I thought I wrote a review for this a while ago, but apparently it never saved. I fell in love with this book right away. They say never judge a book by it's cover, but I did and it lived up to expectations. I felt so many emotions throughout the duration of reading this amazing book. The bond that Arthur and the polar bear made pulled at my heartstrings. This is a book I have added to my classroom library to share with my students. We have had so many wonderful discussions about this book!

When I first read about this book it sounded pretty good, enough for me to pick it up, but it was SO GOOD! Like so good that even though it was a school week, I read it in 2 days!

First, it takes place in a time period that is hardly ever in books which is fascinating. I found myself looking up some of the history that was mentioned in the book, but the author did a great job of making sure that not knowing about the details of the time period wouldn’t effect the reading experience.

Second, it looks at animal treatment and truly makes you think about how an animal feels when it is put in captivity. Although told only in a realistic manner, the animal is such an integral part of the story that its behaviors are shared in detail allowing it to become a full character within the book.

Third, did you know there used to be a menagerie in the Tower of London? Me neither! But that took me down a suck hole of Google research. So fascinating!

Fourth, wow! The adventure is EPIC: sailing, bullies, pirates, shipwrecks, storms. It never stops!

So in review: Fascinating, thought-provoking, curious, and action-packed. All in all, a book I truly recommend and enjoyed.

Arthur is a young runaway escaping an abusive stepfather. He steals a bit of supper and is on the run from a couple of thugs when he discovers the captive bear. Of course he is afraid of the bear, but he also feels a connection with it. The bear is a gift from King Haakon IV of Norway to King Henry III of England. Because of his affinity to the bear, Arthur joins the expedition. Of course the thugs from earlier are part of the crew and continue to torment Arthur. He takes solace in caring for the bear. After they are attacked by pirates and run aground during a storm, Arthur frees the bear thinking it will drown. The two enjoy their freedom on land and discover a bond with each other. But of course they must go back to civilization.

I enjoyed Arthur's journey with the pale bear. You definitely feel like Arthur that the bear is worth saving and mourn its captivity. I found their bond really interesting. I especially enjoyed the fact that this story is based on real events. There truly was a captive bear in Henry III's menagerie that did actually swim in the Thames. I kind of wish the story would have continued a bit more to see how Arthur and the bear fared.

Oh, I found this to be such a sad but memorable story. It will make you think and feel and wonder... Arthur Welsh is a poor homeless Norwegian boy who finds passage on a ship to England as the caretaker of a capitive polar bear, a gift for the King of England, Henry. The conditions for the bear are worse than the boy but one can't help but consider both as victims of their circumstances, powerless and captive. The ship is attacked by pirates which frees both the bear and boy but they are both recaptured. After Arthur releases the bear to the King, he and his doctor friend are no longer required -- for a time but the bear won't eat so they ask Arthur to help out. Arthur thinks the bear misses being a bear and convinces the king to let the bear swim daily in he river Thames which actually did happen in history -- no one knows why. I hated the captivity of the bear but I loved this story and the bond of friendship between animal and man.