The I Survived Series in the novel format is fun, but I think they were (especially I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 Graphic Novel) was meant for the graphic novel genre. However, for the sensitive reader, there might be a few images and situations that might not be great for them.
Adapted by Georgia Ball from the Lauren Tarshis series, there is no question what side the author is on when it comes to who is the “good bear” and who is the “bad human.” Though, humans can be a “good bear” too, when they learn that they must give a Hoot and Don’t Pollute (My 80s childhood called). A great book about history and environmentalism all rolled into a story of loss and love.
When a young girl is made to go on the yearly summer trip with her grandfather and brother, after the death of her mother, she must deal with the loneliness of the loss of her mother (as memories are everywhere) and the situation with the grizzlies. They are not acting normal. They are coming too close to humans and the camp. They are attacking with seemingly no provocation. And when she learns the reason behind this catastrophe, it is a lot worse than she could have imagined and more deadly.
Based on the national park incident in the late 1960s this book shows how the country reacted to nature, what it learned and the people who gave a darn and helped not just change one place, but the entire park system. And Berat Pekmezci covers all of this with bold, mostly kid friendly images (as said, a more sensitive reader might not be completely comfortable with the different bear attacks, the character who is shown after he has fallen hitting his head, and some scaring on another character) that express the feelings and sentiments perfectly.
An afterwards tells more of what actually happened during this summer (as our novel covers a fictionalized event). It does talk about the actual deaths of the two women killed, the bears themselves and more information on environmentalism, proper wildlife interactions (in short, don’t. And yes, looking at you bison-photo-taking-people) and much more.
