The Ice Bear Miracle

The Ice Bear Miracle

By Author / Illustrator

Cerrie Burnell

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

7+

Publisher

Oxford University Press

ISBN

9780192767561

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-02-2020

Synopsis

Somewhere in the deep and frozen north is an island surrounded entirely by ice. The inhabitants love their snowstorm isle-with its scattered wooden cottages, its small patches of forest, and its single mountain peak. Most of all they love the magnificent ice bears that roam the streets, giving the island its name-The Isle of Bears. Life with bears is dangerous, as Marv Jackson knows-the large crescent moon shaped scar on his face acts as a constant reminder of the night he survived a bear attack. But something tells him the legendary tale of that night, isn't quite the full story, and that the truth lies with a mysterious skating girl and her magnificent polar bear.

Reviews

Shrasta - Age 9

This is a really cool book to read, I like this a lot

Suggested Reading Age 7+

Jenny

There is a glittering fairy-tale and folklore quality to this enchanting story. On the Isle of Bears, the close knit community of this frozen, Isolated land share their island with powerful and majestic roaming polar bears. 13-year-old Marv Jackson bears the scars of a now 'legendary' polar bear attack that occured on his 5th birthday; an attack in which he claims to have seen a baby and bear cub alone on the frozen river that icy, starlit night. No baby was ever found but for eight years, on Marv's birthday, the Mama polar bear has returned (always alone) to sing from the ice outside his home; and for eight years, Marv has dreamt curious dreams of a girl with jewel bright eyes, dancing with a winter white polar bear. Now, Marv becomes aware of the existence of a travelling carnival, boasting a fantastical duo of a dancing girl and bear, 'Winter's Promise and Moonrise Tuesday'. Marv knows he must seek the carnival out - could this be the long lost baby that no one ever believed in, but that he has never forgotten? The reader is taken into the wonders of the carnival and discovers the amazing, magical tale of the bond of love and trust between a young girl and her bear. We peer into the pain and harsh reality of Tuesday and Promise's past and their life under fierce,controlling carnival boss, Gretta. When Marv ,Tuesday and Promise finally meet, they become swept up together in a desperate flight across the chilling, icy landscape together, fighting for freedom for Tuesday and Promise and determined to discover the truth about their undeniable emotional connection and Tuesday's past. The Ice Bear Miracle is packed full of rich landscapes of stunning winter white and snow filled scenes. There are beautifully crafted characters; the loyalty and pure love between girl and bear is so intricately and warmly detailed, it is utterly heart-warming and believable. I absolutely loved the almost bitter sweetness of the story's ending and the unwritten stories that could lie within it. This was a pure and delightful fantasy to curl up with. 214 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Jenny Caddick

Suggested Reading Age 7+

 

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