Bearstone

Bearstone

• Genre: Young adult fiction; adventure; coming of age
• Originally Published: 1989
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 780L; young adult (ages 14 and up)
• Structure/Length: Novel; approximately 154 pages; approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Bearstone is a young adult novel by Will Hobbs. The central conflict revolves around Cloyd, a troubled teenager who has been sent to a remote Colorado ranch to work as part of his probation. While at the ranch, Cloyd encounters an orphaned bear cub and forms a deep bond with the animal. As he cares for the cub and learns about the wilderness, Cloyd begins to find purpose and healing in his life. The novel explores themes of redemption, the power of nature, and the transformative impact of relationships. Will Hobbs’s storytelling is known for its authentic wilderness settings and coming-of-age themes.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes related to juvenile delinquency, wilderness survival, and the challenges faced by troubled youth; descriptions of animal death

Will Hobbs, Author

• Bio: American author acclaimed for his young adult novels that often feature outdoor adventures and coming-of-age themes; known for his realistic portrayal of wilderness settings
• Other Works: Downriver (1991); Beardance (1993); Far North (1996)
• Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults; Winner, Mountain and Plains Booksellers Association Regional Book Award

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• The Hurt You Get Over: Overcoming Adversity
• The Need for Family
• The Native American Identity and Forgiving Oppressors

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the cultural and historical contexts regarding the oppression of Indigenous communities by European and US governments, which impacts the protagonist Cloyd and his maturation as a young Ute boy.
• Analyze paired texts and other brief resources to make connections via the text’s themes of The Hurt You Get Over: Overcoming Adversity, The Need for Family, and The Native American Identity and Forgiving Oppressors.
• Research and prepare for a presentation on the sacred animals of Indigenous tribes to demonstrate an understanding of the central motif of bearstone, based on textual details.