This was an absolutely beautiful story. It completely draws you into its world, the characters are wonderful and I love the journey , it’s such an emotional tale the beautiful illustrations just add so much to the story. Stunning sequel

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A spellbinding sequel to the first book. Although this book is a middle grade read I'd recommend it for YA readers and adults too. There are some significant themes dealt with in this book such as grief and depression. However, they are delivered sensitively. A deep, yet heartwarming read.

Thank you #NetGalley for this eARC.

Another wonderful installment in this beautiful story. Once again it tugs at the heartstrings and throw in some unexpected twists and turns. Thoroughly recommend.

Another amazing and heart wrenching story. Extraordinary and emotional tale of survival of both animals and humans,
I loved the first book and this it yet another beautiful and moving poetic prose which carries countless underlying themes and messages that will move the reader deeply.

Several parallel stories are in play throughout the book: Peter's story, the journey to repair the environment, several sub-stories, and that of Pax.

Pax and his family have a voice. This allows us access to the strong feelings and thoughts of the animals, and fully understand the bond between humans and animals.

This was an absolutely beautiful story. I haven't actually read the first story, Pax, but this story really held its own. The main character is a 14 year old called Peter, building his own log cabin on a friend's land after the death of his parents during a war. He joins a group of young people who are trying to physically clean up the polluted water left after the war, and also try to heal himself and his mental trauma. He is scared to love anyone again, particularly after having been forced to leave his befriended fox, Pax, but the story is about how Peter slowly begins to trust other people again - mirrored in the story of Pax who is now grown up with his own kits, and looking for fresh water for his family. It would be an amazing read for children aged 10 up, but holds its own as a fable for adults too. I will be reading Pax!

Having loved ‘Pax’, I was delighted when ‘Journey Home’ was released, eagerly seeking a conclusion to Peter’s, and to Pax’s story. Sara Pennypacker has delivered a superb sequel, at least as good as the original.. As before, she masterfully moves between Peter’s story and Pax’s, and the new characters she introduces, both human and fox, are well crafted and stay long in the memory. The author cleverly leaves the reader guessing, never certain of a good outcome for any character. Best of all, Pennypacker works hard to ensure that her foxes are living, breathing wild animals, not anthropomorphised, their lives not candy coated. This story would be a superb class read aloud, and the quality of the.narrative and the many twists of threat and danger would have the children on the edge of their seats. Peter’s fierce, brave independence will certainly appeal to readers, and Pennypacker handles superbly his attempts to deal with his grief by shutting himself down emotionally. The story concludes beautifully, and I shed tears more than once, moved by the lyrical prose and by the tale Sara Pennypacker has told.
Klassen’s illustrations are, as ever, perfection. His foxes are alive with mischief, spirit, joy and soul. A book to give, receive and treasure.

This is the sequel to Pax, and it was wonderful. It is an excellent follow up, very emotional and moving. Loved the writing as much as the first one. Definitely will read more from this author. Amazing!

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. It's been a year since he found refuge with former soldier Vola and Peter who is now mourning his losses while grappling with feelings of guilt and alienation, embarks upon a journey back to his home with two military veterans who are part of a community calling themselves Water Warriors who work to heal the land from the scars of war. He plans to join the Junior Water Warriors and assist with repurposing wartime machinery, buildings and other infrastructure to reclaim the reservoirs, rivers and waterways that were poisoned throughout the conflict by toxicities. He then plans to live alone separated from the others, as at age 13 he feels he is capable and determined enough to be able to make it work. Meanwhile, Pax mates with Bristle and becomes a devoted father to three beautiful kits. When one of them becomes disabled after drinking poisoned water, Pax searches out Peter to obtain his help in saving the kit from certain death in the wild.

The selfless sacrifices Pax makes as a father to attempt to save the runt of the litter will warm even the coldest heart. This is a truly exquisite tale for adults and children alike, and it alternates between Peter and Pax’s perspectives to depict the struggles they are both currently facing - one as an animal and one as a human. It's tender, emotionally touching and full of intricate details that make the story shine like a gem. It's a deftly nuanced and stunning novel that highlights injustice especially when it comes to the suffering felt by both children and animals during wartime; those who are so often neglected and not taken into account. However, Pennypacker also emphasises the bonds that emerge among those from different backgrounds who come together to fight against a common enemy. This is a captivating, richly engaging read from beginning to bookend that explores the fragility of the human heart and just how powerful friendship and brotherhood can be. As in the original Pax book, award-winning illustrator John Klassen has once again produced delightful imagery for both the cover art and interior pages. Highly recommended.

Hard to fully express just how special this book is. Like her other books, it oozes gentleness and compassion. It is both heart breaking and heart warming. Loved it!

We reunite with old friends, Pax, the fox and young Peter. There's been a gap of time since the first book (Pax) both for the reader and also for the characters..

As in the first book the chapters alternate between Pax and Peter. It takes place in the time, one year, after the war has ended..

Peter is facing difficult emotions arising from events beyond his control. He decides the best way to deal with all of this is to isolate himself and put up "shields" to protect himself. If he can't feel, nothing more can hurt him. In the words of Simon and Garfunkel " and a rock feels no pain and an island never cries " He also decided to join an ecological group who are trying to restore the land after the war and joins the Water Warriors who are going to clean up the rivers and streams from pollution..

Pax meanwhile is protecting his family unsure about the return of humans. He is also unaware of the hidden effects of the war. The author's way of conveying fox communication has always been a joy to read and there are new fox characters too.

Once again both characters go on a journey both geographical and emotional. Can Pax forgive Peter and can Peter forgive himself?

Of course the wonderful Jon Klassen illustrations fit so perfectly and enhance the beauty of this wonderful book.

Pennypacker is a wise and sensitive author who doesn't shy away from difficult feelings and events. She stands by us as a reader (as well as her characters) almost like holding our hand, taking a deep breath and inspiring us with yes you can face this and yes you can do something about it. This philosophy is reflected in the characters of Water Warriors Jade and Samuel , who demonstrate to Peter that love and belief can be powerful tools in life.

The underlying environmental issues arise from the plot naturally and are not "preachy". The author presents them and leaves us to draw our own conclusion.

It's a wonderful, wise book about forgiveness, love and healing.

Just as heart-warming and emotional as the first book. It's a sequel that was well worth the wait! The characters had grown believably and I think this would also read well as a standalone

I loved Pax, the story develops by Pax's family growing and being affected by the dangerous environment created by humans in teh aftermath of war. Pax's 'owner' grows up after war too - he seems hard on himself to deal with the loss of those around him.

I have been desperate for a sequel to Pax. Although the ending of the first book was just about perfect I wanted to know what would happen next to the characters and where their individual lives would lead them. Just like the first book, Sara Pennypacker delivers another gorgeously written read that tugs at the heart strings and is beautifully illustrated by Jon Klassen. I strongly advise having a box of tissues close at hand as tears will be wept.

It has been a year since the war ended and everyone is bearing the scars. After an emotional separation, Peter and Pax are now living separate lives; Pax in an abandoned farm with his pack-mates Bristle, Runt and three newly born kits, Peter in the woods with Vola.

Carrying the heavy burden of losses and wracked with guilt, Peter has decided to leave Vola and join the Water Warriors, a group of do-gooders who clean up the water that was polluted by the war machines. Pax is on his own journey, to find food for the kits who are in desperate need.

Hardened by a cruel world and the losses he has suffered, Peter is unwilling to care or love anything or anyone again. But when Pax comes calling for help, Peter finds out just how hard it is to keep love out…

Touching, tender and bursting with emotion, Pax, The Journey Home is a story about love and trust, forgiveness and overcoming grief, the healing and mending of broken hearts, and ultimately new beginnings. We all experience losses of those we love and care about in life but the story of Peter and Pax is a reminder to us all that it is richer to have loved, lost and grieved than to have never loved at all. It is important for us all to have things to care about, be it other humans or animals.

The stories of Pax and Peter are moving, real and connect with the reader emotionally. Told from alternating perspectives, the journeys of fox and boy are emotional roller coasters of twists and turns. A fox who is protective of his family and recognises that the answer to his problem is to find the boy that once saved him. A boy who is determined to isolate himself from the world and to not let anyone close ever again. One needs healing, the other needs help. Can Peter’s stone heart find warmth again? Will Pax and his family survive? Will boy and fox rediscover each other? Will everyone get that they need?

Heart-breaking and heart-warming in equal measure, Pax, Journey Home has definitely been worth the wait.

Recommended for 9+.

Arhh, I so loved this book and the ending it’s given to the story of Peter and Pax, but you never know there could be another (I hope so).

The story picks up on Peter who is now 13 years old a year later, still struggling with grief. He goes on his own journey to come to terms with it. The story alternates chapters with Pax his old friend and his family.

It’s so beautifully written and has an environmental theme running through it.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy, a must read sequel with a satisfying ending.

In a way, I feel like I am lucky to have found Pax (the first book) only a few months ago as it meant that I only needed to wait a few months before Pax Journey Home was released. Sara Pennypacker has done it again – Pax Journey Home is another wonderfully written book about the lives of Peter and Pax and how their worlds cross and entwine. It is a story full of emotion and had me gasping out loud, close to tears and needing to read on to find out what was going to happen to these wonderful characters.
Sara Pennypacker really brings her characters alive with her writing and draws you in to the worlds of not just the humans in the book but the animals too. You smile at the foxes understanding of humans and worry about how Peter will come to terms with all the loss in his life. This book also has an environmental message behind it, giving the reader an opportunity to take a step back and think about how our human actions have a massive impact on the environment around us and in turn the animals who live in it.
I was pleased to have read the books in order but if you haven’t read the first one don’t be put off, as this story, although referring back to the original, stands on its own four paws - although I would implore you to make time for Pax too!
This book is just a fantastic story, sad at times, but one where you feel there is always the possibility for a positive outcome. It will stay with me for some time and I will be encouraging children in my class to pick it up and read this book full of adventure, emotion and hope.