Reviewed by Dannielle Viera
Peter has not
seen his pet fox, Pax, for a year. The grief entwined with this separation –
and drawn taut by the loss of both of his parents – seals Peter’s heart so
tight that not even a sliver of affection can slip in. Meanwhile, Pax and his
mate have welcomed a trio of kits, so Pax must find a safe place for them to
live away from dangerous humans. Eventually, the paths of Peter and Pax
converge once more. Can Peter face the darkness of his past and move into a
future filled with light and love? And can Pax trust Peter again, especially
now that his female kit is seriously ill?
In this stirring sequel to The New York Times bestselling book Pax, Sara Pennypacker takes her characters on a compelling journey from hurt to healing. Kids aged eight to twelve will adore the rich language that brings this world to life, as well as the underlying theme that explores what it means to be a family. It is helpful but not essential to have read the first book, as Sara weaves the important information from the previous story into the sequel with ease.
Caldecott medalist Jon Klassen provides both the enticing jacket image as well as the atmospheric black-and-white illustrations within the book. The warm browns on the front cover infuse the story with the glow of emotion. Each interior image is placed with purpose and increases the drama found in the surrounding words.
Throughout Peter and Pax’s alternating chapters, the nature of love and the love of nature tumble and rush like a river running its course. When the two protagonists finally come face-to-face, readers are swept away in a flood of joy as both boy and fox discover the restorative power of hope.
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