Pax

Pax Series

Author: Sara Pennypacker

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

Book 1 in the Pax series

Pages: 278

Published: 2016

Age: 8+

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and “his boy” Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter’s father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa.

Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can’t go. Peter listens to his stern father—as he usually does—and throws Pax’s favorite toy soldier into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there—alone.

But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather’s roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night.

This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Peter and Pax.

Recognition:

National Book Award Nominee for Young People's Literature (2016), Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Grades 3-6 (2018), California Young Readers Medal for Intermediate (2018), Great Lakes Great Books Award Nominee for 6th-8th Grade (2018), Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature (2017), William Allen White Children's Book Award (2019), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Middle Grade & Children's (2016), The Magnolia Award Nominee for 6-8 (2018), Hea Lasteraamat (2019)

About the Pax Series

Books in series order

  1. 1.Pax(2016)
  2. 2.Pax, Journey Home(2021)

Reading age: 9+ years

This series should be read in order.

Author Sara Pennypacker has created 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...

Pax is a wonderful choice for independent reading, sharing in the classroom, homeschooling, and book groups.