Ages 10+1-min guideAnimalsFriendshipLoss
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker
Read togetherBest for 10 and up, or read together at 9. A beautiful story about a boy and his fox during a war. It includes injuries, animal deaths and grief.
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What it’s about
When his father goes to war, Peter is forced to leave his pet fox, Pax, in the woods. Peter sets out on a long journey to find him, while Pax learns to survive in the wild.
The ending
What might come up
Death and lossA lotPeter’s mother died earlier; a fox is killed by a land mine.
ViolenceA lotLand mines kill animals, and a fox saw her parents clubbed to death.
Big feelingsA lotGrief, guilt and letting go. Peter cuts a fox shape into his arm.
Scary momentsA little
LanguageNone
RomanceNone
Why kids like it
Chapters switch between the boy and the fox.
Free printable quiz
- 1What is Pax?
- 2Why does Peter leave Pax?
- 3Who helps Peter?
- 4What does Peter decide at the end?
