(grades 3-7)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Paperback: October 1, 2019
Scroll down for the giveaway!
A runaway boy befriends a polar bear that’s being transported from Norway to London in this lyrical and timeless adventure story about freedom, captivity, and finding a family.
BRAZOS BOOKSTORE ◆ BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP ◆ BOOK PEOPLE
AMAZON ◆ BARNES AND NOBLE ◆ INDIEBOUND
Vermont’s 2019-2020 Dorothy Canfield Fisher list
2020 Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award Children’s Masterlist
School Library Connection highly recommended book
Junior Library Guild Selection
50 Must-Read Historical Fiction Books for Kids, bookriot.com
“…a stupendous coming-of-age-tale stuffed with adventure and laced with deeper questions… A richly satisfying story saturated with color, adventure, and heart.” –Kirkus, starred review
“I simply adore this novel. It has it all: gorgeous prose, fascinating history, riveting adventure. But it’s the unlikely tender friendship between a lonely boy and a polar bear that makes this a story to cherish. A lovely little miracle of a book.”
–Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan“I loved every single thing about this large-hearted and riveting medieval adventure.” —William Alexander, National Book Award-winning author of Goblin Secrets
Journey of the Pale Bear – My Book Review
“But my stepfather had told me never to run from a bear, because you will look like prey. And an ice bear can outrun you every time.”
I’m sure my boss thought I was crazy earlier last week when I went to check on Harry. Harry has a sheet covering his body to protect him. I lifted the sheet and reached out and touched his head with the back of my hand. His fur is still thick and coarse, yet appears white as pure snow. Harry’s head is massive. How many people can say they have touched a polar bear before – dead or alive?
Why did I make a beeline for Harry as soon as I got to the office?
All because of a book.
By physically touching Harry’s head and nose, it cemented my connection to the book I came to love instantaneously through the cover art and then with the words.
Right off I can tell you, Author, Susan Fletcher is a phenomenal storyteller. Journey of the Pale Bear is a mesmerizing story of a boy who is finding his place in the world and of a polar bear who is now a gift to a king. Set in a historical time period of over 750 years ago Susan’s writing brings to life in many ways what it was like back then not only for man but for this pale bear as well.
The chapters are short enough that it keeps the story moving along at a remarkable pace. I was a rapt reader with this entire gem of a story. Everyone needs friends in life. Arthur is just like many kids nowadays – trying to find their place in this big world and having at least one friend who has your back. In this story, Arthur and the Pale Bear found an unlikely friendship in each other.
Let me tell you, friends, this is one book that can span generations of readers even though it is geared towards middle age school kids. You’ll not be disappointed with this story of an unlikely friendship between a boy and a bear.
If you’re ever in Quanah, Texas – stop by and see Harry. Who knows I might do a storytelling session sometime with this book and Harry.
Although Susan loves to write about long-ago and faraway places, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in the details of this one. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To research Journey of the Pale Bear, she explored the grounds of the Tower of London and went backstage at the Oregon Zoo, where, standing breathtakingly near, she watched polar bears Tasul and Conrad lip grapes from their keepers’ open palms.Journey of the Pale Bear is Susan’s 12th book, including the Dragon Chronicles series, Shadow Spinner, and Alphabet of Dreams. Collectively, her books have been translated into nine languages; accolades include a Golden Kite Honor Book, the American Library Association’s Notable Books and Best Books for Young Adults, BCCB Blue Ribbon Books, and School Library Journal’s Best Books.
Susan has an M.A. in English from the University of Michigan and taught for many years in the M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College. She lives in Bryan, Texas with her husband, historian R.J.Q. Adams, and their dog, Neville.
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Forgotten Winds 
Love that you have your own polar bear encounter to take the book to the next level! That’s awesome! Great review.
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