As an elementary librarian, I naturally read stacks and stacks of children’s books. Sometimes they seem to blur together, but the first installment of Pax and Peter’s story will likely forever be in my top ten list for which there is much competition. I was an emotional wreck after finishing it and thought about it for months. And yes, apparently that is something my brain enjoys. Lol. So I literally squealed when I first saw the sequel….and then slowly but surely the doubt crept in. Pax was perfect. Couldn’t a sequel completely ruin it all? I was hesitant but had to know how the two guys were doing.

We meet them again just a year later. Pax has a family now and Peter is doing everything he can to NOT embrace meaningful, familial relationships because of all the loss he’s endured. He needs healing. Pax’s little one needs help. And the two meet again.

This sequel didn’t affect me like the original, but I am very glad I read it. It was beautifully written and I do feel better paced. I was a bit disappointed in the resolution, but I also know it was sensible.

I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.

I have been waiting for this one! For those who loved the story of Pax and Peter and wanted to know what happened in their lives, we can now see where their paths led them. Their story continues in the same format, alternating between Pax and Peter. Peter is struggling to deal with the losses he has experienced and is determined not to let anyone else come close enough to hurt him. Pax goes on with his life and takes on the responsibilities that come with a family. Circumstances finally bring the two together for a time, and they are both presented with some big choices.

Early digital copy from NetGalley.

I think over all I would only give this 3 stars.

I'm struggling to put into words how I feel about the second installment of Pax. I might just have to ramble a little. Both Pax and Peter are a year older, but I felt like Peter was too mature for a 13 year old with outdoor knowledge and feelings? That is just my opinion. Pax felt more real to me then Peter because of this. But I also thought Pax lack in some knowledge that didn't quite seem logical? But there wouldn't have been a story otherwise so it was needed? I dont know. It also ended quite abruptly and I felt like the story was just leading up to the very last 2 chapters. Slightly disappointed with this sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of this title.

I honestly wasn't sure how Pennypacker could continue the beautiful and heart wrenching story of Pax, but the Journey Home was absolutely amazing. The book was healing, friendship and discovery all rolled into one beautiful package. The way that Peter and Pax's story continues to intertwine and extend was amazing. The author has the exceptional ability of writing from two perspectives simultaneously.
A wonderful follow up to Pax. Well done.

This sequel was nothing short of superb - anyone reading this will fall in love with the value of sacrifice and learning to accept that we all need love and companionship. Pax’s ability as an animal to recognize that his kit needs Peter to survive demonstrates a humanity in animals we fail to acknowledge. Although this is fiction, this story and it’s values are nothing but truth no matter what species you are.

Pax: Journey Home picks up around a year after Pax ended. We learn quickly that Peter is still living with Vola, doing his own penance and learning woodworking from her. The war that featured heavily in the last book is over, and Peter must come to terms with everything he has lost, With a heart full of grief, he lashes out at Vola and leaves her farm to journey back to his home, where he will scatter his father's ashes and, so he plans, live away from the rest of society.

Meanwhile, back at the Reservoir, Pax, Bristle, and Runt welcome several new members to their family. When humans come near their land, Pax knows he must act, Setting off on a journey towards his home, he must himself negotiate the choices he has made and decide once and for all if he will remain in the wild, or go find his boy.

What I loved about this story:

1) More context about the war, setting, time, and place. The first novel felt oddly timeless, in that I couldn't really tell WHEN it was set, or even WHERE. This book provides a few more clues that give a little more context into establishing time and place.

2) The allegories for grief are on point, For any middle school kid who has lost someone, this story will resonate very closely, and I can see it becoming a classic for YS librarians and teachers to hand out to students who have lost someone.

3) The storytelling is very well done, just as it was in the first novel.

What I didn't love about this story:

1) While we do get more clues as to time/location/ context, there is still so much WHY about the war. We learn there was a resistance (?) and it's over now (Who won? What was being fought over? How did this impact their lives? We will never know,) there are still a lot of questions left on the table.

2) It's probably my adult lens, but I had so many questions. We're just gonna let a 13-year-old boy wander off into the woods after pitching a fit, huh? No one's going to check on him? We seem to have re-established pre-war staples such as thrift stores, environmental projects, and walky-talkies, but.... no cell phones? No mail? IS ANYONE LOOKING AFTER THIS CHILD?!?

Overall though, I think this sequel was worth the read, and I will definitely be recommending it to my kids as a librarian.

This book is the perfect sequel to Pax. After finishing Pax, I always wondered what happened to Peter, Pax, Vola, and Peter's father. Now I have answers, and this book mended my heart that has been broken since I finished reading Pax.

Oh my goodness... I adored Pax, so when I saw there was actually a sequel I HAD to get my hands on an ARC. And boy am I glad I did. Rarely ever does a sequel come along I actually enjoy more than the original, but here it is.
A year has past since we have left Pax and Peter and a lot has happened. Pax has started his new life in the wild, and Peter is learning how to deal with grief and growing up and finding a future worth living for.
If you liked Pax you MUST pick this up and find out where this journey takes our two friends!

I am not always a fan of sequels to books, so I was hesitant to pick this up. Pax is one of my favorite books, and I didn't want anything to ruin that. Pax Journey Home didn't disappoint. I enjoyed revisiting Peter and Pax. Both have developed over the last few years. The author does such a wonderful job bringing both to life in their alternating chapters. It was interesting to see how the story continues and comes full circle. I recommend this book to anyone who has read and enjoyed Pax.

Thank yo to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

So heartwarming! I wasn't sure a sequel could be as moving and lovely as Pax, but this book was that and more. Peter is trying to cut those who love him out of his life so he can avoid being hurt, but he soon discovers that there is strength in vulnerability.

I loved the first book, Pax. I had hoped there might be a sequel to see how everyone got on. The sequel did not disappoint. This one is right up there with the first. Have you tissues ready. I love the relationship between Pax and Peter. It broke my heart in the first book that they were separate and each had their own trials and tribulations to face. Still facing difficulties, due the war, the two reconnect. Lovely story. Ms. Pennypacker is such a wonderful writer. I've been a fan since her Clementine series!

I was so excited when I saw Pax, Journey Home was coming out. I fell in love with Pax in the first book-who knew you could fall in love with a fox?!?! Sara Pennypacker answers the questions many of us were left with after the first book, including the biggest one: do Pax and Peter ever reunite?

In this sequel, as the cover hints at, Pax is a father and still in the wild. As a result of the damage caused by the war, water has become tainted and one of his pups grows ill. It is an unexpected, but very fortunate reunion with Peter that might save not only Pax's son, but also might lighten Peter's heart.

This is a sweet story. While of course it would be nice to read the first story, that isn't necessary to enjoy Pax, Journey Home. I will highly recommend this one when the school year opens up next year!

It’s been several years since Pennypacker broke my heart with her beautiful story, Pax. A story about love, separation and bravery. Now, in this story, Pax and his boy Peter have been apart for a year and their lives couldn’t be more different. Peter has been orphaned by the war and Pax and his mate have a new family. With an aching heart, Peter leaves Viola and joins a group of like minded individuals who want to try to heal the land after all the scars of war; the call themselves the Water Warriors. Pax and Peter come together again when one of Pax’s kits becomes ill, and he turns to the one human he believes will be able to save him. Make sure you have your tissues at the ready, you’re going to need them. Pennypacker’s sequel is a masterwork that will be on my list of must haves for my library

Excellent sequel to Pax. Once again, we meet Peter, while grieving over the loss of his dad, decides to join the Water Warriors whose purpose is to help fix war ravaged areas. Peter is staying with Vola, a family friend, and tells her he won’t be back. Meanwhile, Pax and his mate have a litter of pups. When Pax goes off to look for a safer home for his family his daughter follows him. When Pax’s daughter becomes injured, Pax knows who to look for to help him out. While on his mission to help decontaminate creeks, Peter and Pax reunite. All is well, until Pax brings his sick kit, and Peter knows what he must do.