Scan barcode
terhill's review
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I received an ARC in change of an honest review through NetGalley, all the opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC.
My Rating: 3.5
I did quite enjoy reading this book but I felt the pace was too slow for such a short book.
The story is based on a true story about James Barker, that finds out he's an animal lover and falls in love with two adult bears. Brutus and Ursula are these two bears that live in poor conditions in the Sacramento Zoo.
Justin makes his life goal to get a better home for them and gets everyone involved in the project.
We also follow Justin figuring out his sexuality and his taste in music and such.
I'm not too fond of rating memoirs/autobiographies because it's someone else's life and it seems wrong to do so. But just because I found it okay doesn't mean you won't like it.
My Rating: 3.5
I did quite enjoy reading this book but I felt the pace was too slow for such a short book.
The story is based on a true story about James Barker, that finds out he's an animal lover and falls in love with two adult bears. Brutus and Ursula are these two bears that live in poor conditions in the Sacramento Zoo.
Justin makes his life goal to get a better home for them and gets everyone involved in the project.
We also follow Justin figuring out his sexuality and his taste in music and such.
I'm not too fond of rating memoirs/autobiographies because it's someone else's life and it seems wrong to do so. But just because I found it okay doesn't mean you won't like it.
pbr3's review
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
inspiring, moving true story about a young boy's activism for animal rights!
paulalovesbooks's review
3.0
Muy lindo e inspiradora la historia. Se respira el cambio y es genial saber cómo las personas pueden hacer grandes cambios.
Leer esto me recuerda esta frase: “Ser Joven y no ser revolucionario es una contradicción hasta biológica” o como diría Taylor Swift “only the young can run” jajaja
Un libro sobre grandes sueños que se alcanzan con pasos lentos pero seguros, y que el cambio está al alcance siempre y cuando lo queramos, aunque tengas a una multitud en contra.
Leer esto me recuerda esta frase: “Ser Joven y no ser revolucionario es una contradicción hasta biológica” o como diría Taylor Swift “only the young can run” jajaja
Un libro sobre grandes sueños que se alcanzan con pasos lentos pero seguros, y que el cambio está al alcance siempre y cuando lo queramos, aunque tengas a una multitud en contra.
maireadreads's review
4.0
“What is important to you?
Who will you stand up for?
How will you make the world a better place?”
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
———
Synopsis:
‘Bear Boy’ is a YA memoir and coming-of-age story with a twist. It follows Justin as he navigates teenage life, a rocky relationship with his parents and his sexuality. However, his life begins to change when he discovers that animals, in particular Ursula and Brutus, sibling black bears from a nearby zoo, are being kept in horrific conditions. As he fights to free the bears and to improve conditions for animals in zoos, Justin discovers a passion for activism and quickly learns that no one is too small to make a difference.
Review:
Anyone who knows me will know that I love books about animals, and so I was very excited when Netgalley offerred me an eARC of ‘Bear Boy’. However, this book was so much more than a simple coming-of-age story with bears. It was an incredible inspiring and moving story about a lonely teenager whose passion for animal activism is fuelled by the devastating living conditions of two bears.
Its simplistic yet captivating style captured my attention from the very beginning, and I found myself finishing the book in only a few hours. Barker’s raw and honest descriptions of the animal’s conditions as well as his determination provoked empathy and encouraged me to find ways in which I could take action. You come away feeling that no one is too small to make a difference and that one can achieve anything they set their mind on.
This is a story of hope and humanity that covered many themes which I feel audiences, especially younger audiences, will relate to. Although a challenging read at times, this book was also heartfelt and hopeful and I encourage everyone to give it a read.
Who will you stand up for?
How will you make the world a better place?”
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
———
Synopsis:
‘Bear Boy’ is a YA memoir and coming-of-age story with a twist. It follows Justin as he navigates teenage life, a rocky relationship with his parents and his sexuality. However, his life begins to change when he discovers that animals, in particular Ursula and Brutus, sibling black bears from a nearby zoo, are being kept in horrific conditions. As he fights to free the bears and to improve conditions for animals in zoos, Justin discovers a passion for activism and quickly learns that no one is too small to make a difference.
Review:
Anyone who knows me will know that I love books about animals, and so I was very excited when Netgalley offerred me an eARC of ‘Bear Boy’. However, this book was so much more than a simple coming-of-age story with bears. It was an incredible inspiring and moving story about a lonely teenager whose passion for animal activism is fuelled by the devastating living conditions of two bears.
Its simplistic yet captivating style captured my attention from the very beginning, and I found myself finishing the book in only a few hours. Barker’s raw and honest descriptions of the animal’s conditions as well as his determination provoked empathy and encouraged me to find ways in which I could take action. You come away feeling that no one is too small to make a difference and that one can achieve anything they set their mind on.
This is a story of hope and humanity that covered many themes which I feel audiences, especially younger audiences, will relate to. Although a challenging read at times, this book was also heartfelt and hopeful and I encourage everyone to give it a read.
kikibookclub's review
5.0
An incredible story of passion, persistence, and the long journey to justice. This is a topic close to my own heart, and if the next generation need any more inspiration, they will definitely find it here, along with a few ideas on how to effect change (hint: it’s all about the press).
As a 13-year-old, the best I could do in my small city was become a vegetarian and tell all my friends about it – the word ‘protest’ was almost laughable. With the BLM and SS4C movements in recent years at my university, protests are becoming a lot more common.
Thank you, Justin, for your dedication to animal rights, and for writing a story that I truly believe will inspire people the way that pink book in the second-hand store inspired you.
As a 13-year-old, the best I could do in my small city was become a vegetarian and tell all my friends about it – the word ‘protest’ was almost laughable. With the BLM and SS4C movements in recent years at my university, protests are becoming a lot more common.
Thank you, Justin, for your dedication to animal rights, and for writing a story that I truly believe will inspire people the way that pink book in the second-hand store inspired you.
stuckonchapter13's review
4.0
I usually don't pick up non-fiction. But the premise for this was far too intriguing to not read it. This story tells the tale of a young boy that learns about advocating for the thing he cares for: animal rights. I genuinely admire Barker for all he accomplished and it's his determination. This was an extremely charming and fun read that demonstrates the importance of speaking out for things you care for. Sweet and quick, this is a story for all animal lovers.
Thank you, NetGalley, Brutus & Ursula, and Justin Barker for the arc!
Thank you, NetGalley, Brutus & Ursula, and Justin Barker for the arc!
kaitlinleppert's review
4.0
"This was about justice, standing up for the voiceless, and helping people see that animals were more than food or entertainment."
This quote sums up the way Justin feels about his passion for animals in Bear Boy. At times this passion felt very intense for me as a reader, but I kept reading because I wanted to see where this journey would take him (and the bears!).
Although parts of the story (the bear focus, the personal journey, etc) felt a bit disjointed to me, it came together beautifully at the end. In the end, this story was about discovering your place in the world, pursuing your passion, and realizing how important it is to be yourself and not give up on your dreams.
Readers who are passionate about animal welfare will love this story. Young people who are grappling with their place in the world or their passions would also enjoy this story. (There is some adult language, so heads up).
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This quote sums up the way Justin feels about his passion for animals in Bear Boy. At times this passion felt very intense for me as a reader, but I kept reading because I wanted to see where this journey would take him (and the bears!).
Although parts of the story (the bear focus, the personal journey, etc) felt a bit disjointed to me, it came together beautifully at the end. In the end, this story was about discovering your place in the world, pursuing your passion, and realizing how important it is to be yourself and not give up on your dreams.
Readers who are passionate about animal welfare will love this story. Young people who are grappling with their place in the world or their passions would also enjoy this story. (There is some adult language, so heads up).
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
kdbug's review
4.0
Until Bear Boy, I don't think I had ever read a book in less than 12 hours. Justin's general sassiness captured my heart. I didn't realize when I requested this book from NetGalley, that this was a nonfiction story. Generally, I don't read those. I have to admit though that this didn't read like what I would consider to be a typical nonfiction story.
I originally chose this book because it was marked as LGBTQ+ but those elements really took a backseat to the animal activism and I didn't find myself caring very much. I just loved reading about all the good that Justin was doing for the world and watching him grow in his own confidence.
When this book is published, I HIGHLY suggest you buy it and gift it to a young person in your life (or yourself if you are a young person). This is exactly the type of book that I needed when I was growing up and trying to figure out where I belonged in the world. It's truly empowering.
I originally chose this book because it was marked as LGBTQ+ but those elements really took a backseat to the animal activism and I didn't find myself caring very much. I just loved reading about all the good that Justin was doing for the world and watching him grow in his own confidence.
When this book is published, I HIGHLY suggest you buy it and gift it to a young person in your life (or yourself if you are a young person). This is exactly the type of book that I needed when I was growing up and trying to figure out where I belonged in the world. It's truly empowering.
universeccity's review
4.0
I finished Bear Boy three hours ago. And it's been two hours since I sat in front of my computer saying I was going to write a review but I could barely write a word. This book left me speechless.
I only started reading memoirs very recently but Bear Boy is definitely one of my favorite memoirs until now and WOW Justin Barker has one of the most amazing stories I ever saw.
During Bear Boy, we see not only the trajectory of Barker's journey to save Ursula and Brutus but also his personal growth. It was a fast reading and most of the time I got really excited to know what was going to happen next and since the very beginning, I found myself questioning why I never did even half of the effort Justin did? Because, sincerely, I didn't have much things that could stop me from doing it. It was a very reflexive and enjoyable reading and I recommend it for everyone.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I only started reading memoirs very recently but Bear Boy is definitely one of my favorite memoirs until now and WOW Justin Barker has one of the most amazing stories I ever saw.
During Bear Boy, we see not only the trajectory of Barker's journey to save Ursula and Brutus but also his personal growth. It was a fast reading and most of the time I got really excited to know what was going to happen next and since the very beginning, I found myself questioning why I never did even half of the effort Justin did? Because, sincerely, I didn't have much things that could stop me from doing it. It was a very reflexive and enjoyable reading and I recommend it for everyone.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
isabella_hansen's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Brutus & Ursula LLC for the privilege of reading an ARC of this book.
It’s the true story of a young boy standing up for what he believes in, and doing the right thing. No matter how insurmountable it seemed. This is the proof that everyone can make our world a better place, and even children can make a powerfull impact. Which is an important lesson to teach all children.
What Justin Barker did for Brutus, Ursula and all the other animals is inspiring. Bear Boy is a true story that should be taught in school, to help educate children about acceptance and humanity.
This is the proof that we are all capable of amacing feats, if we persevere and stand up for ourselves and for others.
It’s the true story of a young boy standing up for what he believes in, and doing the right thing. No matter how insurmountable it seemed. This is the proof that everyone can make our world a better place, and even children can make a powerfull impact. Which is an important lesson to teach all children.
What Justin Barker did for Brutus, Ursula and all the other animals is inspiring. Bear Boy is a true story that should be taught in school, to help educate children about acceptance and humanity.
This is the proof that we are all capable of amacing feats, if we persevere and stand up for ourselves and for others.