Pax
Sara Pennypacker, Jon Klassen
Subjects
- Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
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. 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’.
Reviews
Superb, though sad, story about a boy and his tame fox trying to reunite in wartime.
JKenjo
An absolutely beautiful book. There are are so many thought-provoking threads to the story. The ending was arguably a little rushed, but I still think it is one of the best books I have read this year. I would highly recommend to both children and adults.
HelenMelon2
A good story for older readers. I enjoyed the alternating characters from the viewpoint of Pax and Peter that showed the effect of the war on both humans and animals alike. It was an enjoyable read but took me a bit of time to get really in to the story. Great study of wild animals and their survival in the wild
sean23_e
Recommended read. Interesting storyline!
zoejackman3
Really enjoyed the narrative style, in-depth characters and observations. Interesting choice to set it in an undisclosed, near-future time period.
mrspotter
The quest for a boy to be re-united with the fox he rescued as a young kit, set against the backdrop of an un-named but recognisably American setting, with an unidentified war taking place on the periphery of the story. Sarah Pennypacker alternates the viewpoint of the novel with each chapter, so we get to know the thoughts of both Peter, the boy, and Pax, the abandoned fox. Abandonment is one of the themes, with Peter having lost his mother in a car accident a few years before, and at the start of the story having been left with his grandfather by his father who has joined the forces fighting the war. Both Pax and Peter seem alone. One of the best features of the story is the relationship he makes with Vola on his journey to find Pax, which helps them both in numerous ways. By the end of the novel we have seen Vola, Peter and Pax all undergo significant changes, leading to the inevitable denouement. This would be a great story to read with children in Year 4/5.
Shell68
I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the emotion and lessons that Peter and Vila learnt. It’s even more relevant with the war in Ukraine and the destruction that war can cause.
RobFirth
Wow! What a story. Duel-told through the fox and the boy, this is a devastating story of nature and nurture, and the strong relationships humans forge with their pets. Beautiful!
My favourite children’s book! Written in alternate chapters from the boy and the fox’s point of view, this book tells the story of a boy’s journey to be reunited with his pet fox after war has forced them to be separated. Peter meets an usual woman, Vola, who looks after him after he suffers a nasty injury. She is also living with the impact of war. Peter helps Vola just as much as she helps him on his road to recovery I order to complete his journey to be reunited with Pax.
Librarykeeper
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
MichelleMc
Beautifully written dual narrative of a boy and his fox split up by war and their personal journeys to try and find each other again.
KirstenF
A beautifully moving tale written from two alternating perspectives of Peter and his fox ‘Pax’. It is a story all about hope, love and loss.
dcooke
I really liked the sensitivity of the writing about the feelings of the main character, Peter and his search for his pet fox, Pax. It is also great at capturing the experience of Pax, how he felt about his owner and how he experiences other animals and humans as he tries to find his way back to Peter. The character, Peter, has many issues to deal with: the death of his mother, his father going to war and leaving him with his grandfather and his separation from his fox. Through the course of the novel, Peter learns how to come to terms with these changes in his life and make peace with himself. This book would be great for any nature or animal lover and is very sweetly told from the alternating perspectives of Pax and Peter.
janetm1874
Pax is a beautiful story of Peter and his beloved pet fox, Pax, who have been forced apart by war. Unable to accept that Pax is gone for good, Peter sets out to find his friend in a country being torn apart, and in doing so, discovers friendship, hardship and an instinct to survive against all odds. This heart-warming story is a glorious journey of emotions for young an old alike.
I picked this up expecting a warm and fuzzy story about foxes - instead this is a look at the wildness of nature and the brutality of humans. The story of Pax discovering how to rely on his senses instead of humans is absolutely gripping, and the parallel story of Peter trying to find him again, is a powerful reflection on love, loss and loneliness.
liberryan
Liked the way the narrative is constructed from the boy's and the foxes point of view. Interesting chatacters against a background of war. Ending works well. One for older primary.
Elli12
A dyableman fine book. A great story intertwining the journeys of Pax and Peter and exploring the powerful bonds that can form between children and animals.
MsT
Loved it. I was involved and engaged in both their stories all the way through to the end.
rmcdonald