?“A profound, realistic story of a multiracial family...This brilliantly written tale is a lovely introduction to the important topics of wildfires and animal sanctuaries for young readers. Great for animal lovers and children curious about nature.”—School Library Journal, starred review

On returning to their home after a massive wildfire, nine-year-old Jasmin and her seven-year-old brother, Hunter, thought the biggest surprise would be whether their fire-resistant house had survived.

Jasmin and Hunter did not expect to find an orphaned bear cub stuck in the neighbors’ well. Rescuing the tiny cub from the well was the easy part; now they need to care for it until the people from the bear-rescue sanctuary can make it safely through the fires to pick it up. The cub turns out to be exactly what one would expect of a wild animal—a huge handful!

The latest Orca Echoes early chapter book from award-winning author Eric Walters was inspired by Eric’s visit to a wildlife sanctuary in Northern British Columbia. Bear in the Family tells the fictionalized story of a bear cub found by a family after the forest surrounding their home was destroyed by a wildfire.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Key Selling Points

• This story was inspired by the author’s visit to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Northern British Columbia.
• This book examines the importance of wildlife rehabilitation by trained professionals.
• Introduces young readers to the devastation caused by wildfires in a safe and accessible way.
• The author’s High and Dry, another Orca Echo book about animal rescue, received a starred review in School Library Journal.
• The author is one of the founders of “I Read Canadian Day,” which will be celebrated on February 16, 2022.
• Features several black-and-white illustrations by Olga Barinova.