It started off as a simple family camping trip for five-year-old Anna, her little brother, Stick, and her parents--a short canoe ride across Lake Opeongo to their favorite spot on Bates Island. But then a bear attacks their camp. Anna wakes when she hears her mother screaming. Before she knows what's happening, her father shoves both her and Stick into their large Coleman Cooler. In that dark box, she hears the sniffs and growls of what she imagines to be a big black dog, and the snap and crunch of bones breaking. The next morning, with her last breaths, Anna's mother tells her to get Stick into the canoe and float away to safety. Anna reluctantly does what her mother says.
The Bear is a story of struggle and survival as narrated by five-year-old Anna. Parts of it will make you cringe, other parts will break your heart. Cameron's choice to tell this story through the eyes and voice of a child is a unique and interesting one, but I struggled a little with Anna's first-person narrative. There were times I felt it dragged, and times when Anna's childish perception of things was not only muddled and confusing, but also a bit annoying. (I found myself skimming those parts.) Overall, though, I really liked this novel. Especially the ending! So don't give up on it too soon.
Happy Reading!
For another review of this book (and a better one!) check out Melwyk's post.
