Longlisted for the UKLA 2017 Book Award Darcy feels alone in the vast snowy wilderness of Yellowstone National Park, until she comes across a wounded grizzly bear. Their unexpected, yet warm friendship gives Darcy a new lease of life, and gives her the courage to do the extraordinary.
When I get up, there's nobody home. Even Mum has gone out. The note says, 'I have to check my emails. I'll snowmobile to the meltline and be back soon. XX Mummy'. And I think, 'Good. I can feed my bear...' Darcy's life was never exactly simple, but it was about to become a lot more complicated. Recovering from a distressing illness in her parents' cabin surrounded by looming pine trees, Darcy spends most of her days alone, warming herself by the log fire. That is, until she ventures into the woods hours before a heavy snowstorm, and finds herself face-to-face with a grizzly bear. Their encounter takes a surprising turn when it flourishes into a warm and caring companionship. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the snowy Yellowstone National Park in Montana, Mimi Thebo's poetic tale inspires compassion and friendship, sensitively focusing on how the seemingly impossible can become the achievable.
'Mimi Thebo captures an authentic teen voice and the writing throughout the story is hauntingly beautiful, almost dreamlike in places ... I can see adults and many young readers will love this book with its lyrical writing and powerful storyline. For the right type of reader this will undoubtedly be a five star book.' TheBookbag blog
'Not for the faint-hearted, this expert rite-of-passage tale - rich with snowshoes, carabiners and bear-awareness classes - stays with you after its logical but harrowing denouement.' Alexander McCall Smith, The Observer
'Mimi Thebo's story is a mixture of dreamy scenery, awesome wildlife, and coming-of-age dilemmas.' The Book Trust
'Mimi Thebo has created an atmospheric book, with great pace and wonderful characters.' My Book Corner
'Hauntingly beautiful' Cotswold Life
'I would hope that this book is nominated for an award' The School Librarian
