Description

The powerful, humorous, and sensitive story of Jasper, a talented young artist learning to face his anger.

Shortlisted for the 2025 Young Adult Book Award, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults Winner of the 2024 Storylines Tessa Duder YA Award

Jasper Robinson-Woods is not okay. His name is too long, his mom has an annoying boyfriend, he never sees his dad, and he can't sleep because of a terrifying nightmare. To make matters worse, his goldfish is dying.

Overwhelmed by bad thoughts, Jasper wonders if they're a warning of something worse to come. The only place he feels safe is in the tree in his front yard. But when the unimaginable happens and his nightmare becomes reality, Jasper decides it's finally time to face it head-on.

Bear is a moving, often laugh-out-loud funny story about friendship, fear, and finding hope. It shows that even when you hit rock bottom, you never know what--or who--might be waiting around the corner.

Praise for Bear: "Tender and wickedly humorous--such an important story." - Karen Foxlee "Very funny, very well written, and an accurate look into a teenager's changing world." - Linda Thompson, NZ Herald "Wonderfully fresh and engaging." - Tessa Duder