Pax Review

Title: Pax
Author: Sara Pennypacker
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Series: Not Applicable
Publisher: Blazer and Bray
Publication Date: 02 February 2016
Source: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Format: Paperback
Pages: 278
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Reading Timeline: 17 July 2017










Goodreads Synopsis:

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed, and 'his boy' Peter rescued him from abandonment and certain death. Now the war front approaches, and when Peter's father enlists, Peter has to move in with his grandpa. Far worse than being forced to leave home is the fact that Pax can't go. Peter listens to his stern father - as he usually does - and throws Pax's favourite toy solider into the woods. When the fox runs to retrieve it, Peter and his dad get back in the car and leave him there - alone. But before Peter makes it through even one night under his grandfather's roof, regret and duty spur him to action; he packs for a treat to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. 

Book Review:
Pre-reading Thoughts:

I have heard quite a bit about this book. People say that it is brilliant and heartwarming, but I have also from people who I trust that this isn't worth all of the hype. So I am a bit worried but I guess we will see with time what I come to! I requested this book, knowing that it was going to be a bit sad and knowing that it was middle grade. But I love foxes so I couldn't really not request it. I am interested to see what story will be told!

As always, thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers who feed my craving for books! Just a small disclaimer for those who are reading this review. I have received it for free in exchange for an honest review. No money on my behalf has been spent in receiving this book. Please note that this in no way affects my opinion. All thoughts are my own.

Writing Thoughts:

The story is told from two perspectives. Which you should be wary of if you do not enjoy multiple perspectives. The author is quite descriptive and tends to love her adjectives in this book. I think it really helps the target audience to envision the surroundings of the characters. This book is directed towards a middle grade audience and it is clear that the author had that in mind. The writing is simplistic and easy to read.

Plot Thoughts:

The perspective of the fox and the perspective of the boy. I often preferred the perspective of the fox. There just seemed to be a lot more emotion when it came to the foxes story. There also seemed to be a lot more happening with the fox than the young boy. This lead to me anticipating the perspective of the fox and me rushing through the boy's perspective. But overall, the story was heartfelt and really great to read. It definitely contains some underlying messages of what is good and what is wrong. The ending, however, was a little underwhelming.

Character Thoughts:

I thought this characters where so cute. They were so dedicated to one another and what I believe to be well rounded considering that they were uncomplicated characters. They learnt things about themselves because of their time apart and seemed to grow from it.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, this story was what I expected it to be as well as not what I expected it to be. There were some moments that I will always treasure in this book. I also thought that the representation and illustrations of the characters where well done. It was clear to see that this was a middle grade story because of the way in which the author wrote but it did not hinder on the story. I highly recommend this book to fellow fox lovers because they are so cute! A huge thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book to review. I enjoyed myself a lot!

Yours in Reading,

Melleny

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