retrieves the soldier, hunting it down after the boy threw it, the fox hears the car doors slam and the humans drive away. The distant sound of “Peter!” and “Pax” is what the fox hears as he tries to grasp what just occurred. After reading this, I knew there was no turning back, my morning was devoted to Peter and Pax. What!?! Why were they being separated? So much is happening now is Peter’s life. He’s being dropped off at his grandfather’s now, his father is headed off to war and he just lost his Pax. Peter is dreading the decision his father made to leave Pax out in the woods. Pax was only a few weeks old when Peter rescued him as a kit and he is scared of what might happen to Pax as he tries to fend for himself out in woods. Peter misses Pax immensely. He knows what he must do. He begins packing for Peter believes it will take him one week to trek the 300 mile to locate him. With alternating viewpoints, we hear as Peter begins walking to the place where they dropped Pax off, just hoping Pax stayed there and is waiting for them. Peter is anxious, worried and in a hurry. As he hurries along, he hurts his foot and his trip is delayed. Pax, himself is experiencing a whole new world, with new smells, different creatures and a broader sense of the world which could lead him into greater danger and newer opportunity. Pax is used to being waited on by Peter and now he must fend for himself. Finding food and water, coexisting with other animals including wolves and foxes, Pax must learn the way of the wild. Separated, their thoughts are of each other but they must each continue to live their own life and survive in the hopes of one day, they can be reunited and live to tell of the journey that they had, that brought them back together.

Parents should read this book to/with their children. I recommend it often to my 4th and 5th grade library patrons and think that students through the 8th grade will enjoy this gut-wrenching story. From the very beginning Pennypacker grabs readers' attention as Peter says goodbye to his tough father, who is heading off to war, and to the fox that he has raised and loved for 5 years. Surely even the hardest heart will break as Pax waits for his beloved and trusted Peter to retrieve him from where he was left...but Peter doesn't! The story is told from the perspective of Pax as he searches for Peter and tries to learn the ways of the wild and the destruction of man and of Peter as he learns the same lessons. Those lessons are embedded in a well-told story that will stay with readers, both young and old, for a long time.

I'm an elementary librarian and therefore read dozens and dozens of children's books every year. It's not often I leave reviews for them simply due to the time it would require. But this book...oh, it will stick with me for some time and I simply must leave my approval.

I started and finished the book tonight, and I was teary-eyed during chapter one and bawling by the end. I feel emotionally drained but in a meaningful way...if that makes sense to others reading this. I deeply love and respect animals to begin with (a vegan, the whole nine yards), but the author's talent and style made me feel even more connected to the fox characters. I simply couldn't stop reading.

There are so many reasons I will now treasure this book. I do believe it would be most enjoyed by older children, teens, and even adults. I bought it for my K-5 library but honestly don't believe I teach many fifth graders who would fully appreciate it.

In all honesty, it took me a while to really connect with this book. I read about 60 pages the first day and was thinking, "Hmm. Maybe a 3 or 4 star book." I mean it was okay, but I wasn't really connecting with the Peter, the 12 year old main character. I loved Pax immediately, but that's not surprising as an animal lover. As the story progressed and Peter sets out to correct his mistake (abandoning his pet) and meets another lost soul in need, I finally started connecting with him. By the end of the book, I was sobbing (admittedly during Pax's story). A beautiful tale. Some reviewers complain about the moral of the story, that we all need to really understand more about the costs of war. It's more than people. It's more than land. It really costs so much more. I think that is an important thing for everyone to acknowledge. While the story is a sad one, I think the message it conveys is an important one.

What are the true costs of war? This is the question Sara Pennypacker poses as she takes us on the journey of a young boy who is separated from his pet fox due to the coming war. Their commitment to each other and ensuing struggle to reunite brings both boy and fox on separate paths of self-discovery and understanding about the nature of love, loss and ultimately redemption through forgiveness, particularly self-forgiveness.

The true magic of Pax, which translates as Peace in Latin, comes from Pennypacker’s use of the fox as a main character and her time spent researching the behavior and language of these magnificent animals prior to writing. Her obvious love of foxes, and her ability to capture the syntax and rhythm of fox language, lends to their transformation into personified characters who, like the human boy and the isolated veteran he encounters, are innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. War transforms both man and nature, each bearing scars that will never fully heal. As such, the empathy and avenues of emotional bonding to the characters that we develop could not have been accomplished using the comfort of man’s best friend. It is precisely because the boy/fox relationship is unnatural that we as readers become more aware and engaged in wanting to see them through to the end.

Interestingly enough, we are never told where the war is taking place. It is just part of the background. However, there are clues that leave us to assume it is here in the United States in the not too distant future. In addition, there is an indirect reference that the war is over access to water, which given the current course of events, gives Pax a sense of realism that is quite unsettling.

Overall, Pax is a fantastic family book. I read it out-loud to my sons before bed each night. Through the alternating chapter format of boy and fox, Pennypacker keeps the pace of the story brisk and ties both boy and fox together as each struggle with their newly formed identities. While there are a few plot-holes they are minor and don’t detract from the overall narrative.

Through the heartbreaking experiences and ultimate triumphs that take place, Pax offers ample opportunity for families to engage with each other and talk about serious issues in a constructive and thoughtful manner. And unlike war, the cost of a family conversation is free.

PAX is the type of book I would have stayed away from as a young reader. My 4th grade teacher read WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS to my class and it almost turned me away from reading. It ruined animal books for me. My family did not have any pets and looking back, I wonder if part of the reason was because we were a sensitive bunch, and hated the thought of losing them someday. Sensitive readers, like me, will have a difficult time with PAX.

Peter rescued Pax as a kit and the two have been inseparable ever since. That is, until Peter’s father heads off to war and makes Peter release Pax back into the wild before going to live with his grandfather. Shortly after arriving at his grandfather’s house, Peter finds a photograph of his father as a boy. In the photo, his father is with a pet dog Peter never knew he had. His grandfather tells him they were “inseparable.” Filled with anger and guilt for abandoning Pax when he knew it was wrong, Peter leaves his grandfather’s house in the middle of the night and starts out on a journey to get Pax back.

PAX is a difficult book to digest because it is filled with such visceral, raw, emotion-packed scenes. Pennypacker leaves nothing to the imagination. A pair of foxes are brutally and graphically slain, right in front of the reader’s eyes. Another animal loses an appendage in a terrible way and that same appendage reappears as the story nears its conclusion. Blood scatters the landscape and a creepy fear permeates many of Peter’s scenes with Vola, an isolationist that rescues Peter after he suffers a major (and also graphic) setback on his journey. If you struggled through Kathi Appelt’s THE UNDERNEATH, which is the most recent comparable I can think of, you will struggle with many of the images in PAX.

The chapters alternate from Pax’s point of view to Peter’s point of view. Pax’s chapters are filled with wonder and confusion, as he discovers things about the wild and as he learns more about the behavior of humans. Not all humans are like his boy Peter. As the bond between he and Bristle and Runt grows stronger, the happy reunion readers may hope for becomes less likely. Pennypacker’s writing is best in these scenes with Pax. Peter’s chapters are filled with anxiety and dread as he suffers setback after setback in his journey to find Pax. Vola is a fascinating character. If Pennypacker had any interest in centering a prequel around her, I believe it would find some interested readers.

If I had one small gripe with PAX it is that Pennypacker’s themes often seem a bit heavy handed and spelled out for the reader. War is bad. Humans ruin everything. What were the humans even fighting for? What was the war about? By keeping these issues vague, Pennypacker turns them into statements instead of plot points. The political statements Pennypacker seems to be making are very overt and sometimes they held me back from enjoying the story unfolding or investing in the characters.

Perhaps a more subtle theme in the story is the loss of the family unit:

"It hadn't happened for several years, but sometimes at the end of the day, his humans would sit together on his boy's nest. The father would lay a hard box, flat and thin and made of many layers of paper, across his lap. Paper, like Pax's own bedding, but not shredded, and with many marks. His humans would peel these layers, one by one, and study them. Pax remembered that his humans were most linked together on those evenings, and with their harmony he could let down his guard."

When Peter chooses to make right his mistake of leaving Pax in the woods, he's doing more than going against his father. He is going against what his father stands for. He is realizing that sometimes, the apple does fall far from the tree. He recognizes the mistake his father made when he was a boy and vows to not make the same mistake. Which makes PAX above all, despite the heart-breaking, gut-wrenching narrative, a story of hope. Hope for a more harmonious future.

PAX by Sara Pennypacker is a powerful animal fantasy exploring the journeys of a boy and his fox.

With his mother dead and his father going off to war, twelve-year-old Peter is forced to abandon his pet fox Pax and go live with his grandfather hundreds of miles away.

This gripping story is told in alternating chapters through the eyes of Peter and Pax as they try to survive in their new worlds and reunite with each other. Whether caring for his new companions or treasuring his toy soldier, the author is most successful when speaking through the eyes of Pax.

Librarians will find that this story of companionship, survival, and redemption is sure to capture the hearts of middle grade readers. While some youth may enjoy the fable-like, timeless quality, others may find this lack of specificity annoying.

From the flowing narrative to the simple illustrations, this heartbreaking tale has the makings of a classic.

To learn more about the author, go to [...]

To learn more about the illustrator, go to [...]

Published by Balzer and Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins on February 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

How do I love this book? Let me count the ways: (Sorry, Shakespeare)
Potent storytelling- compelling me to turn page after page.
Language that captures unique and distinct voices for characters you'll never meet in any other books.
Story-within-a-story-within-a-philosophical question, layered in ways it can and should be read and discussed across generations and decades.
Anchored in a time and place so real I would recognize it if I saw it, yet true for any place and time.
Deep themes and questions regarding war, trauma, PTSD, and personal values explored with depth and dignity.

Add to that: My years working in wildlife rehabilitation make me both intrigued by and skeptical of stories with wild animal characters. In this case, the specificity of species patterns and behaviors ring true and allow the fox characters to reveal their most natural selves, as far as humans could tell. Pennypacker allows readers to come away with heightened respect for the intelligence and heart of these creatures without resorting to anthropomorphizing or maudlin sentiment.
Read this. Share it. Talk out it. Please.

I knew I would love this book, but I didn’t know how much I would love it. In just under 300 pages, Pennypacker had me deeply involved in both the lives of the boy and his fox, and desperate for them to be reunited. This book was poignant and adorable and very moving. Pax gave me some nostalgic Homeward Bound feelings with the whole animal-journeying-to-its-human theme. I’ll tell you right now, I cried twice and have no regrets. (I love when books make me cry. I can’t be the only one, right?!)
Peter is twelve and still suffering from the loss of his mother five years ago, having bottled up his feelings rather than address them. His relationship with his father is distant and strained, leaving Pax as his closest family member. Readers learn a lot about Peter and his past and how he views life, and Pennypacker shaped him into a very realistic boy.
Now, I know nothing about fox behavior (or really any animal behavior, even that of my own cats) but Pax felt like a real fox. Obviously his thoughts are formed in a way we as humans can understand, but he still had a very animalistic feel and there was a simplicity there that I found charming.
I’m finding this book a lot harder to talk about than I imagined. I really just loved every minute of it. Pennypacker writes thoughtfully about emotion, personal truths and war. The book also has a timeless feel – there is little mention of technology, leaving the time period open to interpretation. I chose to read it as the recent past, but it could still be our present day, or even a future where we’ve lost some of the technology we’re so reliant on today. The ending was unsatisfying in the best way and this is certainly a book I’ll read more than once.
I can tell you right now, Pax will certainly be at the top of my ‘top whatever’ list I make at the end of the year. I think animal lovers young and old will enjoy this book and if you’re already a fan of middle grade, you’ll likely enjoy this too. If you’re not yet a middle grade fan, perhaps Pax will be the book to hook you in!

I almost gave up on "Pax." I saw the book in stores and tried finding it at our library, because I wasn't quite sure I would enjoy it, even though I find animal stories to be enjoyable. Through the opening few chapters though, I began thinking "Man, what a totally depressing book." Still though, for some reason I wanted to finish it, to see what the author did with the story. I told myself I would "skim read" it, so that I could at least say I'd finished it. Plus, I wasn't sure I cared for what I saw as arbitrary names for the other foxes in the story. Bristle is so named, for example, because she bristles her fur at Pax when they first meet.

Then came chapter 6.

What was a mess of a tale with everything possible falling apart soon became a thriving tale of hope and love. The addition of Vola to the story turns the whole thing around, and I still have many quotes written down from the book to encourage myself as I currently find myself in a place of uncertainty as well, much as Peter and Pax did. I found myself slowing down, hanging especially on her every word of advice to young Peter and learning a bit more about how I need to view my life currently myself. The illustrated version that I got a copy of was enhanced by the rough pencil drawings of Pax and the other foxes. I thought they brought a touch of both relief and class when most needed.

It's not a flawless book, and at times it just was too "dire" for my liking, particularly in the early chapters, and I found the ending to be maybe a bit predictable and rushed. That said, it was an enjoyable, life-affirming read, and I think something I was supposed to read for myself. Everyone will see something different in it; I think I found my path through its gentle words of wisdom.

This is a heart-warming, poignant, and insightful tale. Peter and Pax, young boy and his fox, separated by war, provide counter-heroes as they strive to get back to each other. While the morals and storyline are perfect for children, the depth and insight of this book is such that it is a worthy read for adults too. Digging into the crevices of war, the implications and consequences of it, the emotional upheaval, and the growth brought on by its machinations, this tale is one of the best books I have read in some time.

The parallel storylines are also parallel interrogations of adaptation, grief, loss, war and self-discovery. This theme of personal growth dictates the entire book, and, I was very happy to note that the ending (no spoilers I promise) did not betray that theme but reinforced it, and the morality (truth to the self above all else) that guides the story.

NB** I have not commented on the illustrations because the ARC copy I received in exchange for an honest review did not have illustrations**

This book is for readers aged 10 years and upwards.
The story is complimented by the lovely illustrations by Jon Klassen. Although it is written for younger readers it has themes that everyone can identify with. Those topics range from the bond between a child and their pet, abandonment, PTSD, war and moving on in life.
Pennypacker lets the reader see the topics through two sets of eyes, those of Peter the boy and Pax the fox. It gives an overall view of the world through the eyes of the humans and through the eyes of the animals.
The story starts with Peter being forced to dump his hand-reared fox in the woods. Pax is his best friend and his pet. Peter realises that being hand-reared means possible death to the animal, and sets off to find him. He feels guilty for abandoning his friend and for not standing up to his father.
Meanwhile Pax is re-introduced to his natural environment and to other foxes. They perceive him as the enemy because he smells like, and I quote, ‘Stinky-Human.’
The animals communicate and talk about the humans and their wars. Pennypacker gives the animals more than just a voice, she gives them conversation, opinions and insights.
The story is very subtle, you feel a sense of peace and feel a part of the forest. I think the story of Pax the fox is a lot stronger than that of his human. At the same time Peter’s story is also poignant. His encounter with the veteran, the discussion about PTSD, the debate on war (even the animals get in on that). There was also an interesting parallel made between the aggression in his father and behaviour passed on from generation to generation.
Overall it is definitely literary fiction I would recommend for both younger and older readers.
* I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley.*

I enjoyed this book, mostly. I loved the portions involving Pax and his struggle to survive and find his place in the wild. Nature itself became a character and the foxes behaved as foxes would. I wish there had been more of Pax's adventures in this book. The portions involving Peter were also well written and he was an engaging character as was his wise mentor Vola. I found the whole war portions of the book to be confusing (Where did this story take place? What was the war all about? So many questions) and these scenes seemed to muddy the simple and deep truths of the book.

I'm really not sure what age group this book is geared towards. There is a great deal of sadness and loss, which I understand is part of life, but a child expecting a nature story might be confused and disoriented. Regardless, the story was beautifully written in parts and will stick with me for a good long while.

Wow - what an emotively written children’s tale chronicling the amazing friendship between a boy and the fox he brought up, Pax, told from their two points of view. The language used is evocative, making it easy to empathise with both characters as they strive to reunite with each other despite the dangers and turmoil around them. The descriptions from the point of view of the fox, Pax, bring to life in the readers’ imagination just what it must have felt like to be a pet abandoned and left to fend for himself.

This book may well be targeted at middle grade readers but it is still one that can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults, too. It could be used in schools as a brilliant example of stories told from different points of view but is a delightful story to read in its own right, and would make a fantastic one for teachers to share with their pupils either as a class or group reader. This is a very memorable story and one I have no hesitation in highly recommending for everyone to read.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.

This review was first posted to Lazy Day Literature

When war comes to Peter's country, his dad makes him take his pet fox, Pax, out to the woods and abandon him before moving 200 miles away to his grandfather's. Once there, his dad goes off to war and leaves Peter to feel miserable about what he's done. So miserable he can't live with it. So he sets off to get Pax back but is waylaid along the way. Meanwhile, Pax, who waits for his boy to return for him, slowly learns to live in the wild, makes friends, and teeters on the edge of the war-sick world.

My first thoughts going into this was how much it reminded me of the movies 'The Fox and the Hound' and 'Homeward Bound' (based off the book, The Incredible Journey). While it starts out very much like both, it doesn't end like either. To explain why I am reminded of these, we start out with Peter being forced to leave his pet fox behind which totally reminds me of The Fox and Hound' and then there is a magnificent journey that very much reminds me of 'Homeward Bound / The Incredible Journey' in a way, though it is very different. Peter sets out to find his fox instead of the other way around.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book, human and animal alike. Peter was a very determined boy set on righting his wrongs and making sure his fox was alright. He was a little stubborn but that really endeared me to him. Zola was pretty essential to Peter's growth as a character. She always had some bit of wisdom to bestow upon the boy and I enjoyed reading about how they changed each other's perspectives and opinions on many things. The character development went both ways and really, Zola was as much a main character in this book as Peter or Pax.

On the other hand, reading the alternating chapters from Pax's point of view really gave me a better look at how being thrust into the wild after being raised in captivity affects an animal. This perspective also gave us more information on the war, as well as Peter's father.

I did hear that this is a heartbreaking story before going into it and I'm really not sure why. It really had me expecting the worst. Luckily, there was no real need to worry. There are a few moments that you would expect from a war-ridden land, and they are a little sad, but not really worthy of too many tears. I supposed maybe I'm not being emotional enough since I've been seeing reviews saying it brought tears to some, but really, this is not a story that you will need tissues for. At least not in my opinion. It doesn't have the happiest ending but it isn't all that bad either.

Overall, I think this is a well written coming-of-age story with some great messages that would be enjoyed at any age.

This is a gem! Don’t let the cover deceive you, for this is a story for all ages to read. From the first chapter, this novel pulled at my heart strings and I knew it would be one that I will be passing on to others. I believe that Pax will soon find itself among those stories that everyone will call their favorite, those stories that we all recall on instinct. There is a connection between a boy and a fox in this story and as I read, I reminisced about reading these types of stories as a child. I would read these stories over and over again for there is something special about these bonds, and reading Pax, I felt this same way, for these types of stories will never leave you. They make their mark on your heart and stay with you forever. Pax will be like Benji, like Charlotte’s Web, and Shiloh, just to name a few, books that leave you with an impression and a book that you will want to read over and over again. Inside these books, you find comfort, excitement and a message that fills you like no other. As I looked back through the novel, I realized the author used many adjectives to describe the world around me. I didn’t realize this as I was reading for I was submerged inside Pax and Peter world and nothing else mattered. Jon provided a few sketched illustrations throughout the novel and for younger children, I believe these illustrations would be helpful but for me, Sara’s words alone had casted a wonderful picture for me to draw upon. This was a brilliant, exhilarating story that I truly enjoyed!

He licks his salty tears; he’s there to comfort him but why he is crying he is not sure. The angry voice comes again from the father and the begging voice suddenly appears from the boy. The car stops suddenly and they all step out onto the grass. The boy has the old plastic soldier; it is the fox’s favorite toy and he believes they are going to play his favorite game. As the fox retrieves the soldier, hunting it down after the boy threw it, the fox hears the car doors slam and the humans drive away. The distant sound of “Peter!” and “Pax” is what the fox hears as he tries to grasp what just occurred. After reading this, I knew there was no turning back, my morning was devoted to Peter and Pax. What!?! Why were they being separated? So much is happening now is Peter’s life. He’s being dropped off at his grandfather’s now, his father is headed off to war and he just lost his Pax. Peter is dreading the decision his father made to leave Pax out in the woods. Pax was only a few weeks old when Peter rescued him as a kit and he is scared of what might happen to Pax as he tries to fend for himself out in woods. Peter misses Pax immensely. He knows what he must do. He begins packing for Peter believes it will take him one week to trek the 300 mile to locate him. With alternating viewpoints, we hear as Peter begins walking to the place where they dropped Pax off, just hoping Pax stayed there and is waiting for them. Peter is anxious, worried and in a hurry. As he hurries along, he hurts his foot and his trip is delayed. Pax, himself is experiencing a whole new world, with new smells, different creatures and a broader sense of the world which could lead him into greater danger and newer opportunity. Pax is used to being waited on by Peter and now he must fend for himself. Finding food and water, coexisting with other animals including wolves and foxes, Pax must learn the way of the wild. Separated, their thoughts are of each other but they must each continue to live their own life and survive in the hopes of one day, they can be reunited and live to tell of the journey that they had, that brought them back together.

Parents should read this book to/with their children. I recommend it often to my 4th and 5th grade library patrons and think that students through the 8th grade will enjoy this gut-wrenching story. From the very beginning Pennypacker grabs readers' attention as Peter says goodbye to his tough father, who is heading off to war, and to the fox that he has raised and loved for 5 years. Surely even the hardest heart will break as Pax waits for his beloved and trusted Peter to retrieve him from where he was left...but Peter doesn't! The story is told from the perspective of Pax as he searches for Peter and tries to learn the ways of the wild and the destruction of man and of Peter as he learns the same lessons. Those lessons are embedded in a well-told story that will stay with readers, both young and old, for a long time.

I'm an elementary librarian and therefore read dozens and dozens of children's books every year. It's not often I leave reviews for them simply due to the time it would require. But this book...oh, it will stick with me for some time and I simply must leave my approval.

I started and finished the book tonight, and I was teary-eyed during chapter one and bawling by the end. I feel emotionally drained but in a meaningful way...if that makes sense to others reading this. I deeply love and respect animals to begin with (a vegan, the whole nine yards), but the author's talent and style made me feel even more connected to the fox characters. I simply couldn't stop reading.

There are so many reasons I will now treasure this book. I do believe it would be most enjoyed by older children, teens, and even adults. I bought it for my K-5 library but honestly don't believe I teach many fifth graders who would fully appreciate it.

In all honesty, it took me a while to really connect with this book. I read about 60 pages the first day and was thinking, "Hmm. Maybe a 3 or 4 star book." I mean it was okay, but I wasn't really connecting with the Peter, the 12 year old main character. I loved Pax immediately, but that's not surprising as an animal lover. As the story progressed and Peter sets out to correct his mistake (abandoning his pet) and meets another lost soul in need, I finally started connecting with him. By the end of the book, I was sobbing (admittedly during Pax's story). A beautiful tale. Some reviewers complain about the moral of the story, that we all need to really understand more about the costs of war. It's more than people. It's more than land. It really costs so much more. I think that is an important thing for everyone to acknowledge. While the story is a sad one, I think the message it conveys is an important one.

What are the true costs of war? This is the question Sara Pennypacker poses as she takes us on the journey of a young boy who is separated from his pet fox due to the coming war. Their commitment to each other and ensuing struggle to reunite brings both boy and fox on separate paths of self-discovery and understanding about the nature of love, loss and ultimately redemption through forgiveness, particularly self-forgiveness.

The true magic of Pax, which translates as Peace in Latin, comes from Pennypacker’s use of the fox as a main character and her time spent researching the behavior and language of these magnificent animals prior to writing. Her obvious love of foxes, and her ability to capture the syntax and rhythm of fox language, lends to their transformation into personified characters who, like the human boy and the isolated veteran he encounters, are innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. War transforms both man and nature, each bearing scars that will never fully heal. As such, the empathy and avenues of emotional bonding to the characters that we develop could not have been accomplished using the comfort of man’s best friend. It is precisely because the boy/fox relationship is unnatural that we as readers become more aware and engaged in wanting to see them through to the end.

Interestingly enough, we are never told where the war is taking place. It is just part of the background. However, there are clues that leave us to assume it is here in the United States in the not too distant future. In addition, there is an indirect reference that the war is over access to water, which given the current course of events, gives Pax a sense of realism that is quite unsettling.

Overall, Pax is a fantastic family book. I read it out-loud to my sons before bed each night. Through the alternating chapter format of boy and fox, Pennypacker keeps the pace of the story brisk and ties both boy and fox together as each struggle with their newly formed identities. While there are a few plot-holes they are minor and don’t detract from the overall narrative.

Through the heartbreaking experiences and ultimate triumphs that take place, Pax offers ample opportunity for families to engage with each other and talk about serious issues in a constructive and thoughtful manner. And unlike war, the cost of a family conversation is free.

PAX is the type of book I would have stayed away from as a young reader. My 4th grade teacher read WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS to my class and it almost turned me away from reading. It ruined animal books for me. My family did not have any pets and looking back, I wonder if part of the reason was because we were a sensitive bunch, and hated the thought of losing them someday. Sensitive readers, like me, will have a difficult time with PAX.

Peter rescued Pax as a kit and the two have been inseparable ever since. That is, until Peter’s father heads off to war and makes Peter release Pax back into the wild before going to live with his grandfather. Shortly after arriving at his grandfather’s house, Peter finds a photograph of his father as a boy. In the photo, his father is with a pet dog Peter never knew he had. His grandfather tells him they were “inseparable.” Filled with anger and guilt for abandoning Pax when he knew it was wrong, Peter leaves his grandfather’s house in the middle of the night and starts out on a journey to get Pax back.

PAX is a difficult book to digest because it is filled with such visceral, raw, emotion-packed scenes. Pennypacker leaves nothing to the imagination. A pair of foxes are brutally and graphically slain, right in front of the reader’s eyes. Another animal loses an appendage in a terrible way and that same appendage reappears as the story nears its conclusion. Blood scatters the landscape and a creepy fear permeates many of Peter’s scenes with Vola, an isolationist that rescues Peter after he suffers a major (and also graphic) setback on his journey. If you struggled through Kathi Appelt’s THE UNDERNEATH, which is the most recent comparable I can think of, you will struggle with many of the images in PAX.

The chapters alternate from Pax’s point of view to Peter’s point of view. Pax’s chapters are filled with wonder and confusion, as he discovers things about the wild and as he learns more about the behavior of humans. Not all humans are like his boy Peter. As the bond between he and Bristle and Runt grows stronger, the happy reunion readers may hope for becomes less likely. Pennypacker’s writing is best in these scenes with Pax. Peter’s chapters are filled with anxiety and dread as he suffers setback after setback in his journey to find Pax. Vola is a fascinating character. If Pennypacker had any interest in centering a prequel around her, I believe it would find some interested readers.

If I had one small gripe with PAX it is that Pennypacker’s themes often seem a bit heavy handed and spelled out for the reader. War is bad. Humans ruin everything. What were the humans even fighting for? What was the war about? By keeping these issues vague, Pennypacker turns them into statements instead of plot points. The political statements Pennypacker seems to be making are very overt and sometimes they held me back from enjoying the story unfolding or investing in the characters.

Perhaps a more subtle theme in the story is the loss of the family unit:

"It hadn't happened for several years, but sometimes at the end of the day, his humans would sit together on his boy's nest. The father would lay a hard box, flat and thin and made of many layers of paper, across his lap. Paper, like Pax's own bedding, but not shredded, and with many marks. His humans would peel these layers, one by one, and study them. Pax remembered that his humans were most linked together on those evenings, and with their harmony he could let down his guard."

When Peter chooses to make right his mistake of leaving Pax in the woods, he's doing more than going against his father. He is going against what his father stands for. He is realizing that sometimes, the apple does fall far from the tree. He recognizes the mistake his father made when he was a boy and vows to not make the same mistake. Which makes PAX above all, despite the heart-breaking, gut-wrenching narrative, a story of hope. Hope for a more harmonious future.

PAX by Sara Pennypacker is a powerful animal fantasy exploring the journeys of a boy and his fox.

With his mother dead and his father going off to war, twelve-year-old Peter is forced to abandon his pet fox Pax and go live with his grandfather hundreds of miles away.

This gripping story is told in alternating chapters through the eyes of Peter and Pax as they try to survive in their new worlds and reunite with each other. Whether caring for his new companions or treasuring his toy soldier, the author is most successful when speaking through the eyes of Pax.

Librarians will find that this story of companionship, survival, and redemption is sure to capture the hearts of middle grade readers. While some youth may enjoy the fable-like, timeless quality, others may find this lack of specificity annoying.

From the flowing narrative to the simple illustrations, this heartbreaking tale has the makings of a classic.

To learn more about the author, go to [...]

To learn more about the illustrator, go to [...]

Published by Balzer and Bray, an imprint of Harper Collins on February 2, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

I love stories which are told from an unexpected perspective. In this case there are two perspectives that of a fox who has become a pet and his boy, Peter. When war comes to the unknown country, the father is forced to send his son to live with his grouchy old grandfather. Pax the fox was sent back into the wild. When Peter runs away from his grandfather to find Pax, he ends up spending time with a woman who lives alone far from people. Pennypacker shows her vast writing style in this book. Known best for her Clementine books, this book is one that can be read on many levels. On the surface, it’s the story of a runaway boy searching for his pet, but on a deeper level it is about the cost of peace, the real cost of war and about what finding out where home is.

How do I love this book? Let me count the ways: (Sorry, Shakespeare)
Potent storytelling- compelling me to turn page after page.
Language that captures unique and distinct voices for characters you'll never meet in any other books.
Story-within-a-story-within-a-philosophical question, layered in ways it can and should be read and discussed across generations and decades.
Anchored in a time and place so real I would recognize it if I saw it, yet true for any place and time.
Deep themes and questions regarding war, trauma, PTSD, and personal values explored with depth and dignity.

Add to that: My years working in wildlife rehabilitation make me both intrigued by and skeptical of stories with wild animal characters. In this case, the specificity of species patterns and behaviors ring true and allow the fox characters to reveal their most natural selves, as far as humans could tell. Pennypacker allows readers to come away with heightened respect for the intelligence and heart of these creatures without resorting to anthropomorphizing or maudlin sentiment.
Read this. Share it. Talk out it. Please.

I knew I would love this book, but I didn’t know how much I would love it. In just under 300 pages, Pennypacker had me deeply involved in both the lives of the boy and his fox, and desperate for them to be reunited. This book was poignant and adorable and very moving. Pax gave me some nostalgic Homeward Bound feelings with the whole animal-journeying-to-its-human theme. I’ll tell you right now, I cried twice and have no regrets. (I love when books make me cry. I can’t be the only one, right?!)
Peter is twelve and still suffering from the loss of his mother five years ago, having bottled up his feelings rather than address them. His relationship with his father is distant and strained, leaving Pax as his closest family member. Readers learn a lot about Peter and his past and how he views life, and Pennypacker shaped him into a very realistic boy.
Now, I know nothing about fox behavior (or really any animal behavior, even that of my own cats) but Pax felt like a real fox. Obviously his thoughts are formed in a way we as humans can understand, but he still had a very animalistic feel and there was a simplicity there that I found charming.
I’m finding this book a lot harder to talk about than I imagined. I really just loved every minute of it. Pennypacker writes thoughtfully about emotion, personal truths and war. The book also has a timeless feel – there is little mention of technology, leaving the time period open to interpretation. I chose to read it as the recent past, but it could still be our present day, or even a future where we’ve lost some of the technology we’re so reliant on today. The ending was unsatisfying in the best way and this is certainly a book I’ll read more than once.
I can tell you right now, Pax will certainly be at the top of my ‘top whatever’ list I make at the end of the year. I think animal lovers young and old will enjoy this book and if you’re already a fan of middle grade, you’ll likely enjoy this too. If you’re not yet a middle grade fan, perhaps Pax will be the book to hook you in!

I almost gave up on "Pax." I saw the book in stores and tried finding it at our library, because I wasn't quite sure I would enjoy it, even though I find animal stories to be enjoyable. Through the opening few chapters though, I began thinking "Man, what a totally depressing book." Still though, for some reason I wanted to finish it, to see what the author did with the story. I told myself I would "skim read" it, so that I could at least say I'd finished it. Plus, I wasn't sure I cared for what I saw as arbitrary names for the other foxes in the story. Bristle is so named, for example, because she bristles her fur at Pax when they first meet.

Then came chapter 6.

What was a mess of a tale with everything possible falling apart soon became a thriving tale of hope and love. The addition of Vola to the story turns the whole thing around, and I still have many quotes written down from the book to encourage myself as I currently find myself in a place of uncertainty as well, much as Peter and Pax did. I found myself slowing down, hanging especially on her every word of advice to young Peter and learning a bit more about how I need to view my life currently myself. The illustrated version that I got a copy of was enhanced by the rough pencil drawings of Pax and the other foxes. I thought they brought a touch of both relief and class when most needed.

It's not a flawless book, and at times it just was too "dire" for my liking, particularly in the early chapters, and I found the ending to be maybe a bit predictable and rushed. That said, it was an enjoyable, life-affirming read, and I think something I was supposed to read for myself. Everyone will see something different in it; I think I found my path through its gentle words of wisdom.

This is a heart-warming, poignant, and insightful tale. Peter and Pax, young boy and his fox, separated by war, provide counter-heroes as they strive to get back to each other. While the morals and storyline are perfect for children, the depth and insight of this book is such that it is a worthy read for adults too. Digging into the crevices of war, the implications and consequences of it, the emotional upheaval, and the growth brought on by its machinations, this tale is one of the best books I have read in some time.

The parallel storylines are also parallel interrogations of adaptation, grief, loss, war and self-discovery. This theme of personal growth dictates the entire book, and, I was very happy to note that the ending (no spoilers I promise) did not betray that theme but reinforced it, and the morality (truth to the self above all else) that guides the story.

NB** I have not commented on the illustrations because the ARC copy I received in exchange for an honest review did not have illustrations**

This book is for readers aged 10 years and upwards.
The story is complimented by the lovely illustrations by Jon Klassen. Although it is written for younger readers it has themes that everyone can identify with. Those topics range from the bond between a child and their pet, abandonment, PTSD, war and moving on in life.
Pennypacker lets the reader see the topics through two sets of eyes, those of Peter the boy and Pax the fox. It gives an overall view of the world through the eyes of the humans and through the eyes of the animals.
The story starts with Peter being forced to dump his hand-reared fox in the woods. Pax is his best friend and his pet. Peter realises that being hand-reared means possible death to the animal, and sets off to find him. He feels guilty for abandoning his friend and for not standing up to his father.
Meanwhile Pax is re-introduced to his natural environment and to other foxes. They perceive him as the enemy because he smells like, and I quote, ‘Stinky-Human.’
The animals communicate and talk about the humans and their wars. Pennypacker gives the animals more than just a voice, she gives them conversation, opinions and insights.
The story is very subtle, you feel a sense of peace and feel a part of the forest. I think the story of Pax the fox is a lot stronger than that of his human. At the same time Peter’s story is also poignant. His encounter with the veteran, the discussion about PTSD, the debate on war (even the animals get in on that). There was also an interesting parallel made between the aggression in his father and behaviour passed on from generation to generation.
Overall it is definitely literary fiction I would recommend for both younger and older readers.
* I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley.*

I enjoyed this book, mostly. I loved the portions involving Pax and his struggle to survive and find his place in the wild. Nature itself became a character and the foxes behaved as foxes would. I wish there had been more of Pax's adventures in this book. The portions involving Peter were also well written and he was an engaging character as was his wise mentor Vola. I found the whole war portions of the book to be confusing (Where did this story take place? What was the war all about? So many questions) and these scenes seemed to muddy the simple and deep truths of the book.

I'm really not sure what age group this book is geared towards. There is a great deal of sadness and loss, which I understand is part of life, but a child expecting a nature story might be confused and disoriented. Regardless, the story was beautifully written in parts and will stick with me for a good long while.

Wow - what an emotively written children’s tale chronicling the amazing friendship between a boy and the fox he brought up, Pax, told from their two points of view. The language used is evocative, making it easy to empathise with both characters as they strive to reunite with each other despite the dangers and turmoil around them. The descriptions from the point of view of the fox, Pax, bring to life in the readers’ imagination just what it must have felt like to be a pet abandoned and left to fend for himself.

This book may well be targeted at middle grade readers but it is still one that can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults, too. It could be used in schools as a brilliant example of stories told from different points of view but is a delightful story to read in its own right, and would make a fantastic one for teachers to share with their pupils either as a class or group reader. This is a very memorable story and one I have no hesitation in highly recommending for everyone to read.

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fabulous story about a boy and his fox. It mist be noted here that Pax means peace in Latin and that war is ever present danger in the main plot. Dyableman! was a word that popped up often as an esoteric way of exclaiming alarm at something in life. The boys father goes into the war without much care for his son who runs away. In doing so he looses his fox and or n into an olds female war vet. She teaches him to survive and fixes his twisted ankle. Without giving too much away, the boy learns puppetry from her and how to survive one his own. Pax goes through a coming of age too with his vixin and runt. The ending is stupendously surprising in so many unexpected ways. Please don't think of this book being juvenile. It taught me many things about my own disability you see! Enjoy! Murf

I read Pax with a book club of students in 3rd grade. These students were good readers and "higher thinkers". Every one of the 12 students loved this book (though some were not happy with the ending). There are so many layers to this book. Some of the nuances in the book were a bit above this group's abilities but we had many rich discussions on topics such as the costs of war, loyalty, disobedience, PTSD, irony. The characters in the book are so rich and well developed. It was a very good choice for this book club and I would imagine a group of slightly older students would get even more from this book. I cannot say enough good things about Pax.

This book is incredibly touching and heartbreaking. A boy named Peter leaves his pet fox, Pax, while he was moving to his Grandfathers house. Big time mistake, and when he goes looking for Pax, he breaks his leg and he must stay at a seemingly crazy woman's house. She says that he has to stay there until his leg heals before looking for Pax. Meanwhile Pax meets a hostile young vixen and her playful little brother who's parents were killed by humans, so imagine how they felt when a fellow fox who smells like human comes up to them, and those are not the only problem. There's a war coming. Fast.

Full disclosure: I'm thirty, which is obviously well outside the age group this was written for. However, I have a soft spot for Y- and YA literature and based on the reviews, I decided to pick this up anyway.

The story is fantastic. It's a coming of age story and touches on so many themes such as loss, anger, family, companionship, loyalty, and courage. I felt drawn in immediately, loving both POVs and main characters.

I will mention that there is some violence in the story which may not be appropriate for kids. Parents, I would advise you read it yourself first before handing this off to your kids.

Overall a great read! Would recommend for adults as well.

When the author was writing about the fox, the story was engaging, but the boy's story was confusing. The war wasn't explained adequately, and the woman who helps Peter seems odd and contrived. And we don't know enough about the father and grandfather. It would have made more sense for the grandfather to have been the one who helps Peter and explains about the war. (I'm an adult who reads children's books because I write them.)

Pax is a wonderful story about a boy and the pet he loves. Peter has had the fox Pax, since he found him as a kit; the only one of his litter mates to survive. Peter is forced to leave Pax behind by his father, when the father leaves to go to war. Shortly after arriving at his grandfather's house, Peter is overcome by guilt, and decides he must make his way back home to look for his beloved pet. The story of Peter's journey to find Pax will resonate with anyone who has ever loved an animal. Pax's journey from confusion by Peter's desertion, to a gradual awakening of memories and instinctual stirrings, to his ultimate understanding of how to be a wild fox is inspiring. Set in a background of war, the story touches on many difficult subjects; it is a journey of a boy learning about the adult world, and about who he is as a person. I cannot recommend this book more highly!

I saw this book in my public library and thought it looked beautiful so I read about it and checked it out. I was about a 1/5 of the way in when I deicided you buy it. I read the whole thing in about three weeks and I highly recommend. Warning there are a few parts not OK for children. I would say ages 12 and up :)

This story is based during war time. When war was all that mattered and those so young had to serve their country. The young boy is made to give up his Fox to the woods because his father was going to war. He is then forced to go live with his grandfather. Missing his Fox; the boy sets out on a wild adventure to find him.

For ages 3rd to 6th grades

This book wrecked me in the best way. Such a great read but prepare to shed a few tears. The book says 8 - 12 but I would aim toward 11 and 12, not that there is anything inappropriate, but the themes of war and loss can be a bit heavy. The book is beautifully written. Some animals do get hurt and die (don't worry, no plot spoiler here.) Just a heads up for those who are highly sensitive to animals in peril (aren't we all?) If you can handle it, the book is 100% worth it.

A boy. A fox. A father who has enlisted in a sudden war.

The boy releases his fox into the wild and immediately regrets it. He sneaks away from his grandfather's house to attempt to reunite with the fox. In the process he breaks his leg and meets up with a woman with her own set of issues stemming from a war. The fox, too, meets up with new companions and his own set of adventures.

All this with suitably mysterious illustrations by the wonderful Jon Klassen.

So beautifully told and written with heart!! No this is not a good book for a young reader!! I found myself with such torn emotions....but in the end is was a story of two very brave and selfless characters. Just a wonderful story!

I really need to be more careful about the tone of the books I start to read. Otherwise, I'm going to be a human ball of tears and grief. Remember how you felt after watching The Fox and the Hound? Yeah, that's how this book will leave you feeling.

i was sad to not like this book, since so many people enjoyed it vey much. i didn't like it becuase it was so sad from beginning to end. i never got past all the sadness and loneliness. if you have ever lost a pet or a person, this book will cause you to be in that sad space for far too long.

This book is a touching story of a boy and his pet fox, Pax, who are seperated and go through many obsticles to be together again. It was wonderfully written, like no easy words like sad or hard, but good vocabulary like heartbroken or challenging. Sarah Pennypacker included many little details and did a great job writing the book through both Peter and Pax's point of view. A 5 star story, everyone should have the pleasure of reading it.

Liked the book. Love books about animals even though they usually tug at the heart strings. Not impressed with the ending of this book. Ended much too quickly for the struggle they went through in my opinion. Left me disappointed.

A boy. A fox. Inseparable, until they are suddenly torn 300 miles apart. Told in the alternating voices of Peter and Pax the fox, this is a story of the friendship between a child and an animal, a story full of love, loyalty and determination, a story about how grief, war and anxiety can take deep root but how friendship can help you find peace within.

Blew me away and took me away. One of the most perfect endings I've ever read/seen/lived. Middle graders will love Pax but adults will love the story too. Sara Pennypacker's writing is beautiful. Each sentence is so rich, clear. I felt the way I did the first time I read Steinbeck, The Red Pony, still a favorite. - Paul Griffin NYC December 2016.

This is a book I will buy several more times to give to friends and relatives as a gift. It has the feel of an instant classic, which will be read far into the future. Pax is about a boy and his fox, but it's also an adventure story, and a story about the real costs of war. The chapters alternate between our main protagonist, and Pax, his "pet" fox that he is forced to release into the wild. Wracked with guilt, Peter goes on a 300 mile journey to find Pax and bring him home. Highly recommend.

I recently completed pax and thought I would write a review on it. The book is about a little boy who lost his mom and his dad went off to war. He had a fox, and he was forced to release him back into the wild. Peter and pax were inseapreble. Peter made up his mind, he would set out on a journey to get pax back to him. On the way, Peter broke his ancle and was forced to stay six weeks with a mysterious woman....
Things I liked about pax..
I liked that it was interesting, and that it showed into a fox's life...
Things I did not like about pax....
Here are some things I did not like. First, I think when Peter is staying with the woman is just so the author can push her beliefs on the reader. The book also has alot of Buddhist stuff in it. Second of all, I did not like that the little boy has so much anger problems and he is disrespectful. Third, it the book had a sad, empty ending. Peter walked so much, plus Peter had to stay six weeks at someone's house because he broke his leg, then he walked more with wooden crutches. All in all he walked three hundred miles to go get his fox. when he found pax, pax did not want to come back home with him, so Peter left... End of book. It left you confused, what happened to the woman who kept him for six weeks? What about pax's two fox friends? What about his dad?
My conclusion is....... I wouldn't recommend this to family or friends because of the author constinly pushing her beliefs, which makes you dislike the book. In the book she is pushing Buddhism, animals have equal or more rights than humans, and anti-war. People who volunteer for war are sick as far as she's concerned

I truly enjoyed this book, but I will warn you it will make you cry a few times. Yes it is a children's book but it can be enjoyed by adults. It was one of those books I finished and sat there crying in silence for a few minutes just taking it all in.

I read this book in one day, because I couldn't put it down. While I enjoyed the characters and the story, the ending was horrible. It was abrupt and unforgiving, and left too many ends unfinished. There were many ways the writer could have softened the loss that happens at the end, but perhaps she wants to continue this story in another book. Named 'Peter'. Hopefully.
This was the saddest book, bar none, I have ever read. I wouldn't recommend it for children - the imagery is very intense, especially from the wolves point of view. I would recommend it to an older teen who perhaps understands how the world works, that grief and loss sometimes leads to redemption.

My granddaughter let me borrow this book from her. It is incredibly well written and meaningful. The journey of Pax and Peter is one of deep love. This book is one of my favorites she has put on my reading list! Do yourself a favor, READ THIS BOOK! and, yes have tissues nearby.

Heartbreaking story; beautifully told tale. War is horrible as it is, but as this story shows, it effects other creatures as well. If the human race had any degree of true empathy it would cut the nonsense out and work a little harder for peace. Loved this story! All ages should read it.

Summary: When Peter’s father goes to war, Peter is sent to live with his grandfather. His father says that Peter’s pet fox, Pax, must be returned to the wild. We see this happening from Pax’s point of view, and the story of what happens after that is told in alternating chapters. Peter realizes he has done a terrible thing, and runs away to try to rescue Pax. Along the way, he breaks a bone in his foot, and is taken in by Vona, a woman whose own war experiences left her so scarred, both physically and emotionally, that she has withdrawn from the human race. Meanwhile, Pax meets up with some foxes in the woods, and slowly, while still desperately hoping for Peter’s return, starts to make a life for himself in the wild. While Peter and Pax are on their journeys, the war is slowly encroaching into both of their lives, leading up to a climactic finale. 288 pages; ages 8-12.

Pros: This beautifully written and illustrated story will undoubtedly be a 2016 awards contender. Filled with love, hope, friendship, and healing, Pax is a book to savor and discuss.

Cons: The “war is bad” message got a bit heavy-handed on occasion. A little infusion of humor wouldn’t have made the story any less powerful.

I read this book in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. The bond between the boy and his pet Fox is beautiful and the authors description of the non-verbal communication between the foxes even more so. I was so touched by this that I found myself in tears more than once. Loved this story.

Pax is a fox, and his boy has to get rid of him in the woods after 4 years. His dad made him through a toy in the woods on the side of the woods. Every other chapter is the boy, then the foxes POV. The boy runs from his home to search for his fox, and pax waits for his boy as long as he can. This book is the best book ever, my favorite book. Ever since iv read it Iv loved foxes. Buy this book, it'll change your life.
P.S the book has uneven cutted pages, but its supposed to be like it.

Pax is a powerful book, exploring with tenderness and insight, the themes of empowerment and closure. It is also a rollicking good read; Pennybacker is an adroit storyteller, and her spare, taut prose keeps the plot moving along at a fine clip. Once you've picked up Pax, you'll find it hard to put down. It's a book that gets under your skin: honest, forthright and deeply endearing.

If you buy your children or grandchildren just one book this year, make it Pax. And by the way - it's a story for children of all ages, from 10 to 100.

This was our second Sara Pennypacker book. We listened to Summer of the Gypsy Moths last. I was really excited to listen to this book because my kids and I LOVED Summer of the...but this book really fell flat with us. We decided not to listen to the last disk and return it to the library. The story just wasn't holding our attention.

I fought with my rating on this book because there were many stellar aspects about it, but I rate books as they relate to the reading age classification, not as I connect with them as an adult, and there were quite a few things that fell short in that way.

On Edelweiss the publisher age range suggestion is eight to twelve, grades 3-7, and a lot of the story was too graphic and bloody for third, fourth, and fifth graders. Which always points to it would have been better marketed for younger YA ages. The MC is 12 years old, and many times too mature in his actions and thinking patterns for that age. I would say he acts more like a 14 year old. Middle Grade is becoming a hot thing and I have seen too many YA type books being skated as MG by making the MC age twelve.

Children eight to twelve are also known for being serious worriers and this fictional war sounds like it is being fought in North America, that it could be fought here in the future. I remember growing up during the Cold War with the threat of the atomic bomb and how worrying about it affected my childhood in a very negative way. This story would have been better as WWI or WWII Historical Fiction for this reason.

Other things that will turn most MG age readers off (but not YA readers): going in depth about specific subjects they might not be interested in, and using too much specific jargon related to those things, like baseball and woodworking. Getting too deep philosophically.

There were also many wonderful things about the story. I love it when young people form positive bonds with older people, extra points when they are not family members. It had a great anti-war message, and an important view on wild animals and human impact on nature and the environment. The animal communication was written without really anthropomorphizing the foxes much and I really respected that.

If this had been marketed as the YA book it really is, or reworked into a true Middle Grade story that this age group would actually read (which I would prefer the MG offering because the messages and the ideas in the book are important), I would have given it five stars, 4.5 on my blog. Where are the Children's editors for all of these Middle Graded more like YA books? At least have teachers of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders beta read for you.

I was approved for an eARC, via Edelweiss, in return for an honest review. I will not be reviewing this book on my blog because it was less than four stars.

This is a stunningly beautiful book for ALL ages. Set in seemingly contemporary times, it is truly timeless and can be read on many levels. If this book hasn't yet become a classic, it will become one soon. Unforgettable!

If I were to review Pax on the sole basis of Jon Klassen's beautiful illustrations, which were why I bought this ya novel (along with a glowing review in the WSJ) then I would happily rate it 5 stars.
Reader, I cannot do it. People do not talk this way, boys do not think this way and do not talk this way to each other or to adults, take your pick. Mawkish, and embarrassingly amateurish at times, the best way I can describe the plot is a Hallmark Channel movie meets late 50's Disney nature movie, and sadly, not in a good way.
The overwhelming praise Pax has received baffles me- it does- I understand this is a children's book, and I am not a child but having said that if fiction is the suspension of disbelief? Pax fails on every page with every word. I gave it 2 stars instead of one for the illustrations, which are frame worthy.

I love this book. A boy, a fox, searching for each other during an unspecified war - this is a story about peace and perseverance, told from both points of view. Highly recommended for middle grade readers.

hi. i cried. this book is so sad! i am an 9 year old and i cried the whole night! this book brought back old memories of when i had to say goodbye to my dog. books should not do that to kids! SPOILER and at the end when the boy travled all that way to find his fox and then pax didnt want him! i am crying right now! bye

Sara Pennypacker did a fantastic job with this book. The plot line is so well thought out and she developed the characters so well, I could picture everything about them. I would rate this book five stars any day. It is one of the best books I've ever read.

I read this book in one sitting. Couldn't put it down. The bond between the boy and his pet Fox is beautiful and the authors description of the non-verbal communication between the foxes even more so. I was so touched by this that I found myself in tears more than once. Loved this story.

Pax is a fox, and his boy has to get rid of him in the woods after 4 years. His dad made him through a toy in the woods on the side of the woods. Every other chapter is the boy, then the foxes POV. The boy runs from his home to search for his fox, and pax waits for his boy as long as he can. This book is the best book ever, my favorite book. Ever since iv read it Iv loved foxes. Buy this book, it'll change your life.
P.S the book has uneven cutted pages, but its supposed to be like it.

I read a lot of books with my son, mostly fantasy adventure. They are fun and hold his attention, but there is not much that prevokes deeper thoughts. This book held his attention, and yet had great imagery, and deep thoughts that are new to kids. I found it rewarding and worthwhile read, very deserving of an award.

Pax is a powerful book, exploring with tenderness and insight, the themes of empowerment and closure. It is also a rollicking good read; Pennybacker is an adroit storyteller, and her spare, taut prose keeps the plot moving along at a fine clip. Once you've picked up Pax, you'll find it hard to put down. It's a book that gets under your skin: honest, forthright and deeply endearing.

If you buy your children or grandchildren just one book this year, make it Pax. And by the way - it's a story for children of all ages, from 10 to 100.

This was our second Sara Pennypacker book. We listened to Summer of the Gypsy Moths last. I was really excited to listen to this book because my kids and I LOVED Summer of the...but this book really fell flat with us. We decided not to listen to the last disk and return it to the library. The story just wasn't holding our attention.

Just finished this, and still wiping my eyes for how wonderful and beautifully this story is told. Very few books touch me this way. Age group 10-14? Bull.... this should be read by everyone and/or read to everyone. A masterpiece. I expect it will be made into a beautiful movie, so it reaches even more people. Its powerful message must be delivered to all.

I fought with my rating on this book because there were many stellar aspects about it, but I rate books as they relate to the reading age classification, not as I connect with them as an adult, and there were quite a few things that fell short in that way.

On Edelweiss the publisher age range suggestion is eight to twelve, grades 3-7, and a lot of the story was too graphic and bloody for third, fourth, and fifth graders. Which always points to it would have been better marketed for younger YA ages. The MC is 12 years old, and many times too mature in his actions and thinking patterns for that age. I would say he acts more like a 14 year old. Middle Grade is becoming a hot thing and I have seen too many YA type books being skated as MG by making the MC age twelve.

Children eight to twelve are also known for being serious worriers and this fictional war sounds like it is being fought in North America, that it could be fought here in the future. I remember growing up during the Cold War with the threat of the atomic bomb and how worrying about it affected my childhood in a very negative way. This story would have been better as WWI or WWII Historical Fiction for this reason.

Other things that will turn most MG age readers off (but not YA readers): going in depth about specific subjects they might not be interested in, and using too much specific jargon related to those things, like baseball and woodworking. Getting too deep philosophically.

There were also many wonderful things about the story. I love it when young people form positive bonds with older people, extra points when they are not family members. It had a great anti-war message, and an important view on wild animals and human impact on nature and the environment. The animal communication was written without really anthropomorphizing the foxes much and I really respected that.

If this had been marketed as the YA book it really is, or reworked into a true Middle Grade story that this age group would actually read (which I would prefer the MG offering because the messages and the ideas in the book are important), I would have given it five stars, 4.5 on my blog. Where are the Children's editors for all of these Middle Graded more like YA books? At least have teachers of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders beta read for you.

I was approved for an eARC, via Edelweiss, in return for an honest review. I will not be reviewing this book on my blog because it was less than four stars.

This is a stunningly beautiful book for ALL ages. Set in seemingly contemporary times, it is truly timeless and can be read on many levels. If this book hasn't yet become a classic, it will become one soon. Unforgettable!

If I were to review Pax on the sole basis of Jon Klassen's beautiful illustrations, which were why I bought this ya novel (along with a glowing review in the WSJ) then I would happily rate it 5 stars.
Reader, I cannot do it. People do not talk this way, boys do not think this way and do not talk this way to each other or to adults, take your pick. Mawkish, and embarrassingly amateurish at times, the best way I can describe the plot is a Hallmark Channel movie meets late 50's Disney nature movie, and sadly, not in a good way.
The overwhelming praise Pax has received baffles me- it does- I understand this is a children's book, and I am not a child but having said that if fiction is the suspension of disbelief? Pax fails on every page with every word. I gave it 2 stars instead of one for the illustrations, which are frame worthy.

I love this book. A boy, a fox, searching for each other during an unspecified war - this is a story about peace and perseverance, told from both points of view. Highly recommended for middle grade readers.

hi. i cried. this book is so sad! i am an 9 year old and i cried the whole night! this book brought back old memories of when i had to say goodbye to my dog. books should not do that to kids! SPOILER and at the end when the boy travled all that way to find his fox and then pax didnt want him! i am crying right now! bye

Sara Pennypacker did a fantastic job with this book. The plot line is so well thought out and she developed the characters so well, I could picture everything about them. I would rate this book five stars any day. It is one of the best books I've ever read.

I love story about animals,they are so such caring animal all over and we as people don't appreciated the love and compassion they have.i cannot understand the cruelty that we bestow on them. When I lost a dear person I was so depressed and my cat never left my side even if I did not feed him,he got me to move because he so loved me and I finally got up and move to get him food and I stayed with him otherwise he would not eat .thank you claire

This is a great book! Reading from both perspectives is very powerful. I am not a fan of the ending and am left hoping for a sequel, however. The book is a great read for 5th - 8th graders. There are scenes and themes that may be too difficult for younger children to understand.

A boy and his pet fox are forcibly separated. This book narrates their search to rejoin one another through the eyes of each one. That is the plot of this book and the limit of its originality. It's real plot is the preaching to be true to your true self. In the process it promotes a strong anti-war message. In all, not much of a book.