PEARLY EVERLASTING

Jean Ann Douglass narrates this Depression-era story of an orphaned runt bear that is saved by the cook at an isolated logging camp and raised to be part of the cook's family and the camp community. When a savage death occurs, Bruno the bear is blamed, kidnapped, and sold. The cook's daughter, Pearly, determined to save her "brother" from certain death, sets off on a perilous journey across a cruel and frozen landscape to bring him home. Douglass infuses Pearly with steeliness that arises from a hard life instilled with family love. Pearly must fight the prejudice and ostracism that surround her unusual family. Douglass's magic is instilling this extraordinary story with realism and illuminating values we all should embrace. L.M.G. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2024]