A review by barberchicago_books
Bear Island by Matthew Cordell

5.0

So many people say there are too many “sad” books. What those people don’t understand is that it isn’t the sadness, it’s the *getting through* the sadness that is at the heart of most books that deal with loss and grief. Bear Island, like many other picture books, middle grade and YA novels, does just that, and stunningly. This book is important because millions of kids are dealing with loss: the loss of face-to-face friendship, the loss of what they know, loss of security. And often, now more than ever, loss of people they love. Books that can help kids come through are nothing short of vital.