Pax Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
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Pax has 34 chapters · 296 pages
Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.
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Inside the journal: 34 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
How does Chapter 1 show the special bond between Peter and Pax, even during a very painful moment?See all 34 questions ↓
About the book
Pax and Peter have been inseparable ever since Peter rescued him as a kit. But one day, the unimaginable happens: Peter's dad enlists in the military and makes him return the fox to the wild.
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Pax questions by chapter
We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 34 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 1
How does Chapter 1 show the special bond between Peter and Pax, even during a very painful moment?
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Chapter 2
Pax is alone for the first time in Chapter 2. What does he understand about Peter, and what does he not understand yet?
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Chapter 3
In Chapter 3, Peter begins to think about what he must do next. What does his plan tell you about his character?
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Chapter 4
When Pax meets wild foxes, how do their actions show that the wild is very different from the life Pax has known?
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Chapter 5
Peter faces danger and pain as he starts his journey. How does he show determination in this chapter?
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Chapter 6
What are your first impressions of Bristle and Runt? Use details from the chapter to explain your thinking.
Example answer: My first impression is that Bristle is tough and careful, while Runt is more curious and gentle. Bristle does not trust Pax right away, which makes sense because she has had to survive in the wild. Runt seems interested in Pax and not as harsh. Together, they show Pax that the wild can be both dangerous and full of possible friends.
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Chapter 7
Vola helps Peter, but she is not exactly warm or friendly at first. Why do you think she acts this way?
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Chapter 8
What signs of war appear in Pax’s world, and how do they affect the animals?
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Chapter 9
Peter and Vola both seem stubborn. How are they alike, and how are they different?
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Chapter 10
Choose one word to describe Vola in this chapter. What evidence supports your word choice?
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Chapter 11
Pax has to learn new ways to survive. What is one lesson he learns from the wild foxes?
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Chapter 12
How do chores, rules, or hard work at Vola’s home help Peter change?
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Chapter 13
Bristle has strong feelings about humans. What experiences help explain why she feels this way?
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Chapter 14
Vola’s puppets are important to her. What do they reveal about her feelings or her past?
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Chapter 15
How does Pax’s relationship with Runt grow in this chapter?
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Chapter 16
Peter thinks about anger, family, and responsibility. What is one feeling he is struggling with, and why?
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Chapter 17
What lesson about war or guilt does Vola’s story teach Peter?
Example answer: I think Vola’s story teaches Peter that war hurts people even after the fighting is over. Vola feels guilty about things she did and things she could not stop. Peter learns that hiding from pain does not make it disappear. He also learns that people can try to heal by helping others and telling the truth.
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Chapter 18
Pax notices danger that humans have brought into the wild. How does this danger change the mood of the story?
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Chapter 19
How is Peter healing in more than one way during his time with Vola?
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Chapter 20
Pax makes choices that protect others. What do these choices show about who he is?
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Chapter 21
How does learning to use puppets or storytelling help Peter understand himself better?
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Chapter 22
Pax begins to feel pulled between his old life with Peter and his new life in the wild. What makes this choice difficult?
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Chapter 23
When Peter prepares to leave Vola, what has he learned from her that he can carry with him?
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Chapter 24
How does Vola change because of Peter’s visit?
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Chapter 25
As Pax travels through dangerous places, what strengths help him keep going?
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Chapter 26
Peter sees more clearly what war has done to people and places. What detail from the chapter stands out to you most?
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Chapter 27
How do Bristle, Runt, and Pax begin to seem like a family?
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Chapter 28
What does Peter learn about the meaning of home in this part of the story?
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Chapter 29
Describe a moment when Pax shows bravery. Why is it brave?
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Chapter 30
Peter keeps moving toward Pax even when the journey is hard. What motivates him?
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Chapter 31
When Peter and Pax finally come close to each other again, what emotions do you notice?
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Chapter 32
Why is Peter’s final decision about Pax so difficult but also loving?
Example answer: Peter’s decision is difficult because he loves Pax and has missed him so much. He wanted to find Pax and bring him home, so letting him go is not what he planned. But it is loving because Peter sees that Pax belongs with his fox family now. Peter puts Pax’s needs before his own feelings.
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Chapter 33
What theme, or big message, do you think the author wants readers to understand near the end of the story?
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Chapter 34
After finishing the book, how have Peter and Pax both changed from the beginning?
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How to use this Pax reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 34 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Pax. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own chapter. We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.
Browse: All books by Sara Pennypacker