A story of love, loss, and hope, “The Bear” is an engaging and suspenseful story that follows five-year-old Anna and her three-year-old brother as they find themselves stranded in the woods following a bear attack on their family. The story is told through the young girl’s eyes as she wrestles with her grief while trying to get herself and her brother to safety. In a senior secondary English class, the novel would be suitable for a whole-class study or independent reading. The point of view and style of the narrative lend themselves to an examination of its literary elements and how they impact meaning. The story’s themes may invite students to connect and respond to it in personal, critical, and creative ways.