Pax

Synopsis from Goodreads.com

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 favorite toy soldier 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 trek to get his best friend back and sneaks into the night. This is the story of Peter, Pax, and their independent struggles to return to one another against all odds. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Peter and Pax

Review/Comment

I hate this book.

Pax is a fox, somewhat domesticated because his owner Peter picked up him when he was just a kit. But because of war, he has to abandon Pax. In just the opening, I feel sad for Pax because I've already fallen in love with Pax. The moment Pax left to fetch his owner's toy just to find the owner has gone really rips my soul.

Needless to say, the following chapters are breezed through at such fury that I really wanted to know when Pax will be meeting Peter again. Each chapter makes my heart burn. It burns because of the anger, the bravery and the honesty of the characters. Such naivety is mixed with complex responsibilities and conflicting emotions.

If you are able to read this book to your children, be sure to hug them every time a chapter closes. I have never been so emotionally attached to a book like this. The author has pointed out the beauty of nature and human hearts, especially a child's. Although at some point the story turns slow, I believe it is a time for our tiny human hearts to rest and sigh.

Nature and children are always our future.

We live on borrowed time.

It's time to return it.

Farewell.