
This weekly meme has allowed me to celebrate middle grade books that deserve more attention and shouting about! Each week, Twitter buzzes with extra love for middle grade titles!
To Join In…
- Choose a middle grade novel you have read recently and want to recommend, share the publishing information
- Turn to page 11 and share your favourite sentence
- Choose 3 words to describe the book
- Share the link to your review or write a review

There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his research takes them to an Arctic outpost for six months. But one night April catches a glimpse of something distinctly bear-shaped loping across the horizon. A polar bear who shouldn’t be here- who is hungry, lonely and a long way from home. A bear who is missing something- just like April. As their unlikely bond grows, April is determined to save her new friend, and so begins the biggest, most important journey of her life. A journey to save Bear. And- maybe- April herself.
Favourite Sentence from Page 11: “There was a thin layer of dust coating everything, and a horrible feeling of something missing- a feeling that April never quite knew how to put into words.”
Three Words to Describe The Last Bear: Journey, Important, Heartwarming
Review: There has been a huge amount of hype surrounding the publication of The Last Bear, and it is all entirely true. This important and relevant story will have readers gripped and following this journey with a keen sense of wonder.
This is ultimately a story with many emotions- hope, courage, loneliness and love and the reader will follow this rollercoaster- you will likely need a tissue on your journey. With vital messages on friendship, environmental impacts and making choices, this enchanting book will do wonders for children looking to the future.
I think children and adults alike will fall under the spell of April and Bear. I certainly did and this is one for the permanent collection!