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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/
nikasbooklounge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book but my 12 year old son wasn’t a fan, so that’s interesting to me. We have read thousands of books together and he rarely doesn’t enjoy one. I can’t quite figure out why because animals and adventure is a great combination. I thought the writing in this story was easy and enjoyable to read. I also liked this rare (based on a true) story of a polar bear sent from one king to another. I thought the friendship between Arthur and the doctor was precious; as well as Arthur and the bear. I wanted to love the bear throughout it. My only worry was that students might not realize how dangerous bears really would be, bc he is so loving and tender with Arthur.
I got this book with litjoy crate by read it for the Sequoyah book award for Oklahoma.
I think it’s a great story for kids that love a fairy tale. Maybe younger than 12?
I got this book with litjoy crate by read it for the Sequoyah book award for Oklahoma.
I think it’s a great story for kids that love a fairy tale. Maybe younger than 12?
stacikristine's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars. I really enjoyed this middle grade novel. It reminded me of Hatchet in some ways. I loved the connection with Arthur and the bear throughout the book, and there was a depth that is lacking in a lot of novels these days. It will definitely be one I share with my kids in a few years.
jillcd's review against another edition
4.0
Based on the true event of a polar bear belonging to the King of England, this story keeps the reader captivated. I loved the characters and the relationship between the bear and Arthur. Animal lovers and adventure readers will enjoy. Grades 3 and up.
kateteaching7and8's review against another edition
5.0
"In the evening, as darkness falls, I return to the fortress."
This is the captivating first sentence of Fletcher's Journey of the Pale Bear. This sentence immediately captured my attention and drew me deeper into the novel. This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel about the pale bear given to King Henry III of England by King Haakon IV of Norway. The story details the bear and her unlikely keeper and companion's trip from Norway to London. The book has adventure, moments that will warm your heart, and ones that will break it. The journey includes pirates, a storm, a ship on the verge of sinking, being lost on an island, encounters with trappers and more. Throughout the story, Arthur (the protagonist, keeper of the bear, and her companion) struggles with his desire to protect the bear and also to let her be free.
I absolutely loved this book. I received it in my The Book Drop box, and I'm so glad that I didn't because I don't think I would have picked it up and read it otherwise. Arthur's voice is honest and compelling. I was enthralled the entire time and kept turning the page because I had to know if the bear would survive, escape, etc. I also grew attached to Arthur and wanted to know how his story ended as well. I also enjoyed learning about something in history that I wasn't aware of. I knew that Kings and other wealthy individuals over the years have kept private zoos and menageries. What I didn't know is that one had been located at the Tower of London and that it had contained a pale bear (possibly a polar bear but it also could have been a white strain of black bear). This was a fun story about friendship, caring for others, and, in some ways, freedom. I think that my middle school students will really enjoy this book.
This is the captivating first sentence of Fletcher's Journey of the Pale Bear. This sentence immediately captured my attention and drew me deeper into the novel. This is a beautifully written historical fiction novel about the pale bear given to King Henry III of England by King Haakon IV of Norway. The story details the bear and her unlikely keeper and companion's trip from Norway to London. The book has adventure, moments that will warm your heart, and ones that will break it. The journey includes pirates, a storm, a ship on the verge of sinking, being lost on an island, encounters with trappers and more. Throughout the story, Arthur (the protagonist, keeper of the bear, and her companion) struggles with his desire to protect the bear and also to let her be free.
I absolutely loved this book. I received it in my The Book Drop box, and I'm so glad that I didn't because I don't think I would have picked it up and read it otherwise. Arthur's voice is honest and compelling. I was enthralled the entire time and kept turning the page because I had to know if the bear would survive, escape, etc. I also grew attached to Arthur and wanted to know how his story ended as well. I also enjoyed learning about something in history that I wasn't aware of. I knew that Kings and other wealthy individuals over the years have kept private zoos and menageries. What I didn't know is that one had been located at the Tower of London and that it had contained a pale bear (possibly a polar bear but it also could have been a white strain of black bear). This was a fun story about friendship, caring for others, and, in some ways, freedom. I think that my middle school students will really enjoy this book.
ele_b's review against another edition
3.0
I very much like the idea of a historical fiction about a polar bear. I for some reason mistook this would be about Edward I, who happened to be the son of Henry III, who was the actual king at the time this book. Breif yet satisfying.
lizthelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Arthur has a gift that many people do not possess; he can calm down a polar bear. In fact, that polar bear is a gift from the King of Norway to the King of England. Arthur runs away from home finding himself in care of the royal bear. We also see Arthur grow to understand the meaning of responsibility through his journey of taking care of the bear. We follow his adventure across the North Sea with runs in with pirates and being stranded on an island with a polar bear that may attack him. Through Arthur and the polar bear's love and patience, we discover the real meaning of love and what it means to be truly free. In the end, this is a wonderful historical fiction novel for children about a real polar bear that was transported across the North Sea to England and swam in the River Thames.