Finding Bear by Hannah Gold

For those readers who loved Hannah Gold’s first novel The Last Bear, you will be thrilled to learn her sequel Finding Bear is just as exciting and engaging. Along with all of the main characters from the first book: April, Dad, Tor, Lise and of course Bear, there are also four new important characters introduced to April and Bear’s story: Maria, Hedda, Jurgen and baby Peanut.

It is seventeen long months since April and Bear said goodbye. April is back home but unsettled, unhappy and bereft from being away from Bear. Dad is in the beginning of a new relationship with Maria, April is bullied at school and struggles to fit in, and more worryingly has a constant niggling fear that something is not right with Bear. In her dreams she hears his roar and during daylight hours she feels his need for her.

News comes from Svalbard that a polar bear has been shot and April is certain it is Bear. She begs her dad to take her back to the Arctic to search for the injured bear and he reluctantly agrees. Their trip to the Arctic in the winter is one of renewed friendships, unbelievably cold weather, anxiety, misunderstandings, survival, and terrible danger. But the startling discovery of Bear and his incredible reason for calling April back to the Arctic will leave the reader full of anticipation of how the situation April finds herself in will be resolved.

Throughout this beautifully written and heartwarming story, the author shares the emotion of the unbreakable bond shared by April and Bear and the serious damage climate change is doing to the Arctic environment and the animals that inhabit the area. There is hope expressed though, that one small caring step by each and every person may help save the planet.

The striking hardcover of Finding Bear is in tonal shades reminiscent of the Northern Lights and has bold gold lettering. Coupled with the stunning black and white images, illustrator Levi Pinfold has added to the engagement of the reader by providing a greater understanding of the both the bleakness and beauty of the Arctic environment. In the final pages there is an important author’s note to read as well as a valuable resource list and further readings suggestions.

The Last Bear and Finding Bear would be wonderful class novels to share with students.

Themes: Climate change, Polar bears, Arctic Life, Relationships, Adventure, Danger, Connection, Determination, Survival.

Kathryn Beilby