Pax: A Powerful Fox Story About Separation, War, and the Bond Between a Boy and His Pet (Pax, 5)

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.

Targeted at the 8 – 12 year old group, Sara Pennypacker’s latest novel “Pax” is a book that carries universal truths and one that will touch readers of any age. Illustrated by Jon Klassen, the pen and ink drawings contained in the book enhance the story, strengthening the overall impact of the passages associated with each specific drawing. Set in an unidentified country during an unspecified time, “Pax” serves to remind readers that war and destruction may affect anyone – or anything. Twelve-year old Peter has cared for his pet fox, “Pax”, for five years. Orphaned as a kit, “Pax” is now as domesticated as any wild animal can be; he has never had to survive in the wild. “…distrust is no match for kindness administered consistently and unmeasured …” Having enlisted in the army, Peter’s father takes his son to live with his grandfather and demands that Peter release “Pax” back into the wild. Knowing Peter would not abandon him “Pax” waits patiently for his return. “…Pax would stay …ignore all temptations …until his boy came for him …” Haunted by his belief he has betrayed “Pax”, Peter leaves his grandfather’s home to recover his pet. A broken leg, an encounter with an amputee-veteran whose unnamed war occurred twenty years previously, and a realization – by both Peter and “Pax” – that each must be true to his own nature creates an emotional, poignant story that will touch your heart. Writing in the third person voice, Sara Pennypacker alternates the focus of “Pax” between developments affecting Peter and those in which “Pax” learns what it is to be a fox. Each chapter remains true to the focal character. In Peter’s, the reader learns about his life and his past. "…if he could visit the kind-eyed therapist, he’s smash those toy cars …Just to make everybody see …” The reader also watches Peter grow in his understanding of himself and of others. Talking to his benefactor about her war experience, Peter empathizes with her emotional state and begins to formulate a plan that will free her from her self-imposed exile. In Pax’s chapters, the narrative does not humanize the animals but remains realistic when it details the actions and responses to their surroundings. By Sara Pennypacker doing so, those portions of the narrative seems less fictitious and more like an appealing nature documentary. In both characters’ chapters, the horrors and the impact of war overshadow the narrative. One of Jon Klassen’s drawings, shown on pages 164 and 165, is quite memorable. The shadowing and use of contrasting white ”rain” against the darker background drawing is the strongest in terms of atmosphere and locale. “Pax” is a novel that will touch your heart. It is suitable for the target age group as well as anyone who loves an outstanding story. I recommend that parents or grandparents read “Pax” before sharing it with younger, advanced readers or with those in the target age group who may be very sensitive.

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.

I don't quite understand why people are complaining about the binding. That's one of the things I love about this book! It feels great in my hand, I love the uneven binding and the paper quality. It's a tradition of mine to buy my son books for Christmas. We sat down to read it last night and after a few chapters my son just felt sad. It's not exactly a feel good book. It opens with Peter leaving Pax behind in the woods. Then Peter has to go off and live with his Grandfather so his dad can help with the war. Peter is just completely heartbroken. After all he had Pax since it was a kit (a baby fox). Then from Pax's point of view, he was confused about why the boy wasn't coming back for him. And as a loyal fox he just waits there, not knowing any better. My son didn't want to continue with the book, it just made him really sad. But I went ahead and read through it. I enjoyed the storyline. I'm just not sure if it's ok for younger kids, especially if they have a sensitive soul.

Great book to read aloud at bedtime for families; the story was so beautifully woven together and well written. My 8 year old thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Pax and Peter and the multi faceted Vola.

Every once in a while a reader discovers a book that s/he loves so much that that reader wants to take a megaphone outdoors and shout out to one and all: read PAX. Read it now. How can that reader possibly do such a book justice with a mere review? Pax is a fox that Peter (known to Pax as his boy) saved from death when his mother was run over by a car. The place where they live is unnamed as is the war the boy's father volunteers to join. The father is leaving Peter at the grandfathers while he is away since the mother had died when the boy was quite young. The father insists that Peter leave Pax in the woods which Peter tearfully does. Alternate chapters trace Peter's and Pax's journey from that point. The chapters about the fox are simply astounding, capturing the lives of foxes, how they behave, hunt and relate to each other, other animals and the forest. It also shows through Pax's journey how a fox survives who is tame and wasn't trained to be wild by his mother. The negative impact of war is so subtle that it becomes part of the story. This is how it should be when a story has a moral, whether intended or not. There is a whiff or two of how inhuman some humans are to animals but that is even more subtle. The reader will equally enjoy Peter's chapters as he sets out to find Pax. He encounters a PTSD vet from another unnamed war from 20 years previously. The life lessons these two learn from each other will surely touch your heart. I loved this book and suggest to everyone: buy it and read it. Not only is it suited for the middle school age group but adults will love this book. It doesn't get much better than this when Pax celebrates an accomplishment: "Leaves rustled around him in welcome like fragrant green stars." (page 233 of my hardback copy). Finally, when one closes a book and immediately starts fantasizing about what happens to characters next one has grown so fond of, that is proof that the author has done her job. Ms. Pennypacker what a great book. Highly, highly recommended.

Yes, this book is dark, I wouldn’t recommend it to a family who likes to keep topics exclusively light and cheery but for my precocious 8-1/2-year-old daughter and I, it was perfect. For starters, finding books that match my kid’s emotional intelligence, vocabulary and interests is difficult to say the least. Sadly, so many of the chapter books we have read feel shallow, or just plain boring. ‘Pax’ was neither. Supposed caveats. There were times when she had to ask what a word meant and I even looked one up myself. I actually enjoy that (we’re learning!) Once or twice my daughter remarked on how sad it was that these bad things kept happening to Peter. I could see how a particularly fearful kid would become agitated by this, but it otherwise makes for good discussion. We both found the war a bit confusing contextually, as in, when and where is this set? Who is fighting who and why? There isn’t any mention of technology that dates past the seventies, or mention of nationality. I imagine the author kept it vague so as to focus on the ideas on hand and I came to appreciate the simplification. In defense of dark themes. ‘Pax’ is heavy from the start. In the first book Peter, our protagonist, experiences one profound traumatic life event after another and while his struggle to overcome great obstacles to survive is perhaps more than most kids living in America will come to live through, Peter’s heartbreak is surely not. Anyone who has ever lost a pet, a family member, a friend, a limb, or a dream knows that loss is not a feeling exclusive to adults. Having your heart broken and fearing to trust others can happen to anyone. Redemption. Now for the good part. What really makes these books important is hope. Despite all of the trauma and loss Peter goes through, after seemingly losing all trust in emotional intimacy, he begins to heal. Peter does not go through the rest of his life fearing love and joy and closeness. Being able to witness someone come back from a dark place and learn to trust again delivers the incredibly important message that there is always hope. Something we all need reminding of from time to time. In conclusion, if you’re looking for something to read together with your 8+ year old kid and you aren’t afraid of dark themes, this is the ticket. I would not recommend only reading the first book as it is really just part one and ends on a fairly somber note. Read both; one after the other. If you and your child enjoyed ‘Hatchet’ by Gary Paulson, ‘Coraline’ by Neil Gaiman and or Disney’s ‘The Fox and the Hound’ you should be good to go. Hope you found this helpful! Happy reading!

My 11-year-old son and I read this book this summer, and we really really enjoyed it. He said it was his favorite book of all the ones we've read so far, and he asked if we could get the second book. I would highly recommend this book for young readers.

Quick delivery in great condition thanks

Che storia incredibile! Ho comprato il libro per le illustrazioni di Jon Klassen, sono rimasta conquistata dalla storia. Adatto a qualsiasi età e a qualsiasi lettore voglia emozionarsi insieme a Peter e Pax.

Amazing

A poignant story about a a boy and his pet fox. He is dealing with several losses in his life and his journey to find his pet, begins the healing.

The book looks like a fake copy, quality very bad, can help solve the issue? Look at the picture above.