Pax
Ratings36
Average rating4.1
4.5 stars. Some books for younger readers feel more like they're written for adults from the lens of youth. One of the most interesting and heartwrenching books I've read about war, adolescence, and what it means to be wild.
I understand the ending but also: working up until that final point to then undo it?
(super vague review because I don't want to spoil)
This was such a creative story. I did get a little emotional in parts. I know it's made for young people but I feel it was too violent and graphic for the kids that this book would appeal to
Oye, this book! All the feels! Prepare your Kleenex! So good. Quality middle grade fiction right here.
A boy. A fox. A father who has enlisted in a sudden war.
The boy releases his fox into the wild and immediately regrets it. He sneaks away from his grandfather's house to attempt to reunite with the fox. In the process he breaks his leg and meets up with a woman with her own set of issues stemming from a war. The fox, too, meets up with new companions and his own set of adventures.
All this with suitably mysterious illustrations by the wonderful Jon Klassen.
While the pacing could use a little work, I very much appreciate the straightforward portrayal of anxiety, PTSD, grief, etc. in this book. Some adult readers may feel the things Peter manages to do are way beyond what a pre-teen is capable of, but I think the target audience will love his journey and find it more believable. There's a tiny hint of magical realism that I feel makes all the more unbelievable things fit into the atmosphere of the story. I liked the end, but I wish there had been just a little more, perhaps one more perspective change.
The fox has shown itself in my life (in some form) every single day so far this year. I have been trying to understand the message it has to share with me. It's been wild...
And maybe, just maybe, that's the message I am to take away. I've been tamed, but am meant to live in the wild unknown. (Aka I am not meant for conventional living yet that's exactly what I've convinced myself to do. Again. It's no wonder my spirit is barely hanging on at the moment.)
When I stumbled upon this book at the grocery store, I took a photo and then downloaded it on Libby when I got home. I was instantly taken in by the author's note of fox communication and the epigraph: Just because it isn't happening here doesn't mean it isn't happening.
The story of connection, division, resiliency, and rising though and from pain was both beautiful and tragic at times. The symbolism was exquisite. The backdrop of war showcased the battles we have within ourselves, with others, with life, and with nature. Besides the relationship between the preteen main character, Peter, and Pax, the fox he raised since it was a kit, the relationship between Peter and “the weird old woman in the woods” was my favourite. It tugged at my heartstrings while I learned from both of them.
There were many storylines to explore and if I was still an elementary school teacher/librarian, this is a book I would read with (and provide meaningful assignments/projects/activities for) students in grade 3, 4, and 5.
It gutted me in the best way.