Pax

Pax is a fiction novel by Sara Pennypacker that truly defines the relationship between a boy and his pet.  Pax is one of those books that catches your eye as it sits on the shelf: beautiful cover art, raw edges to the pages, and hand-drawn illustrations scattered throughout the novel.  It is about 275 pages long, so an average read for a chapter book. Through each chapter in the novel, the book alternates between the 2 main characters in the novel: Pax and Peter.  The reader is able to follow the adventures of each character, since they are divided by great distance.  If you love Pax, there is a sequel to the novel: Pax, Journey Home.

Pax and Peter have been the best of friends since Peter brought him home when Pax was just a tiny fox.  However, things have changed.  Peter's father has enlisted to fight in the war and is sending Peter to live with his grandfather.  The book begins with Peter's father driving far away from home, where they will release Pax into the wild, unable to continue to care for him. Peter is devastated and begs his father not to do this, but his father does not listen.  Peter is sent to live with his grandfather, since his mother passed away years before.  Peter realizes he cannot imagine his life without his fox - the most important thing in his life and possibly the only other being that truly understands Peter.  Peter packs a bag and sets out in the middle of the night to make the trek to find his fox, no matter what it takes.  Pax, on the other hand, is hurt and confused.  He doesn't understand why his boy has left him, but confident he will return to take him home.  Pax resolves to stay just where Peter's father left him: on the side of the road holding his green toy soldier tightly in his mouth.  But it is danger that will force Pax to leave his post and attempt life in the wilderness on his own.  He has never had to search for shelter or scavenge for food and Pax is overwhelmed by the new smells and sights and other animals. He finds a friend in another fox, Gray. Both Pax and Peter will have to depend on others to try to make it back to each other, despite the war and battle lines that are quickly approaching that bring more danger every day.  

Pax was a precious story that really highlights the deep relationship between a child and pet that can sometimes supercede other relationships in a person's life.  It is a beautiful tale of a fierce love and loyalty.  While I loved the novel and look forward to reading the sequel, I did not love the ending to this novel.  I was relieved to find there was a sequel, not knowing this when I began the novel.  I don't recommend this novel to readers below 5th grade and feel this novel is better suited for middle grade readers.  While some resources suggest this may be an appropriate read for a 4th grader based on Lexile level, the vocabulary in this novel is very advanced.  Sara Pennypacker's writing style is incredibly beautiful and also very detailed.  While the book may not seem like an "action" novel, there is a lot that happens in these pages, but some can be lost in the details.  The novel also shows the impact of war - on people, on families, but also on the animals and nature that have their homes invaded as well when war strikes.  Some of these harsh realities could be difficult for a younger reader.  However, the story of Pax the fox and determined Peter is incredibly beautiful and worth reading every page to understand how deep friendship can run - friendships that have lasted a lifetime, but also new friendships found in the most unusual places and unusual circumstances.   

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus is a realistic fiction novel by Dusti Bowling.  While it is realistic fiction, there is a bit of a mystery to it as well that will appeal to readers looking to figure out a secret.  The book is 39 chapters long and 262 pages, so it is an average size for a teen novel. The story is told through the eyes of Aven, a teen who was born without arms.  Aven is a memorable character who has a great senese of humor and a fantastic attitude and outlook on life.  Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus also has a sequel for readers wanting to read more about Aven's life: Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus.  

Aven's life is flipped upside down when her parents tell her they are moving from the comfort of the life they have known in Kansas to Arizona, where both her parents will now manage an old, dying theme park.  Aven will be leaving her friends and school, who know her well and have been able to look past her different way of doing things due to her missing arms.  Aven quickly learns life in Arizona is VERY different from Kansas - from the weather to the plants and to the people.  People at Aven's new school don't understand her disability and are fascinated that she is determined to live life as normally as possible and do everything independently that all the other kids at that school do: brush her hair, eat her sandwich, write her own notes, open doors, and even play the guitar.  While Aven is adjusting to life out west, she begins to notice some strange things at the theme park in her daily walks around the property: an owner no one has ever met, pictures of the owner's family that have been removed from walls, a silver and turquoise necklack buried in the sand under a large saguaro, drawings and photographs of tarantulas everywhere, and a packed storage office that has been locked and marked with multiple "Keep Out!" signs.  Then there is Henry, the ice cream shoppe worker that has been an employee of the theme park for 66 years and keeps mixing up Aven's order and asking where her arms went.  The transition is tough until Aven meets Connor, a kid at school who struggles with his own disability that is noticeable to others as well. Together, Aven and Connor are determined to figure out what the secrets are at the theme park in the hopes of keeping it open to the public.  

I started the summer with Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus at the recommendation of one of my students and it did not disappoint!  Aven is an awesome character and I aspire to show the resilience and positivity that she does!  For anyone struggling with something that you feel makes you "different" than others - whether it be a physical, mental, or emotional - this book is for you!  Aven's character shows us all how to change the "can't do" into "can do."  She understands there are things that she never be able to do because she was born without arms (she gives basketball as an example), but that almost everything is possible for her, but just may look different than how other people do it.  She also is focused on finding things that highlight her strengths and things she may even do better than others, such as soccer.  Aven recognizes that *most* people stare at her out of their curiosity and ask questions for the same reason, rather than they are making fun of her, and she strives to show others that a single setback out of your control doesn't have to define you - a mindset she is determined to teach Connor as he struggles with his own disability himself.  I do think it is a better fit for female readers only because Aven is the narrator and shares her thoughts and insecurities more females may struggle with in her situation, such as longing for the confidence to wear tank tops and spaghetti straps that fully expose her lack of arms more than a short-sleeved top.  However, I think male readers will also be able to relate to Connor as well.  I would recommend this novel for true middle school readers and would not suggest it to anyone below 5th grade just due to a few comments and thoughts Aven shares that are better fit for adolesents, but this is a fabulous 6th/7th grade choice!            

Wink

Wink is a realistic fiction novel by Rob Harrell.  The novel is set in the present day and follows a 7th grader, Ross, through his diagnosis and treatment with a rare form of eye cancer.  While the novel is a work of fiction, the events in the book are inspired by the author's personal journey with cancer.  The novel is just over 300 pages long, so it is a bit of a longer read for kids. However, it is also peppered with drawings related to the plot and comics of "Batpig" - the comic strip the main character draws.  

Ross is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 7th grade that affects his right eye.  His family is no stranger to cancer - Ross lost his mother to cancer just before he turned 5.  Now this diagnosis flips his world upside down, as well as his father and stepmother's. Ross's daily routines now include a visit to the proton center for radiation, putting goop in his eye, wearing a hat to protect him from any other unnecessary radiation, and just getting through middle school one day at a time.  The only thing holding Ross together is his best friend, Abby.  As if daily attempts to save his vision were not enough to contend with, memes start floating around the school making fun of Ross's condition. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect: Jimmy, the over-sized bully that sits across from him in English class, Isaac, who used to be best friends with Ross and Abby until the diagnosis and then mysteriously disappeared, or any other kid at his middle school that doesn't understand what Ross is going through daily.  Ross and Abby are determined to find the person creating the terrible memes and texting them to everyone in the school, as each meme is worse than the last.  But Ross finds a friend in the most unexpected place: the treatment center.  It is Frank, the technician for his radiation treatment, that helps Ross discover that he is not only a talented artist like his mom, but also has a passion for music.  Together with Abby and Frank's help, Ross learns how to navigate even the hardest challenges life has to offer.  

Wink is a fabulous read, especially for middle school readers.  The novel will make you laugh, it will make you tear up, it will surprise you, it will make you frustrated - perfect for middle schoolers.  Ross is such a relatable kid who wants nothing more than to be normal and blend in with his surroundings - as so many middle school kids do - but his illness will not allow for that. There is some crude humor and some other medical information that makes this better suited for middle readers, so I wouldn't recommend this for readers younger than 5th grade.  Both girls and guys will enjoy this novel and the humor and lighthearted style that Rob Harrell brings to this serious situation.  I love this book (and any book) that sheds a spotlight on a personal or medical situation that allows a reader to learn more about the situation and allows a reader to build empathy for others struggling through similar situations.  One thing I loved most about this book is the lessons in the value of friendship.  Ross learns that friendships come in all shapes and ages and sizes.  Friendships can't be predicted and pop up (and disappear) when least expected.  Friendships can blossom from the most random connections, including cancer and music.  I strongly recommend Wink if you are looking for your next realistic fiction read!