The problem with waiting a long time for a sequel, is that some of the magic gets lost along the way. I loved the first Pax book, but I couldn't recreate the conditions while reading this book. It was good, but just not as magical as Pax.

A year has passed since Peter, now 13, was forced to release his beloved pet fox Pax into the wild when his father decided to join in the war that was happening. Now, the war is over and Peter has returned to Vola, a former soldier with a prosthetic leg who had taken him in after he was injured while looking for Pax.
During the year after his release, Pax had finally found his place with Bristle and her younger brother Runt. And now Pax had a family of his own after Bristle gave birth to three kits, two males and one female, a curious vixen who immediately became her father's favorite, the one towards whom he feels most protective. But when Pax decides his family needs to find a new, safer home, he and the little vixen set out to find one. Those they face many dangerous obstacles, the worst is the contaminated water that makes Pas's daughter very sick.

Peter, meanwhile, has learned that his father did not survive the war. Now an orphan, he decides to join the Junior section of the Water Warriors, a group whose purpose is to "repurpose the training, the equipment, and the workforce of the military to repair the damage done in the war" and kids could help to clean the now contaminated water.

As Pax and his increasingly ill daughter make their way back to Bristle, Peter, filled with guilt, realizes he must face his past and stay in his childhood home, then stand in the spot where he let Pax go and later lost his father. Embarking on their respective journeys home, Peter and Pax each faces obstacles and choices that could change their lives forever. Peter's journey could be one of redemption, Pax's journey one of forgiveness. But does Peter have the courage to do what he must do? And will Pax be able make a desperate decision to try to say his daughter's life?

Pennypacker has kept to the same format as the first book, telling Peter and Pax's respective stories in alternating chapters. Reader's of Book #1 know that Pax is not an anthropomorphized fox (which would definitely have spoil the whole ambiance of the books). Instead, Pennypacker has again used italicized words to represent the "vocalization, gesture, scent, and expression of fox communication.

Whereas Pax is a wartime story, Pax, Journey Home is a post war story, and includes all the useless destruction and loss war brings. And while Peter is seeking personal redemption, he is also redeeming the land that was destroyed by soldiers like his father. And what of the wonderful Volo, who has taught Peter so much about rebuilding his body and his life, she's still there and waiting for Peter to find home.

I didn't really expect there would be a sequel to Pax, but I'm glad there is. I didn't realize I wanted closure after finishing book #1 until I finished the perfectly titled Pax, Journey Home.

This sequel to Pax will leave an imprint on your heart. I loved the continuation of Peter’s and Pax’s story. Have the tissues handy!

Sara Pennypacker's book, Pax, was a favourite among my children, for it's well-developed, empathetic characters, both human and animal. The dual story line gave a broader scope to the story and pulled the reader in, cheering on both of the main characters. We were excited to see the sequel, Pax, Journey Home. The book pulls readers right back into the story, prolonging the original experience of Pax. While the sequel is hard-pressed to compete with its predecessor, fans will still be delighted to read it.

Disclaimer: A copy of the books was provided by the publisher.

I loved Pax, Journey Home, written by Sara Pennypacker. I read this with my son and we both really enjoyed it. The story is about Pax (same character as before) and how he is trying to find home. I highly recommend this book to middle grade students and teachers. Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my opinions.

Pax Pax Pax…. I loved the book and I loved the sequel. As a middle school teacher, it opens the door for many conversations with kids about loss and about finding your “home”. Thank you for the ARC

Pax, Journey Home is the long-awaited sequel to Pax and is an inspiring and hopeful story about the importance of family and how love can be the ultimate healer.

Pax, Journey Home is the second book about Pax and Peter. Peter has lost his parents and Pax. To protect himself against more painful loss, he attempts to harden himself, leave any he feels close to, and not become close to anyone else. He takes a temporary job with the Water Warriors to help heal the land from the ravages of war. In the meantime, Pax and Bristle are raising three kits[, but one falls seriously ill. Read to find out what happens to Pax and his family and how Peter’s heart begins to heal.

I read and enjoyed the first story of the series, Pax, and I looked forward to reading this sequel. However, it took me a while to get into it and past Peter’s hardening. I stuck with it and eventually, all came to a satisfying conclusion. I recommend this book to upper elementary and middle school students. With some of the issues Peter is dealing with, it may be harder for some less mature students to relate to or handle Peter's issues.

I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this children’s book.

Pax was an instant classic for myself and for the many readers I encounter at the library, and I know that Pax. Journey Home will be a great continuation of this sweet story. Once again Sarah Pennypacker has written a novel that is compelling and a sometimes sad tale. Not to be forgotten are the always wonderful illustrations by Jon Klassen, another author and illustrator that readers adore. I can't recommend Pax enough!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I didn't read the first book in this series and I thought it was a picture book when I originally chose it, but it is a beautiful story.

I loved this book even more than the first one! The complex family relationships in the human world and the deep emotional bonds in the animal world left me in tears. Sara Pennypacker is a must-read for me now and I can't wait for her next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Clearly, the most obvious comparison between the original Pax and this one, is the difference in their endings. Pax had what many would describe as a deeply unsatisfying ending, while Pax Journey Home offered much more closure in all aspects of Peter and Pax's lives. I enjoyed the descriptions of the interactions between Pax and his fox family, particularly his spunky vixen, though I felt like Peter's chapters were a bit slow moving. I liked how Peter and Pax's storylines intertwined, and how Peter felt like his relationship with Pax had come full circle. However, even with the more "acceptable" ending, I still preferred the original Pax, as I felt the story and the characters were stronger.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.

If I am being honest, the first Pax book left me feeling somewhat dissatisfied. I wanted to know more, understand more, and have more information about Peter and the war that took his father from him. The sequel to Pax was one where I felt completely invested and desperately wanting to read more.

The story begins a year after Peter said goodbye to Pax in the woods. Told in alternating narrative between Peter and Pax, Peter is now coming to terms with all that he has lost and trying to stay detached from others in order to reduce his future pain. Pax is thrown into life with a family and the responsibilities that come with keeping a fox family safe, protected, and fed.

The story reconnects Peter and Pax in a way that will have the reader considering bigger world issues including environmental impact caused by humans while also reflecting on the importance of friendship and family when facing devastating personal loss.

A fantastic follow-up to Pax 1, this will be a satisfying sequel for kids who joined Peter and Pax on their original journey.

Very good story about a desolate but determined young man who has lost his family and the his fox. The boy learns from everyone around him although it takes a while to realize it Beautifully written from the boys and the foxes point of view.

This sequel to Pax is a wonderful story of healing and the power of love. The characters from the first story all reappear and some new characters are introduced. Readers will want to have read the first book before starting this one.

What a wonderfully satisfying sequel! I am thrilled by Sara Pennypacker's decision to continue this beautiful and heart wrenching story. Excellent!

In the long awaited sequel to <u>Pax</u> Pax & Peter find themselves picking up the pieces of their shattered lives one year after the events of the first book. Pax now has a family of his own to take care of, while Peter begins creating his new version of a family. When their paths cross again, a life-altering decision must be made by both boy and fox.

Just as emotionally taut as its prequel, <u>Journey Home</u> explores the definition of family. The one we're born with and the ones we build. Filled with heart, fans of <u>Pax</u> will definitely appreciate this sequel.

I cried through most of "Pax", so I don't know why I thought things would be any different this time around. The story of a boy and his fox continues with Pax starting a family of his own, working hard to keep them safe from predators, people, and the devastating effects of the war on the land. Peter is still living with Vola, but is restless and decides to join up with a group working to decontaminate waterways damaged by war. Pax and Peter's paths eventually bring them back together and it is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Pennypacker has a gift for showing readers not just people's but animal's deepest thoughts and emotions. Be prepared to feel all the feelings and finish this one feeling a little bereft when it is over. I will definitely be picking up a finished copy of this one for my collection.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in return for a fair and honest review.

I often find that sequels can be a little disappointing but not this one! Sara Pennypacker skillfully builds tension in the story alternating between Pax & Peter's voices. It was almost unbearable at times - I wanted to skip ahead to see if Peter and Pax are ever reunited. Peter has suffered several significant losses in his young life and has to process his grief - sometimes not in the most productive way - to find his new normal/life. I'm not going to include any spoilers. I highly recommend it!
If you haven't read Pax, you need to!! Excellent novel for 4th-6th graders.

I absolutely loved this book! While reading it I kept thinking of all the rich conversations I would have with my students if I were still in the classroom. Like the first book, Pax, this book draws you in and tears at your heart. It is perfectly suited for a read aloud because of the cliffhangers and great moral points to discuss. If you have an opportunity to read this, read it and then share it with a young person in your life.