A powerful suspense story narrated by a young girl who must fend for herself and her little brother after a brutal bear attack
While camping with her family on a remote island, five-year-old Anna awakes in the night to the sound of her mother screaming. A rogue black bear, three hundred pounds of fury, is attacking the family’s campsite — and pouncing on her parents as prey.
At her dying mother’s faint urging, Anna manages to get her brother into the family’s canoe and paddle away. But when the canoe runs aground on the edge of the woods, the sister and brother must battle hunger, the elements, and a wilderness alive with danger. Lost and completely alone, they find that their only hope resides in Anna’s heartbreaking love for her family, and her struggle to be brave when nothing in her world seems safe anymore.
This is a story with a small narrator and a big heart. Cameron gracefully plumbs Anna’s young perspective on family, responsibility, and hope, charting both a tragically premature loss of innocence and a startling evolution as Anna reasons through the impossible situations that confront her.
Lean and confident, and told in the innocent and honest voice of a five-year-old, THE BEAR is a transporting tale of loss — but also a poignant and surprisingly funny adventure about love and the raw instincts that enable us to survive.
My Giffy Thoughts:
The Relentless Reader 
Lol! I was thinking as a I read the summary about how scary the book might be! And it seems like it certainly was harrowing for you to read! My only question is, was it worth it? I am on the fence!
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That cover design does not seem to represent what the novel is about. I was thinking it would turn out to be a light, friendly story about a friendly bear. Or not. Still, I quite fancy it…Love the gifs!
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I also want to know if you thought it was worth the read. I would normally avoid this kind of book, but I keep hearing good things about The Bear. I wonder if I need to face my own fears about reading about kids in scary situations.
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Ahahaha! Sounds too stressful for me.
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Omg, this review cracked me up! I definitely don't know if I can read it — sounds exhausting and stressful! (But sometimes I like that kind of thing.) So torn!
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Hahahaha!! I am not sure laughing is appropriate, given the situation these poor children are subjected to but your reaction to it all…priceless. I could not read such a book! Sorry!
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Must read! Must read!
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OMG! I loved your reaction to this book 🙂 I tried to read it, but got so bored with it that I gave up right away and declared it a DNF.
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I don't know if I would be able to read this one….sigh!
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Wow! Those are some telling gifs!
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Haha! What a great post. I saw mention of this book somewhere. I wish I could remember where. I blame work. I blame the toddler. I blame my husband. No not really. I blame my lack of sleep. Anyway, this sounds like quite a scary book!
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The GIFs are so appropriate. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to handle the book before, during, and after. It is emotional and difficult, but man was it a good book. It's also the reason why I refuse to go camping.
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Sounds like a fun read. I'm going to add it to my list and see if my library has it.
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I liked this but not as much as you did. I thought I would get used to Anna's voice but I didn't – it grew tedious after a while.
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Oof, sounds like this book is too stressful for me, but I'll live vicariously through your GIFs. I'm also not too keen on very young narrators — very few novels seem to get it right and have it not come off as just a gimmick.
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LOL, you know how much I love it when you get all GIFfy! Sounds like it might raise my blood pressure though… Yikes!
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I think I get it! LOL Scary good! Must read this!
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I've totally wanted to read this! I love creepy books that make me get squirmy, so you confirmed this one just might work!
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Love the gif review! Especially the Pitch Perfect gif! Love that movie.
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It was definitely harrowing! I can't get it out of my head. Eeek!
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I like the cover, but I see what you mean. It looks a LOT friendlier than it is!!
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It was absolutely worth the read. It exhausted me mentally but it was definitely worth the time. Great book.
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LOL, I hear you. It was bonkers!
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Stressful for sure but I love these disturbing types of books. Why?? I don't know! I think they remind me of just how normal my life is 😀
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If I tried to write a serious review of this book I think I'd cry all day long, lol. For real, it was gruesome but awesome 😀
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Yes! You really do! I hope you do 🙂
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You did!? I'm kinda shocked by that. We each have our own tastes, that's for sure. I wouldn't call this book boring though, lol, not in a million years. 😉
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You can do it, Melinda. Be brave! 😉
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Thanks 😀 I tried to find good ones!
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Thanks 😀 I would blame all of those things too, lol.
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I'm so glad you read and liked it too! I grew up on a campground…my dad was the ranger. We had a house though, not a tent, lol.
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I hope they do and that you enjoy it. It's intense!
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Shannon, from River City Reading, also had issues with the narration. I can totally understand why.
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It's intense, stressful…ack! I don't know what it says about me but I adore those types of books, lol.
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I wouldn't read it alone in a dark room. No, wait. I wouldn't read it in the woods! Yikes for sure.
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Scary good!! Exactly!!
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Well shoot! I thought it was you that had read it and didn't like the narration, lol. I even said so in a comment above. Hmmm…now I'll be wondering who that was. LOL, no sleep for me tonight!
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Thanks! I always have fun putting these together 😀 (I love that movie too!)
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I remember skipping over this on NG because of the synopsis. I cannot read about a five year, a baby brother, and a bear. I'd never take my five year old and his baby brother camping again. ;)But quite possibly best review ever…
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I don't think I could have read this when my kids were that age either. I totally understand!Thanks 😀
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