I just finished one of the best books I’ve ever read, and it’s a children’s novel. "Pax," by Sara Pennypacker, is about a young boy named Peter and his pet fox, Pax, being forced to go separate ways when Peter’s father goes off to war and Peter is sent to live with his grandfather. The story is sweet, sad and hopeful. Everyone- no matter their age- should read it.
The conflict is set early in the book. Soon after arriving at his grandfather’s, Peter decides to make the days-long walk back to the forest where he left Pax and take him home; Pax gets the same idea and discovers a whole new world in the woods, he fights hunger and other ailments to find Peter. The story is told in a pattern, with one chapter being in Peter’s point of view, and in Pax’s point of view in the next; you get to see what both characters go through as they attempt to find their way back to one another.
This novel tackles so many important topics while staying in the genre of children’s literature: war, loss of a pet, bravery, friendship, abuse, loss of a parent and trust. It could tell a child going through some of the same things that they are not alone and that there are other people out there enduring the same hardships. It also finds ways to appear lighthearted and hopeful (and seriously so cute) whilst confronting these problems. It reminds the young reader that there is always a reason to keep going. Sara Pennypacker's words are elegant and her metaphors flow beautifully, yet would still be easy for a young reader (14-years-old) to understand her language. It is also easy to sympathize with the main characters.
Peter, the main character of the story, is a headstrong young man dealing with his father being away at war, not knowing if he’ll ever come back. His relationship with his father is not a great one, but Peter finds comfort in the memory of Pax. The people he meets on his journey help him realize that letting go is sometimes the best option. While reading Pax’s chapters, I found myself looking at my pet kitten and falling more and more in love with her tiny face. Pax is adorable and very protective of his boy. He hurts without Peter because he cannot keep his boy safe. He eventually finds friends in three foxes and they all feel the terrors of war in one way or another.
The book left me silently crying in the library, a strange mixture of sad and optimistic tears. Peter matured a lot during the span of the story and Pax found his wild side. Maybe it was the touching nature of the story, the delightful illustrations of Pax, or the hopeful tone that the novel ended on, but I finished this story wanting to be a better person, wanting to be more patient and brave.
Did I mention this was a children’s novel?
