The Girl Who Speaks Bear

-Sophie Anderson

Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, 12-year-old Yanka has always felt out of place in her small village. When she wakes up to find that her legs have become bear legs, she sets off into the forest to discover who she is, on a journey that takes her from icy rivers to smouldering mountains, with an ever-growing group of misfits alongside her... Interwoven with traditional stories of bears, princesses and dragons, Yanka's journey is a gorgeously lyrical adventure from the best-selling author of The House With Chicken Legs.

-----

I fell in love with this story that incorporated Russian legends and folktales! A story about feeling as if you don't fit in, stories that begin Once-Upon-A-Time … yet have a touch of truth in them, running away to find where you belong - and realizing you were where you needed to be and were wanted all along. The main character, Yanka, leads us on her journey and she is a fine heroine. Strong and courageous to embark on her own but her character matures as she realizes she can rely on her friends. Her friends include woodland animals; a weasel, a wolf, an elk, an owl, birds, other bears … and a house with chicken legs. Will highly recommend!

Heidi Y.