This month we feature the book Pax, by Sara Pennypacker. Pax is an emotional novel about a boy, Peter, and his fox, Pax, who are separated during a time of war. In their mission to reunite, these friends are helped by strangers who also teach Peter and Pax important lessons about community, forgiveness, and healing.
One of the reasons that this book is worth reading is for its portrayal of community. Both of the main characters are able to grow in empathy by coming to understand and accept the help of others, rather than focusing only on themselves. Peter’s growth in the story occurs when he sets aside his personal concerns and puts his energy and attention toward helping his new friend Vola. When Pax meets a group of other foxes in the wild, we see, through this former isolated house pet, the importance of good friends and community in helping us to realize our truest self. These are two wonderful lessons for our students, middle schoolers in particular, to learn.
All in all, Pax can be a valuable book for your son or students, making it a worthy pick for the Forum’s Book of the Month series. For more info, read Kyle Blackmer’s review here.
About the author: