Sara Pennypacker’s Children’s Book ‘Pax’ Acquired by Sidney Kimmel Entertainment

The story follows a boy separated from his pet fox, and their independent struggles to reunite

Pax by Sara Pennypacker

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment has secured film rights to the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller “Pax,” written by award-winning children’s book author Sara Pennypacker, the company announced Tuesday.

In a competitive bidding situation, SKE prevailed over several other companies to acquire the film rights to “Pax,” which it will develop and finance. The novel tells the story of a boy separated from his pet fox, and their independent struggles to return to each other in the face of a devastating war.

Pennypacker is the author of 20 children’s books, which have received numerous awards and honors. She’s best known for her New York Times best-selling series “Clementine,” which has more than 1.5 million books in print.

In writing Pax, which means peace in Latin, Pennypacker was moved by reports of children injured, displaced and orphaned by wars around the globe, and was inspired to write a novel that explores the devastating costs of war — especially to children — through the eyes of a boy and his pet fox.

“In its short time in release, Sara’s nuanced and poignant novel has resonated with children and adults alike and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to adapt ‘Pax’ for the big screen. We look forward to having an incredible storyteller like Sara as a partner in this project” said SKE’s president of production Carla Hacken, who made the announcement with SKE president John Penotti.

SKE’s upcoming films include Jean-Marc Vallee‘s “Demolition” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts. Fox Searchlight will release the drama on April 8. SKE is also in post-production on David Mackenzie‘s “Comancheria” starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, as well as Colin Trevorrow‘s “The Book of Henry” starring Watts and “Room” sensation Jacob Tremblay. CBS Films will release “Comancheria,” while Focus Features will release “The Book of Henry.”

The “Pax” deal was brokered by Sylvie Rabineau of RWSG Literary Agency on behalf of Steven Malk of Writers House.

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