Review: Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Quick Info:
Book type: Chapter book
Target age: 8-12
Recommended age: 9+
Plot: Due to his father going to war Peter must release his pet fox, Pax into the wild. Feeling guilty Peter embarks on a 300-mile journey to find him on his way he meets Vola, a war veteran living in the woods. Meanwhile, Pax learns to survive in the wild while searching for Peter and makes new friends.
Review
This book is heavy. It explores themes of grief, specifically parental loss and the concept of war and PTSD on veterans. This book jumps out at you at times with heavy topics, but they’re done so well. The dual narrative is exciting and the short chapters make this a good book to read aloud to your child.
Opinion
I really liked this book and would recommend it but be wary of the content for sensitive children. With the concept of war being so common lately I highly suggest this book to be read together, although it can be read independently.
Content
The creole word for damn is used a lot (dyableman)
Mentions of blood, injury and animals fighting might be scary for younger kids
One of the characters talks about her experience after she killed a man (killing isn’t mentioned in detail, it’s more about the shock)
One of the characters makes a “blood pact” by making a slit on their leg with a knife (brief scene and never mentioned again)
Excerpts:
Excerpts from books are a glimpse of the content that is found and are not every instance of un-Islamic and/or “iffy” content. I didn’t find anything in this book to really be worthy of sharing via excerpt so I decided not to make any. If you have any questions about this book specifically feel free to email me!
