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38 reviews for:
Bear Boy: The True Story of a Boy, Two Bears, and the Fight to Be Free
Justin Barker
4.06 AVERAGE
38 reviews for:
Bear Boy: The True Story of a Boy, Two Bears, and the Fight to Be Free
Justin Barker
4.06 AVERAGE
medium-paced
This was such an interesting read, I can't believe what an interesting life Justin Barker has had. Following him as a teen (mostly) we learn where he got his love of animals and how that impacted his life and the decisions he made, it also follows his period of time questioning his sexuality and learning how to fit in and make friends. I thought this was a really sweet memoir and loved how it tied in really key topics you want young people to be reading about into a story they could really get behind about saving the two bears. I was gripped and really loved seeing his determination and loyalty to the animal kingdom. I really hope more young people get their hands on this and read it.
I wish I had more to say on it to express how lovely it was but honestly, all I can say is read it and find out for yourself.
4 out of 5 stars.
I wish I had more to say on it to express how lovely it was but honestly, all I can say is read it and find out for yourself.
4 out of 5 stars.
This was about justice, standing up for the voiceless, and helping people see that animals were more than food or entertainment. They had their own unique lives and deserved the same decency and respect that we all yearn for.
Justin Barker had an amazing resilience and sense of what is really important from such a young age, I can't do anything if not envy the early wisdom of this former kid.
I've been vegan for almost 8 years, after being vegetarian for 4. You can see how this book was calling me, and it pushed me to become an activist for animal rights after wasting one year thinking about it. I regret not doing this sooner.
Justin was not only the kid I wish I was, but also what I hope the future generations will be: caring, smart, compassionate, full of hope and dreams for a better world, and an incredible amount of willingness to go to any length to see the change, the justice, this world deserves.
I could go on praising this book and author for pages, but a long review would take away the actual pleasure of discovering this little hero and his incredible achievement, and I'm pretty sure you'd be mad at me for keeping you from putting your hands on a copy sooner. What I can still say is that I will recommend it to anyone who'd listen, already aware of this important topic or not. This little treasure gave me chills, watery eyes, a wild fire burning in my chest. I can say without any doubt that this book made it to the short list of my all time favourites, the books that have meant more to me, and that I will go back whenever I need to be pumped up when I feel down, or when I need to feel understood, or simply to remind myself of the incredible things anyone can do, for a better world.
This book was more than a simply memoir to me, it's a reminder and a light in the dark, it's hope condensed in ink.
What is important to you? Who will you stand up for? How will you make the world a better place?
Rating: ★★★★★
***Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
5+ - Wow. Every parent and teen should read this YA memoir. Justin is a true inspiration as is his story that is superbly written here in "Bear Boy." I read it in an afternoon and got copies to pass on to friends too. This is what living life is all about - recognizing that we are part of a whole and the interconnectedness of all beings. What larger meaning in life is there than fighting for the justice and well being of all sentient beings? If everyone were more like Justin, this world would be a very different (insert thriving and happy) place. #bemorelikejustin
Bear Boy is primarily the story of one teenage boy and his crusade to help rescue two endangered black bears from the squalid conditions of their former zoo habitat, but it's also the story of how that teen boy navigated a great deal of confusion and turmoil to arrive at a true sense of self and belonging because of his efforts as an activist in the turbulent 90s. A complex story, and one full of many twists and turns, Bear Boy also stands as an example of how people are often far more than we give them credit for at first blush and that even children can rise and stand for things that they believe in strongly enough to see those beliefs through to completion. I don't think there's a lot more I can say about the book other than to say that I was impressed with the things that Justin managed to do with little more than the efforts of his own two hands, one voice, and a whole lot of legwork and phone calls. I think this book could inspire many kids like Justin, waiting for the world to give them something to invest in and grow from. I, for one, hope it does.
This book is a YA memoir, our author is also the protagonist. Tells us the story of how at a young age he became an animal activist and found himself living in his own coming-of-age story. Justin is a boy who is sensitive and has problems connecting with others at school and at home, he is bullied and he feels like his family does not understand him. So, he usually keeps his head down but one day, he finds inspiration in a book where he acquires motivation and passion to give voice to those who don't have one, animals. He vigorously researches ways to help, to make a difference and he starts slow by being vegetarian, then he looks in the zoo’s conditions and from there he finds direction towards something bigger. In his fight to help animals, he not only discovers his own voice but his true value.
It was unbelievable that by asking the right questions, working hard, and insisting that people pay attention I could actually have an impact in the world...
A beautiful memoir of self-love, passion, dedication, tenacity and identity. It's a pretty straightforward plot, his writing style is simple but with so much emotion that it is perfect for young readers to be captivated and encouraged to speak up. It's a short read but with a lot of impact, he gives us hard facts, humor and sentiment. In other words, this book is excellent, something I would totally recommend and can't wait to share with my own boys.
It was unbelievable that by asking the right questions, working hard, and insisting that people pay attention I could actually have an impact in the world...
A beautiful memoir of self-love, passion, dedication, tenacity and identity. It's a pretty straightforward plot, his writing style is simple but with so much emotion that it is perfect for young readers to be captivated and encouraged to speak up. It's a short read but with a lot of impact, he gives us hard facts, humor and sentiment. In other words, this book is excellent, something I would totally recommend and can't wait to share with my own boys.
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I got an ARC of this book.
So I am all about saving animals. I am the first person to leap from a car to see if I can save an animal in the street. I have been late to work and lost all of my cookies bribing stray dogs into my car and getting them medical care. My boss is so used to this that she just asks me to save her a single cookie or send her pictures of my new friends. I am the type to bottle feed animals that are rejected by their mother and find them homes, even when my life is falling apart. The few times I skipped school, was to go to animal rights protests (I was caught on the news). So I understand a bit of what Barker did and felt. I focus more on the animals in front of me, Barker focuses more on animals that need bigger help. I respect and appreciate Barker.
The book was really quick. It very much read as middle grade or maybe young adult. I appreciated this. I loved that Jane Goodall was the one who wrote the introduction. Goodall is a HUGE name in the animal world and someone that would be beyond incredible to ever meet. Seeing her endorsing the book and her knowing of Barker was huge.
My main issue with the book is that Barker never renounced PETA or acted like they were anything but perfect. I was also a member of PETA at one point, well the young adult version. Peta has been called out for so many things from blaming dairy for Autism to flat out lying about what is happening. There have been allegations for years, I learned about that within a few weeks of joining PETA and immediately stopped. With all of those controversies around PETA it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that Barker did not at least mention the issues or say that he his organization is doing things differently. Something to recognize that the group is not perfect. Instead, if I was the right age range for this book I would have thought PETA was amazing and wanted to join. This feels false and makes me question Barker as an activist.
If you ignore my issues with PETA, then this was a great read. It helped show just how much difference one person can make if they aren’t afraid to run up a phone bill. He earned the nickname of Bear Boy at 14 years old. At 13 he was taking on a zoo that did not provide what the animals needed. This is exactly the sort of book I needed in middle school. He is very much a role model for supporting and helping animals. I may not agree with him on all points, but we can agree that animals deserve better.
I got an ARC of this book.
So I am all about saving animals. I am the first person to leap from a car to see if I can save an animal in the street. I have been late to work and lost all of my cookies bribing stray dogs into my car and getting them medical care. My boss is so used to this that she just asks me to save her a single cookie or send her pictures of my new friends. I am the type to bottle feed animals that are rejected by their mother and find them homes, even when my life is falling apart. The few times I skipped school, was to go to animal rights protests (I was caught on the news). So I understand a bit of what Barker did and felt. I focus more on the animals in front of me, Barker focuses more on animals that need bigger help. I respect and appreciate Barker.
The book was really quick. It very much read as middle grade or maybe young adult. I appreciated this. I loved that Jane Goodall was the one who wrote the introduction. Goodall is a HUGE name in the animal world and someone that would be beyond incredible to ever meet. Seeing her endorsing the book and her knowing of Barker was huge.
My main issue with the book is that Barker never renounced PETA or acted like they were anything but perfect. I was also a member of PETA at one point, well the young adult version. Peta has been called out for so many things from blaming dairy for Autism to flat out lying about what is happening. There have been allegations for years, I learned about that within a few weeks of joining PETA and immediately stopped. With all of those controversies around PETA it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that Barker did not at least mention the issues or say that he his organization is doing things differently. Something to recognize that the group is not perfect. Instead, if I was the right age range for this book I would have thought PETA was amazing and wanted to join. This feels false and makes me question Barker as an activist.
If you ignore my issues with PETA, then this was a great read. It helped show just how much difference one person can make if they aren’t afraid to run up a phone bill. He earned the nickname of Bear Boy at 14 years old. At 13 he was taking on a zoo that did not provide what the animals needed. This is exactly the sort of book I needed in middle school. He is very much a role model for supporting and helping animals. I may not agree with him on all points, but we can agree that animals deserve better.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Incredibly inspiring!! I finished this all in one sitting and I feel infused with a new determination to fight for the causes i believe in
An interesting book about a young man who is so outraged by animal cruelty that he starts a campaign to free two bears from their very restrictive cage. Not always a comfortable read, as it is told from the point of view of his teenage self, he appears a little lost with parents who aren't there when he gets in from school. One day he reads a book about animal rights and when he discovers that animals are taken from Africa and kept in terrible conditions in many Zoos in the US, he is outraged. His fervour for improving life for animals, including going vegetarian overnight is impressive. I don't agree with the way that he forces his friends to watch a PETA video in order for them to become vegetarian. Especially when he then says he is then able to accept his friend because tried to be vegetarian for a month. We also follow his journey of exploring his sexuality which was moving as he related to the way animals are bullied and funny when he discovers the Spice Girls. A bit over the top in places but I guess that is how he was able to make a difference for 2 bears in appalling conditions.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.