Pax - by Sara Pennypacker (Paperback)

About the Book

A National Book Award Longlist title, "New York Times" bestseller, and an Amazon Best Book of the Year for 2016--award-winning author Pennypacker's beautifully wrought, utterly compelling novel about the powerful relationship between a boy and his fox, now in paperback. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

New York Times Bestseller * An Amazon Best Book of the Year * National Book Award Longlist

Finally in paperback! This handsome edition features French flaps.

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. . . .

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

Plus, don't miss Here in the Real World, Sarah Pennypacker's next gorgeous and heartfelt middle grade novel!

Review Quotes

"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)

"Moving and poetic."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Pennypacker's expert, evenhanded storytelling reveals stunning depth in a relatively small package."--Booklist (starred review)

"A book that is as much about dealing with loss as it is about how people change and affect the world around them."An Entertainment Weekly Best Middle Grade Book of 2016--Entertainment Weekly

"Pax the book is like Pax the fox: half wild and wholly beautiful."--New York Times Book Review

"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

"A startling work of fiction that should be read-and discussed-by children and adults alike."--School Library Journal (starred review)

"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

"An emotional, thought-provoking story of conflict, loyalty, and love."--The Horn Book

"Both boy and fox experience the kindness of others even with the backdrop of imminent war." Recommended 2016 Holiday Gift for Tween Readers--Brightly

"Pax is set in an unspecified time and place so that the details of the war are unimportant. What is prime is the graceful but haunting story of boy and fox--their relationship set against man-made chaos."--Columbus Dispatch

"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