Pax by Sara Pennypacker (Epub)

Description

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. . . .

User’s Reviews

From School Library Journal Gr 4–7—A viscerally affecting story of war, loss, and the power of friendship. Pennypacker, author of the exuberant “Clementine” series (Disney-Hyperion) and the charmingly morbid Summer of the Gypsy Moths (HarperCollins, 2012), here displays not only her formidable writing skills and a willingness to stretch her storytelling into increasingly complex narrative forms but also her ability to tackle dark and weighty themes with sensitivity and respect for the child reader. Set in an intentionally undefined time and place that could very well be a near-future America, the novel opens with a heartbreaking scene of a tame red fox, Pax, being abandoned at the side of the road by his beloved boy, Peter. Perspectives alternate between the boy and the fox, and readers learn that a terrible war rages in this land. Peter’s father is about to leave for the frontlines, and while he’s away, Peter must live with his grandfather out in the country—and his father makes it clear that there is no place for Pax in Peter’s temporary home. Almost as soon as he arrives at his grandfather’s, Peter is overcome with guilt, and he sets off under the cover of darkness to trek the 300 miles back to his home, where he prays he’ll find Pax. The loyal fox, meanwhile, must figure out how to survive in the wild—though never losing hope that his boy will return for him. As the protagonists struggle to reunite in a world in the grip of violence and destruction, they each find helpers who assist them on their respective journeys: Peter breaks his foot and is rehabilitated by Vola, a hermit suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, while Pax is taken in by a leash of foxes who teach him the basics of foraging and hunting. Pennypacker doesn’t shy away from some of the more realistic aspects of war, though she keeps most of the violence slightly off-screen: in one scene, the wild foxes define war for the naive Pax as a “human sickness” that causes them to turn on their own kind, akin to rabies; later, as the battle creeps closer, several creatures are maimed and killed by land mines. Black-and-white drawings by Klassen offer a respite for readers, while adding to the haunting atmosphere.With spare, lyrical prose, Pennypacker manages to infuse this tearjerker with a tender hope, showing that peace and love can require just as much sacrifice as war. VERDICT A startling work of fiction that should be read—and discussed—by children and adults alike.—Kiera Parrott, School Library Journal Review “Pax the book is like Pax the fox: half wild and wholly beautiful.” — New York Times Book Review“Moving and poetic.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Pennypacker’s expert, evenhanded storytelling reveals stunning depth in a relatively small package.” — Booklist (starred review)“In an exceptionally powerful, if grim story, Pennypacker does a remarkable job of conveying the gritty perspective of a sheltered animal that must instantly learn to live in the wild.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A startling work of fiction that should be read-and discussed-by children and adults alike.” — School Library Journal (starred review)“An emotional, thought-provoking story of conflict, loyalty, and love.” — The Horn Book“Sometimes an author steps aside from a popular series to break new ground, as evidenced in this arresting novel, at once a wilderness adventure about survival and a philosophical foray into big questions.” — San Francisco Chronicle“Pennypacker’s elegant language and insight into human nature spin a fable extolling empathy above all. By the novel’s poignant ending, Pennypacker has gently made the case that all of us should aspire to that view—children and adults alike.” — Time magazine“Searingly honest and heartbreakingly lovely, Pax is, quite simply, a masterpiece.” — Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan“A sweeping and enchanting wartime story of trust, loyalty, betrayal, and the love of a boy for the fox he’s raised since he was a kit. A master storyteller, Pennypacker leads the reader along a path of shifting hopes to the story’s heart-wrenching conclusion.” — Ann M. Martin, Newbery Honoree, author of Rain Reign

Reviews from Amazon users, collected at the time the book is getting published on UniedVRG. It can be related to shiping or paper quality instead of the book content:

⭐ This book was terrible. I cannot fathom why it received good reviews. It’s set in what I assume is a dystopian future in which the country is at war, although this is not specifically stated. Alternating chapters are told from the perspective of the boy and the fox. The fox’s chapters are really dull–as you might expect, being inside a fox’s head is not that interesting. The book in general is Really, Really dark: dead parents, severed limbs, war, gore, guilt, you name it. I kept waiting for a bright, uplifting event to make all this misery worthwhile, but it didn’t come. The end was abrupt and disappointing. A lot of the language is way too sophisticated for 8-12 year olds. Here’s a typical sentence: “It hung between grief and yearning, and it welled from a deep ache for something that Pax could never divine.” I read it to my 9 and 12 year old, and I changed words as I read so they would understand. We all wanted to stop reading by the midway point, but we finished on principle. I cringed to have to subject them to such a thankless story. It gives kids’ books a bad name. There are good, smart, thought-provoking books that are ALSO entertaining and fun. This is not one of them. If you want your kids to like books, don’t make them read this.

⭐ I’m not much of a fiction reader, especially “kid” fiction. My library is pretty much military history, but when I stumbled across this book on Amazon and saw all the great reviews I thought I would give it a read. I don’t very often wonder off the beaten track of military history and the last time I did I was well rewarded with the great book All The Light We Cannot See, so I thought I would take a chance on Pax. I have to say that Pax was one of those books that you feel sorry for people who have never read it. I cannot recommend this book enough. I will be reading it to my younger grandkids, passing it on to my older grandkids and I’ll be giving it away to friends and family. Don’t miss this one. The rave reviews you see here are rave for a reason. This is one outstanding and very, very special book. So glad I stumbled upon it while surfing around Amazon books. If I could give it ten stars I would.

⭐ I’m an almost 60 year old man. My wife bought this book from because I love foxes. It’s a beautifully written story. Have a box of tissues nearby. It has a proper ending. I won’t say anything else about the story other than I enjoyed the journey immensely.

⭐ One of the best books I’ve read in my life. I bought it for my daughter and chose to “pre read” it for appropriateness…. Made my husband read it before we passed it on to the kids. We both agree it will be a classic. Do not second guess this purchase! Beautifully written. The perfect hero’s adventure, in Joseph Campbell’s words. When my 8 year old finished it, tears were pouring down her face, and when I started to wonder if I should have let her read it, she described how much she loved the characters and how sad she was the story was over. Truly wonderful read.

⭐ I got this book because my son loves foxes and it seemed like a lovely story. But the picture attached shows the exact moment he couldn’t take it anymore and refused to read this book.The story is told well but unfortunately it is too graphic where perhaps it shouldn’t be. Maybe the description should be more specific about age or developmental recommendations.From the begining , the book was sad with the death of the mother. My 9 y.o. didn’t like it but we talked through it. I am not in the camp of overprotecting kids from any emotional inconvenience. I really like the book so far but this gruesome part was too much for him as he loves animals. He might give it another shot but will stop the second another violent scene like this is detailed.

⭐ 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.

⭐ A truly beautiful book however I think kids should be over 10 prior to reading it. It’s message is powerful and at times very unsettling. I loved it and am wildly thinking of people I can buy it for (both adults and chikdren)

⭐ I’ve been a teacher for 13 years and I’m currently teaching 4th grade. I chose this book because of my love for animals. This book was introduced to me through the Global Read Aloud (GRA). My students loved this book and so did I. It teaches of responsibility, courage, love, and sacrifice. I hated for the book to end .

⭐ Bought it for my 10 yr old. Both me and my son loved the book a lot. Fantastic narration about relationships, courage, kindness. I loved the interaction between Vola and Peter. The characters inspired each other. And Pax was awesome too.. I had great time explaining some great literature like “Two but not Two” to my son. My son picked this as his school reading project and made a gift and greeting card for Peter to cheer him up!!

⭐ The concept of Pax is really intriguing. My heart felt for both Pax and his boy Peter; as the story progressed. The fact that both having a voice was really wonderful; the reader is able to watch the growth of both Peter and Pax as they lived through what was going on in their lives. The story is very well written.However some distance in to the book had me wondering how old a child would read this story and not be upset by events transpiring. I went back to see the ‘suggested’ age for children and thought that kid must have a strong support system. The subject matter almost had me stop reading because I wasn’t sure if this ended bad that I wanted to know.Perhaps I misread the blurb, but I assumed it was about a father joining the military and not that war was rampant where the story took place.

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