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nichughes's review against another edition
4.0
Middle grades read-aloud to my kids. We loved the story and it was well-paced. My only con is also linked to a pro - the author used so many unique turns of phrase and lots of descriptive language. Sometimes a little excessive but they learned quite a few new words.
jaij7's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic story. An epic journey that my nine year old son and I enjoyed as a read aloud. This story was filled with rich vocabulary and beautiful descriptive scenery. We were thrilled and surprised at the end to find it was based on a true story.
kelleemoye's review against another edition
5.0
When I first read about this book it sounded pretty good, enough for me to pick it up, but it was SO GOOD! Like so good that even though it was a school week, I read it in 2 days!
First, it takes place in a time period that is hardly ever in books which is fascinating. I found myself looking up some of the history that was mentioned in the book, but the author did a great job of making sure that not knowing about the details of the time period wouldn’t effect the reading experience.
Second, it looks at animal treatment and truly makes you think about how an animal feels when it is put in captivity. Although told only in a realistic manner, the animal is such an integral part of the story that its behaviors are shared in detail allowing it to become a full character within the book.
Third, did you know there used to be a menagerie in the Tower of London? Me neither! But that took me down a suck hole of Google research. So fascinating!
Fourth, wow! The adventure is EPIC: sailing, bullies, pirates, shipwrecks, storms. It never stops!
So in review: Fascinating, thought-provoking, curious, and action-packed. All in all, a book I truly recommend and enjoyed.
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=17411
First, it takes place in a time period that is hardly ever in books which is fascinating. I found myself looking up some of the history that was mentioned in the book, but the author did a great job of making sure that not knowing about the details of the time period wouldn’t effect the reading experience.
Second, it looks at animal treatment and truly makes you think about how an animal feels when it is put in captivity. Although told only in a realistic manner, the animal is such an integral part of the story that its behaviors are shared in detail allowing it to become a full character within the book.
Third, did you know there used to be a menagerie in the Tower of London? Me neither! But that took me down a suck hole of Google research. So fascinating!
Fourth, wow! The adventure is EPIC: sailing, bullies, pirates, shipwrecks, storms. It never stops!
So in review: Fascinating, thought-provoking, curious, and action-packed. All in all, a book I truly recommend and enjoyed.
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=17411
neglet's review against another edition
5.0
Really interesting setting and subject: the “pale bear” (likely a polar bear) that was part of the English king’s royal menagerie in the 13th century. Takes that historical fact and spins a plausible, enjoyable story of a boy who ends up caring for the bear on its journey from Norway to England.
thecontrarybookworm's review against another edition
I'm not going to star this or write a full review. I only got 1/5 of the way before putting it down because I just am not in the mood for reading this right now. I'll probably pick it up again sometime in the future, but I can't make any promises.
tracybabler's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I really loved this middle grade book! It surprised me with how charming and captivating it was. And even better when I got to the end and found out it was based on a true story!
I'm smitten with the pale bear and his keeper Arthur. Anyone who understands that you can have a deep relationship with an animal will love this special book. It's wonderful!
I really loved this middle grade book! It surprised me with how charming and captivating it was. And even better when I got to the end and found out it was based on a true story!
I'm smitten with the pale bear and his keeper Arthur. Anyone who understands that you can have a deep relationship with an animal will love this special book. It's wonderful!
kinseyelise's review against another edition
4.0
This middle-grade novel has been on my #unreadshelf for a while now, and it was such a delightful story! I felt for Arthur through all of his difficulties and was charmed by his relationship with the “ice bear.” This book moved along at a quick pace, perfect for the kids it is intended for, but was still thoroughly enjoyable to read as an adult. It didn’t feel cheesy or pandering, but genuine and sweet (if a bit far-fetched).
melodierhae's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely riveting. The writing really helps set the scene. I long for a bear friend of my own!
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
My son loved this! And I was excited to read it too, because Susan Fletcher is one of my favorite dragon-genre authors. She wrote the Dragon Kyn series in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
This story is based on a true gift from one king to another in the 13th century. A female "ice" bear is given to the King of England for his royal menagerie, but she's restless and won't settle or eat before leaving Norway.
Arthur, who's run away from home and taken to stealing just to eat, ends up getting caught and pushed into her cage by a mean brute. But instead of eating him, she settles, and the doctor responsible for making sure she reaches England convinces Arthur to accompany her on the journey.
Along the way, Arthur is bullied by a sailor, the ship is attacked by pirates and she kills them, and the ship runs afoul of a reef in a storm and he sets her free. She defends him from bullies on land, but in the end, she's recaptured, delivered to England and separated from Arthur. She quickly languishes, and Arthur's brought back to help her find a will to live -- by swimming in the Thames in the winter.
The author's note at the end is fantastic, explaining there actually was a polar bear in the King's menagerie in the 1250s, and it was allowed to swim in the river on a tether, and its keeper swam with it, in a special, padded suit.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
This story is based on a true gift from one king to another in the 13th century. A female "ice" bear is given to the King of England for his royal menagerie, but she's restless and won't settle or eat before leaving Norway.
Arthur, who's run away from home and taken to stealing just to eat, ends up getting caught and pushed into her cage by a mean brute. But instead of eating him, she settles, and the doctor responsible for making sure she reaches England convinces Arthur to accompany her on the journey.
Along the way, Arthur is bullied by a sailor, the ship is attacked by pirates and she kills them, and the ship runs afoul of a reef in a storm and he sets her free. She defends him from bullies on land, but in the end, she's recaptured, delivered to England and separated from Arthur. She quickly languishes, and Arthur's brought back to help her find a will to live -- by swimming in the Thames in the winter.
The author's note at the end is fantastic, explaining there actually was a polar bear in the King's menagerie in the 1250s, and it was allowed to swim in the river on a tether, and its keeper swam with it, in a special, padded suit.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/