Pax

I was drawn to this book because I live where there are foxes and I find them fascinating. Though this may be considered a middle school book and I am in my 70’s, I decided to try it anyway. After all, when my child was in middle school, there were a lot of books we shared that I really enjoyed. I was glad Igave it a try, because I found it an utterly charming and endearing story. I will immediately go on to the second book to see what happens to the characters next.And speaking of characters, I must say that the author was very adept at creating believable, and interesting characters (human and animal) whom I know will stay in my mind for a long time. The observations on war and humans’ effect on nature are quite thought provoking, and I think excellent food for thought for younger readers. I highly recommend this book!

Being an animal lover, I was drawn by the quiet beauty of this book’s cover. Who couldn’t love a small red fox, sitting atop a wooded ridge, and looking out over the fields and valleys below him?Having not read any reviews of this book (shame on me), I expected a cute tale of a fox’s romp through the woods. What I got was a story of life and learning to depend on one’s self.Twelve year old Peter has been caring for Pax, a 5 year old red fox, since the animal was merely a few days old. The fox’s mother and sibling were killed and the kit was left to fend for itself. Peter brought it home, named it Pax, and they became the best of friends. Each worried about the other when they were separated even for a short time (think school day). One day Peter’s father announces that since he’s enlisted in an ongoing war, Peter must go to live with his grandfather. And Pax must be returned to the wild to fend for himself.For an animal whose only life has been one of semi-domestication, the reality of life is crushing. Enemies and predators on all sides drive the fox the near starvation. But a meeting with a vixen – Bristle – and her younger brother Runt – changes Pax’s life. Brushes with the war-sick (soldiers) and their devious and deadly ways introduce Pax to the harsh realities of life. He yearns for his boy, fearing only the worst for the lad at the hands of the soldiers. Through it all the fox never loses hope that they will be reunited.It doesn’t take long for young Peter to realize that he should never have left Pax in the wilderness. He worries how the domesticated animal will forage for food and water; and what of the coyotes who will look upon Pax as a meal? How will his buddy outwit them? Peter leaves a note for his grandfather and takes off on the 300 mile trek back to where Pax was left. But it won’t be an easy journey as he soon learns.For both Peter and Pax, this separation is a journey inward, into their deepest well of self-reliance. Peter must learn to set himself free of memories of his mother and find his inner strength; he must adapt to working with others and seeing that he’s not the only one carrying a burden that prevents his growth. Pax must adapt to the ways of the wild – searching and killing for food, making alliances that will keep him alive, trusting his instincts, and hardening himself to the wily guiles of the soldiers.Pax is not a typical Young Adult book in that it can be bleak and dark; but it will help youngsters learn about loss, grief, and ultimately death. War is never an easy topic and we are most often provided with its impact on human life. This story brings us the other side of war – we see how it affects even the smallest of God’s creatures.I would caution parents to read the book first to determine the suitability for sensitive youngsters.Pax by Sara Pennypacker is destined to be a classic. There is a second volume called Pax: The Journey Home that I hope to read soon.

The themes apparent in PAX make it a book that won't fit every reader. Themes of loss and grief, anger and personal responsibility, and war and survival make the book a compelling one, but not the easiest book to read. Because of those themes, I recommend that the book is one that deserves a lot of discussion between children and adults. Pax is the pet fox of a young boy named Peter. As the story opens Peter's father is forcing him to get rid of the fox before he goes to live with his grandfather while his father is in the army. Peter is heartbroken about this but doesn't want to incur his father's anger by continuing to refuse. Pax is utterly confused when his boy tosses his toy for him to retrieve and then isn't there when he comes back with it. Both Pax and Peter are forced to face difficult situations and choices. Pax must find a way to survive while waiting for his boy to return (he's sure Peter will come). And Peter determines that the right thing to do is to go find his fox. Neither character's journey is an easy one and the consequences of war must be faced by both of them.Once Peter sets out to travel about three-hundred miles to find his fox, he discovers that it's going to be a lot harder than he expected, especially after he breaks his foot. A lonely isolated farmer named Vola reluctantly agrees to help Peter on his way, despite his foot, but only with conditions. As Vola helps Peter get stronger, she also teaches him about the costs of war (she's a disabled veteran) as well as wood carving and marionette story telling. Meanwhile, Pax is learning about thirst and hunger and the dangers of humans as the war creeps ever closer to where he is waiting. When he runs into a vixen and her little brother, Runt, who have had really bad experiences with humans, he starts to realize that the world he is in now is very different than the one he knew before. As both Peter and Pax (the story alternates between the two characters) learn and grow, they start to change making the ending rather bittersweet (in other words, not a happily ever after sort of story). As the story goes on the sort of relationship Peter has with his father becomes clear as do the events that lead to his mother's death that continue to haunt and grieve the boy.Klassen's black and white illustrations match up well with the solemn tone of the story. They show just how alone Peter and Pax feel during major parts of the story, and how that gradually changes.This book has a great deal of depth to it as it deals with issues that have become all to common in the world. While the book contains a great deal of sadness, there is also hope as Peter learns to face his pain and responsibility and Pax learns to survive despite the horrible conditions around him. Pennypacker does a great job keeping to story child appropriate, but several animals are killed/injured by land mines. A thoughtful book that I recommend with the caveat that you consider carefully whether it is appropriate for your child.

I get this four stars I just find it very annoying that the pages are not cut aligned they are all different and I find it a little bit annoying I bought this book because my daughter was reading it in school and I think it is better for a child to read out of the actual book instead of online. Some pages are longer and some are cut shorter. The quality of the paper is nice it's a thicker paper which I do like. But I actually think I might inquire about getting an exchange because I just find it rather annoying how the pages aren't all the same size it is a very good book for children ages 8 to 11 I'm 40 and I still enjoyed the book lol