For children learning to face their fears and find courage amidst uncertainty, this poignant story explores resilience, unexpected friendships, and the power of hope.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a big, scary change and needs a story to model courage and resilience. In this moving animal fantasy, a young lion cub is unexpectedly separated from his pride and must embark on a perilous journey known as the Lions' Run. To survive, he must learn to trust his instincts, face his deepest fears, and forge an unlikely friendship. Pennypacker, author of the acclaimed novel Pax, masterfully explores themes of bravery, perseverance, and finding a sense of belonging in a world that feels too big. It's an ideal read for ages 8-12, offering a gentle yet powerful way to discuss how we find our strength when we feel most alone.
Tense moments involving predators are present but not graphic.
Sensitive Topics
The core sensitive topic is separation from family and the ensuing fear and loneliness. The approach is metaphorical, using the animal's plight to explore universal childhood anxieties about being lost, alone, or facing overwhelming challenges. Peril and the threat of predators are present, but the focus is on the emotional experience of fear rather than on violence. The resolution is expected to be hopeful, emphasizing resilience and the formation of a new or found family.
Ideal Reader
An emotionally perceptive child, aged 9-11, who loves animal stories but is ready for significant emotional depth. This is for the child struggling with generalized anxiety, fear of failure, or facing a specific challenge like moving to a new town or starting middle school. It will resonate with quiet, introspective readers who connect deeply with characters' internal lives.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the feeling of being alone and vulnerable is central to the book. Scenes where the cub is hungry, lost in a storm, or stalked by a predator could be intense for highly sensitive readers. Previewing these chapters may be helpful. The book can be read cold, as the fantasy world is grounded and intuitive. The parent has seen their child retreat from a challenge, saying "I'm too scared" or "I can't do it alone." The child might be expressing deep anxiety about an upcoming change or experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at school.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect strongly with the survival adventure plot and the clear emotional stakes of being lost and finding bravery. An older reader (10-12) will appreciate the lyrical prose and the deeper metaphorical layers about forging one's own identity, the nature of courage, and the complexities of trust and friendship.
What Makes It Special
Unlike action-heavy animal fantasy series, The Lions' Run, in typical Pennypacker style, prioritizes emotional introspection and character development. Its unique quality is its quiet, profound exploration of a single character's internal landscape of fear and resilience. It is more a poignant survival story of the heart than a high-stakes adventure, similar in emotional tone to the author's previous novel, Pax.
Read plot summary
A young lion cub is separated from his pride and must undertake a legendary and dangerous journey, the Lions' Run, to find his way back or forge a new future. Along the way, he encounters other creatures of the savanna, some who offer help and others who pose a threat. The story is a classic hero's journey focused on the cub's internal growth as he learns to rely on himself, trust others, and discover a bravery he never knew he possessed.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start of his journey, the cub is driven almost entirely by fear. When do you think he first starts to act out of courage instead? What is the difference?
2
Think about the other animals the cub meets on his run. Which friendship surprised you the most, and why was that animal an important friend for him at that specific moment?
3
The 'Lions' Run' is something all lions in the story know about. What do you think the run represents? Is it just a journey, or is it something more?
4
If you had to give the cub one piece of advice before he started his journey, what would it be?
5
Bravery doesn't always mean not being scared. How does this story show that someone can be both scared and brave at the same time?
