Name: Kath Lau's review of Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Item: Pax
Rating: 4
Author: Kath Lau

Sara Pennypacker

From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox. Pax is destined to become a classic, beloved for generations to come. Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild. At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox. Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .

Mariah crawford

Kath Lau

Emily Lucie

got this recommended to me by my sister, it's an anti-war book, it's a coming of age, self discovery book. i absolutely loved it, loved the characters (especially vola), loved the way the story is told through both Peter and Pax's point of view, plus the artwork is absolutely adorable. And while the ending is not tragic by any means and can be perceived as a happy ending, it still made me cry 😭 side note this is perfect for you if you love the little prince!

marceline

Melanie Knight

** spoiler alert **
           I’m not usually that fussed about books about animals and it took quite a while for me to get into this book. But by the time Peter met Vola, I was engrossed. By the end, I even enjoyed the chapters from the fox’s viewpoint as he adapted to life in the wild. And I shed a few tears after finishing the book. 

I read this book with a group of Year 6 children. One of the activities we did was to consider the meaning of the word ‘wild’, which is used several times to refer to people as well as animals. It was fascinating to read of the journey that Peter made in himself, finally accepting parts of himself and having the courage to stand up to his father. 

I found Vola’s character the most interesting, and her own journey of self-discovery to accept her past. In the end, her own learning and collecting of wisdom was not quite enough and it took a push from Peter to begin the deeper part of her healing, which linked well with her own theories of ‘oneness’. 

Although the ending of the book made me cry, I was able to see a potential happy future for all of the main characters, although they would all have to live with some of the true costs of war.

Courtney

This is an adorable instant classic on par with similar books such as Black Beauty, Shiloh, and Call of the Wild!

Read this for US Lit, very cute book with an unexpected ending. A lot of great lessons for young adults. 

Robin Collura

Janice Hopper

A little bit anti-war novel, a little bit coming-of-age story. Pax is a fox raised by Peter. But war is coming. Peter's father makes Peter release Pax out into the wild as war comes closer to home. Peter's father also leaves Peter with his grandfather. So there are two young males put out of the only homes they've ever known. Peter can't forget Pax; Pax can't forget Peter. 

This is the story of what happens after that.

Even though this story has foxes, I was a little disappointed with it. The ending seemed a little rushed. I would have liked a bit more backstory about another character that Peter met, but this is the story that we have.

A moving story of the extraordinary friendship between a boy and his fox, and their epic journey to be reunited. Beautifully illustrated by multi-award winner, Jon Klassen Ages: 9+ Pax was only a kit when his family was killed and he was rescued by 'his boy', Peter. Now the country is at war and when his father enlists, Peter has no choice but to move in with his grandfather. Far worse than leaving home is the fact that he has to leave Pax behind. But before Peter spends even one night under his grandfather's roof he sneaks out into the night, determined to find his beloved friend. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their journeys back to each other as war rampages throughout the country. A profound and moving story with stunning illustrations by award-winning illustrator, Jon Klassen, 'Pax' is destined to become a classic in the vein of 'Charlotte's Web' and 'Watership Down'.

Katheryn Sowers 

This was one of my favorites as a tween and it still made me cry after I finished it. 
I have a place in my heart that just makes me bawl at animal abandonedment

I really enjoyed this book! The story line was so cute & wasn’t like anything I had read before! I lovedddd all the details showing how foxes communicate & live, which became even better when I did some research to find out that it was all accurate! I loved Vola’s character. I could oddly relate to her so much as a veteran which was really cool! I feel like the ending was pretty abrupt but I guess not every story can have a full wrapped up ending. Oh & I did think him cutting his leg like Vola did with her wooden leg the drawing a fox in his blood was a bit strange but that’s the only thing I didn’t I didn’t feel really added much 😅

Bruno Casali

Fantástico, que história linda... O amor sincero de uma criança para com seu bichinho de estimação, pode atravessar barreiras físicas e psicológicas, não importando que tipo de dor se esteja sentindo.

"Dois, mas não dois".

Nadine 

#primary #antiwar #animals complex tale of a boys journey to find his abandoned fox - a lot happening- good book for guided reading

Emily

Lais Soares

Claire Klein

everlinet

More 3,5* 
I loved the writing style and the beginning and the foxes. I love foxes so much and that's why I wanted to read this. But the ending just ruined it a little bit for me and left me feel disappointed and kinda sad, just weird feelings. I don't know how to rate it, but it wasn't bad book just bad ending that was not right for me at all!

Rachel

I'M NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING! This book is exactly why I stay away from books about animals. I teared up at the beginning and I sobbed at the end. Pax is about a boy and his fox and the on coming war. Peter has to leave his fox, Pax, behind in the woods because his dad joined the military and he has to go live with his grandpa, but right away he realizes what a terrible mistake he has made and must go find Pax. The story explores the cost of war that might not be thought about usually and how it can affect everything in different ways. This story is sad, but has a good uplifting message. I felt at times the plot could of been smoother and maybe more information about the characters and the background. The fox chapters are all amazing though and emotional. Ugh. Definitely not a book just for children, any age can appreciate the story and message. 

(view spoiler)[ Pax the fox does not die.  (hide spoiler)]

Nandita Joshi 

Ashley Denktas

The moving story of the extraordinary friendship between a boy and his fox and their epic journey to be reunited. Beautifully illustrated by multi-award winner, Jon Klassen. Now available in Paperback! Pax was only a kit when his family was killed and he was rescued by 'his boy', Peter. Now the country is at war and when his father enlists, Peter has no choice but to move in with his grandfather. Far worse than leaving home is the fact that he has to leave Pax behind. But before Peter spends even one night under his grandfather's roof he sneaks out into the night, determined to find his beloved friend. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their journeys back to each other as war rampages throughout the country. A profound and moving story with stunning illustrations by award-winning illustrator, Jon Klassen, 'Pax' is destined to become a classic in the vein of 'Charlotte's Web' and 'Watership Down'.

Carole 

Dhdh bshdh

maitha mana

Deepika Ramesh

Moth

National Book Award Longlist * New York Times Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year Finally in paperback! This handsome edition features French flaps. From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes a beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox. Pax is destined to become a classic, beloved for generations to come. Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild. At his grandfather's house, three hundred miles away from home, Peter knows he isn't where he should be—with Pax. He strikes out on his own despite the encroaching war, spurred by love, loyalty, and grief, to be reunited with his fox. Meanwhile Pax, steadfastly waiting for his boy, embarks on adventures and discoveries of his own. . . .

Kath Lau &
Pax by Sara Pennypacker

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