Book Details:
- Written by Sara Pennypacker
- Illustrated by Jon Klassen
- Published September 7, 2021
- Publisher: Balzer + Bray, An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
- Ages 8-12
- Sequel to Pax
- Young Reader/Fiction/Adventure/Friendship/Animals
Inside Flap Synopsis:
It’s been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives.
Pax and his mate, Bristle, have welcomed a litter of kits they must protect in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter—newly orphaned after the war, racked with guilt and loneliness—leaves his adopted home with Vola to join the Water Warriors, a group of people determined to heal the land from the scars of the war.
When one of Pax’s kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing—and each other, once again.
From award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love.
Books I want to read because of this book:
- The Fox and the Hound – Daniel P. Mannix
WARNING:
If you have not read this book and don’t wish to have the story spoiled please turn away now
My Thoughts:
I read Pax, the fist book in this children’s duology, in the summer of 2023. The book was an instant favorite and knowing that there was a sequel I immediately purchased it; however, it took me some time to actually read the second book, Pax, Journey Home.
The books are wonderfully written and the story about a boy and his fox navigating through war torn territory is compelling. I think it took me some time to finish the duology because stories about war are very hard for me to get through, they take a big emotional toll. Despite that, I’m glad to have finally read Pax, Journey Home and definitely would recommend the duology.
Successful Storytelling Elements
I like to read all kinds of books and believe that as a writer there is special merit in reading and enjoying what are deemed children’s books. I find that often there is a poetic quality to the prose and the simpler, more direct storytelling approach is a gem that has many lessons to offer all kinds of writers. With that said, the following are some storytelling elements in Pax, Journey Home that I greatly enjoyed and felt contributed to its ability to tell a great story.
In the interest of noting various points I go into each element I list only briefly as a means to highlight the point rather than doing a deep dive into it because otherwise this post could go on and on.
- Repetition
This story is largely about a boy (Peter) who in the wake of war has lost everything including his home, parents, and beloved pet fox. It is a devastating situation that would traumatize anyone and he is no exception. As a result throughout this book he is trying to harden himself as a means to protect himself from future heartbreak. His aim is encapsulated perfectly by the statement, “Do it. Walk away. Don’t look back.” which is repeated over and over throughout the book.
This simple yet clear statement lets readers know that Peter is trying to keep others out, keep anything from coming to close to his heart. It’s a sentiment that cuts like a knife – short, quick, brutal.
- Water Motif/Symbol
Water plays an important role in this story as it is important for life and unfortunately has been poised because of the war. Cleaning the water becomes Peter’s story mission. Water then becomes an in important motif showing up again and again throughout the story and ultimately saves as a symbol of emotional health and restoration after a devastating period.
Vola tells Peter to make sure and fill his cup at every opportunity which has the double meaning of actually ensuring he gets clean water to drink but also meaning that he should connect with joy and others at every opportunity. Poisoned water is what makes Pax’s daughter sick and is what brings him and his boy Peter together again.
- Allusion to The Fox and the Hound
This might just be me but while reading this story I was reminded of the movie The Fox and the Hound and discovered that there is a book by the same title written by Daniel P. Mannix which I wish I could read but can’t seem to find any affordable copies of anywhere. Hopefully the book gets republished someday.
- Character Foiling
It is so lovely the way different characters echo each other. Peter’s desire to harden up and no be emotionally vulnerable stems from his father and grandfather. Peter then starts to act like his grandfather, even toward his own fox. Vola, Runt, and Sliver (Pax’s daughter) have all been hurt physically by the war (their legs have been affected). Pax ends up leaving his daughter with Peter in an effort to protect her kind of like how Peter’s dad said it was ok for him to be with Vola since it was a safe place for him. Jade and Samuel have some similarities with his parents and kind of act like a type of parental figure to Peter for a short while.
- Multiple POV Narrative
The story is told from Peter and Pax’s point of view. Doing so helps keep the chapters short and to the point while keeping the story entertaining since it freshens things up with each change of point of view. Also having the switch between the two characters helps build momentum to Peter and Pax’s great meeting moment by the mill, the place where a lot of pain took place and where transformative healing ultimately ends up happening.
- Illustrations
The illustrations in this book are such a treat. Reading through the pages and finally getting to one of them is wonderful as it really brings the story to life in a different way . Jon Klassen does a great job of capturing the spirit of the story and the characters just look so darn cute. I gotta say I love books with illustrations in them and often wish adult books had more of them as well.
In Conclusion
All right well, that is all for now. Hopefully this provides some food for thought and as always, if you are interested, I would love to hear what you think in the comments section below.
xoxo,
Angelica Sophia
Angelica Sophia 
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