Pax by Sara Pennypacker

This book has only recently been published in paperback and I’ve just finished reading it.
It is advertised as being for 9+ but I think it tackles some themes that might be more suitable for readers older than Year 4/5. Although readers who enjoy animal stories (and especially Michael Morpurgo fans) would probably like this book, be warned that there are some upsetting moments in it.

In the midst of a war which is intensifying, Peter is forced by his father to abandon the fox he has raised from a cub (Pax) just as his father leaves to become a soldier. Since his mother has died, Peter is sent to live with his grandfather who, like Peter’s father, seems prone to outbursts of anger. Peter soon decides he has made a terrible mistake and that Pax will never survive in the wild alone so he runs away, determined to save his fox. During his journey, he faces some huge physical and emotional challenges.

The book follows the story of Peter and Pax from their own perspectives in successive chapters: Pax narrates the challenges of the forest, the threat from humans, and his adaptation to life as a wild fox whilst Peter’s story tells us of his journey and the people he meets on his way.

If anyone has read this or reads this in the future, it would be interesting to hear what you think.