Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Reviewed by Ashley

In the book Pax by Sara Pennypacker, Peter and his pet fox, Pax, are best friends. Even though all seems perfect in Peter’s life, one day troublesome news hits him like a ton of bricks: Peter’s father enlists in the army because of an upcoming war, and Peter is forced to move to his grumpy grandfather’s house, which is unspeakably small. Even worse, he has to return Pax to the woods, for the fox is “too much trouble for the family.” But after only one night without his pet, Peter immediately regrets his decision to abandon the fox, so he escapes from his grandfather’s house and tries to find Pax again. The boy and fox set out on a miraculous adventure to find each other, forming a bond of love and family as they go along.

One reason why Pax is my absolute favorite book is because it had so many touching (both sad and happy) moments. For example, at the end of the novel when the two finally reunite, Pax licks the boy’s face and nuzzles him, while Peter picks the fox up and hugs him tight. This action proves that they have an amazing relationship and shows how much they both care for each other. Also, a good example of a melancholy moment is at the beginning of the book, when Peter’s grandfather’s truck speeds away and leaves a bewildered, lonely Pax in the woods with no protection. Even if you are not the emotional type, you should still read this book because there are many other parts that are enjoyable for everyone!

Another reason why I really liked this book is because it was so suspenseful. On every page there was a new mystery and a new solution! This amazing novel kept me on the edge of my seat, and I just couldn’t put it down until I was done reading. In my opinion, the most suspenseful part of Pax is when Peter runs in the dark, trips, and injures his foot badly. The thing is, he can’t find a doctor, because, well—he can’t move, and he is too hurt to yell for help! I didn’t know if he would be eaten by a pack of coyotes, found by police officers, or rescued by someone. There were so many twists and turns in this book, which made it super interesting to read!

Pax by Sara Pennypacker is the best book ever! It immediately caught my eye even though it was surrounded by a lot of other novels on the bookshelf. Starting from the first page to the last, this book tells a wonderful story and gives many positive messages to readers, like how you should never give up despite challenges that come your way. Many scenes (like when the mother fox is grooming her baby) are a little girly, but others (when a deer walks onto a mine and gets blown up to pieces) are suitable for boys, too. I would definitely rate this novel a 10/10 and recommend it to anyone who loves mystery, action, or animal-loving books. If you have free time, be sure to check Pax out from your local library!

Deckle Edge, 224 pages