Pax: A Beautifully Illustrated Novel of Love, Loss, and the Unexpected Friendship Between a Young Boy and a Fox

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 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 I gave 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!

This is not an illustrated book, rather a book with a few chapter heading type illustrations. I was disappointed as Klassen is one of my favorite illustrators.

Bought this because I have a thing for animal books and also wartime stories. The bond between the boy and his Fox is relatable to anyone who has ever had a beloved pet, but the added themes of war and what it costs the average citizen mentally and emotionally, are what make this a really memorable book. The theme of "war making you forget who you are at your core" is something everyone should consider. I've read that this book was banned in some places for younger kids for being "too depressing/violent", but as someone who read Watership Down at the age of 12, this is quite tame by comparison. There are depressing themes, and some violence (mainly between wild animals), but war is a real thing that real people live through and this is a relatively tame depiction of it. I would personally recommend it to anyone around middle school age or older.

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.

This is a young adult book, but I guarantee it is also a beloved and entertaining read for you regardless of age. For me, now in retirement, it was not only a lovely story but it brought back fond memories of youth, and the innocent, positive perspective of life and the world that has not yet been spoiled. In simple terms, it is the story of a 12 year old boy and his pet Fox, "Pax." He rescued Pax from the wild when the mother and her other babies were killed, so Pax grew up knowing nothing, beyond instinct, about life in the wild, The two have a very special relationship. The story is told in alternating chapters by the boy and Pax. Briefly, the plot centers around the boy's Father (his mother is dead), is going off to (an unexplained) "war", and the boy must live with his grandfather, and the Father makes him turn Pax loose in the wild. The story is all about the boy taking it upon himself to go and find Pax. It is a simple, but beautiful story, and for those of you prone to get misty-eyed I guarantee you will have many moments of same as you read this book. It is not a long book, made even shorter by the fact you can't put it down, but thoroughly enjoyable and, without spoiling anything, has an appropriate and satisfying ending. I highly recommend for all readers, regardless of age.

This is a children's book (ages 11-13) about a boy and his fox. Peter has raised Pax from when Pax was a few weeks old. He has not survived on his own. Peter has come to depend on Pax for love after the death of his mother. The two are separated when the boy's father drops the fox into the woods then drives the boy to live with his paternal grandfather as the father prepares to enlist in a war. The chapters are told from the fox's point of view, then from the boy's. I enjoyed how Pennypacker used the sense of smell to describe the events taking place for Pax. The boy and Pax share a mystical bond which can happen when someone is dependent upon another and loses them. I loved how interesting the writing was. Each of the characters must grow and change in order to find the other. This book invites discussion. I would use it for a school book report or for a homeschool. There's an older woman who helps Peter on his journey who sprinkles "words of wisdom" which are particularly thought-provoking. The fox has to learn to get along with other foxes and Peter has to learn to get along without Pax. Peter also has to wrestle with feelings of loss regarding events surrounding the loss of his mother. The father's role in the war raises ethical questions which affect everyone. This is one of the only books for this age where the protagonist worries that he is developing angers and fears that will lead to his developing behaviors like his parent. Pennypacker has written a great book with moments of triumph and periods of defeat. There were a few cliff-hangers which I found clumsy, but overall, I enjoyed everything about the book. It reminded me of the adventurous spirit found in My Side of the Mountain, but Pax is much better written.