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The Water Bears
A quirky, empowering story about a boy recovering from a bear attack with the help of his friends and, maybe, some magic. For fans of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones and The Canning Season by Polly Horvath.
Newt Gomez has a thing with bears. Having survived a bear attack last year, he now finds an unusual bear statue. Newt's best friend thinks the statue grants wishes. But even as more people wish on the bear and their wishes come true, Newt is not a believer.
But Newt has a wish while he loves his home on eccentric Murphy Island, he wants to go to middle school on the mainland, where his warm extended family lives. There, he's not the only Latinx kid, and he won't have to drive the former taco truck--a gift from his parents--or perform in the talent show. Most importantly, on the mainland, he never has bad dreams about the attack. Newt is almost ready to make a secret wish when everything changes.
Tackling themes of survival and self-acceptance, Newt's story illuminates the magic in our world, where reality is often uncertain but always full of salvageable wonders.
Newt Gomez has a thing with bears. Having survived a bear attack last year, he now finds an unusual bear statue. Newt's best friend thinks the statue grants wishes. But even as more people wish on the bear and their wishes come true, Newt is not a believer.
But Newt has a wish while he loves his home on eccentric Murphy Island, he wants to go to middle school on the mainland, where his warm extended family lives. There, he's not the only Latinx kid, and he won't have to drive the former taco truck--a gift from his parents--or perform in the talent show. Most importantly, on the mainland, he never has bad dreams about the attack. Newt is almost ready to make a secret wish when everything changes.
Tackling themes of survival and self-acceptance, Newt's story illuminates the magic in our world, where reality is often uncertain but always full of salvageable wonders.
272 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
December 2, 2021
Set on a quaint artists' island, this is a coming of age story about Newt
Fans of coming of age stories like My Jasper June, Willa and the Whale or The Line Tender will want to give this one a try.
Fans of coming of age stories like My Jasper June, Willa and the Whale or The Line Tender will want to give this one a try.
April 11, 2020
I recieved this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In short: this book just didn't do it for me, and it wasn't because it's a middle-grade.
First, as an ownvoices reviewer, I want to talk about the latinx aspec of this book, and emphasize that I didn't have a problem with it at all. There was some instances where the Spanish felt weird and not grammatically correct, but I can easily believe it's because none of the characters live in a Spanish-speaking country, and most of them never have. Like, eating "fideo" means you're having one single spaghetti, and it sounds like something a small kid would say, but it's mentioned over and over that the MC's family is the only latina one that he knows of, so I understand that, in isolation, language tends to change.
Also, as an advanced psychology student, I have no complaints about the trauma and PTSD portrayed in this book. Though I would've liked it more if the flashback dreams weren't cured by magic and we got to see a therapist in action, but fiction tends to hate us for whatever reason lol
The plot and the magical realism elements, though... they didn't convince me. I like when there's no explanation as to how magic works in a story, but this was told in such a way that it was possible that magic didn't even exist at all, that it was just some annoying kid's idea, and the rest of the plot wasn't strong enough to stand of its own if this was the case.
The bear statue was interesting at the beginning, but then it spent the rest of the book sitting in the back of a taco truck and maybe doing something but we're not sure, so if you believe that it's doing nothing it turns into a boring plot point and that's it. The mission they go on at the end to retrieve it wasn't high stakes at all, and it didn't even feel like an adventure as much as the book wanted us to believe it was. Like, I'm not saying the 12 year olds should be in risk of getting murdered or something, but it's said that there's no way that their parents catch them, no other adult will snitch on them, the "bad" guy (really, I finished it and I still don't know what his problem is) doesn't want to hurt them, they can safely get to his house and back... it's like you're telling me they're going to Target.
And there was a Loch Ness monster situation going on, but every time it was mentioned the MC would start rambling about how annoying it was that people believe it exists, so I got annoyed to every time someone brought it up, and it didn't really add anything to the story? Maybe to the island's atmosphere, but I didn't really feel like it was well developed in the first place.
Oh and I can't commit to the suspension of disbelief this book asked of me when it told me "an adult, coherent man gives his 13 year old son an old and semi-broken taco truck that he can drive without a license as a birthday gift"
In short: this book just didn't do it for me, and it wasn't because it's a middle-grade.
First, as an ownvoices reviewer, I want to talk about the latinx aspec of this book, and emphasize that I didn't have a problem with it at all. There was some instances where the Spanish felt weird and not grammatically correct, but I can easily believe it's because none of the characters live in a Spanish-speaking country, and most of them never have. Like, eating "fideo" means you're having one single spaghetti, and it sounds like something a small kid would say, but it's mentioned over and over that the MC's family is the only latina one that he knows of, so I understand that, in isolation, language tends to change.
Also, as an advanced psychology student, I have no complaints about the trauma and PTSD portrayed in this book. Though I would've liked it more if the flashback dreams weren't cured by magic and we got to see a therapist in action, but fiction tends to hate us for whatever reason lol
The plot and the magical realism elements, though... they didn't convince me. I like when there's no explanation as to how magic works in a story, but this was told in such a way that it was possible that magic didn't even exist at all, that it was just some annoying kid's idea, and the rest of the plot wasn't strong enough to stand of its own if this was the case.
The bear statue was interesting at the beginning, but then it spent the rest of the book sitting in the back of a taco truck and maybe doing something but we're not sure, so if you believe that it's doing nothing it turns into a boring plot point and that's it. The mission they go on at the end to retrieve it wasn't high stakes at all, and it didn't even feel like an adventure as much as the book wanted us to believe it was. Like, I'm not saying the 12 year olds should be in risk of getting murdered or something, but it's said that there's no way that their parents catch them, no other adult will snitch on them, the "bad" guy (really, I finished it and I still don't know what his problem is) doesn't want to hurt them, they can safely get to his house and back... it's like you're telling me they're going to Target.
And there was a Loch Ness monster situation going on, but every time it was mentioned the MC would start rambling about how annoying it was that people believe it exists, so I got annoyed to every time someone brought it up, and it didn't really add anything to the story? Maybe to the island's atmosphere, but I didn't really feel like it was well developed in the first place.
Oh and I can't commit to the suspension of disbelief this book asked of me when it told me "an adult, coherent man gives his 13 year old son an old and semi-broken taco truck that he can drive without a license as a birthday gift"
April 30, 2020
What a deceiving cover… At first glance, it makes me think of a cutsie childhood story. But this book was anything but childish. Thirteen-year-old Newt Gomez recently survived a bear attack. He’s struggled with the memory of the attack, but he doesn’t want to be known only as “the boy who survived a bear attack.” Lately, he’s been wanting to leave his quirky Murphy Island to live with his abuela on the mainland as he enters seventh grade. He keeps pushing the issue of changing schools with his parents, but they’re just not very supportive. When Newt unexpectedly encounters a bear statue that grants wishes, he knows what his one wish will be. That is… until the bear is stolen and it looks like he missed his chance. With typical school relationship issues, a mythological creature on the loose, a potential non-existent friend named Izzy, extended family relationship ups and downs, a mother’s secrets uncovered, and Latinx representation, there’s so much more going on in this book than I can fit into one little paragraph. But it was a very quick and engaging read.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
May 21, 2020
A thoughtful and beautifully written story that addresses the themes of growing up, love, belonging, friendship, family, and overcoming fear.
November 21, 2019
Newt lives in a small community of a island, and not only is he the only Mexican-American boy in his class, but the only boy who has been attacked by a bear. Newt wants to be known for something other than a bear attack, and so wants to leave the island to find a new community to belong to.
And then he finds a magic wooden bear.
Or at least all his friends think it is magic.
This is the most common story of wanting to belong, with a good, well done voice of a young man feeling out of place. It was slow to start, but once it got going, it was interesting to see where it was going to go.
There are some lovely lines in there, when Newt is trying to explain his world, to a newcomer.
Although the publisher says if you like "Unusual Chickens" you will like this book, I'm not so sure. The magic in this book is more subtle, and we aren't quite sure if it is real or not. In "Unusual Chickens," we have fire breathing hens, so we darn well know the magic is real.
Recommended for the second half of the book, once you get past the first part.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
And then he finds a magic wooden bear.
Or at least all his friends think it is magic.
This is the most common story of wanting to belong, with a good, well done voice of a young man feeling out of place. It was slow to start, but once it got going, it was interesting to see where it was going to go.
There are some lovely lines in there, when Newt is trying to explain his world, to a newcomer.
"They freak out the squirrels that live int he attic pretty bad."
"You have squirrels in your attic?"
"Yeah, they're nocturnal. Only on Murphy Island. Nobody knows why."
Although the publisher says if you like "Unusual Chickens" you will like this book, I'm not so sure. The magic in this book is more subtle, and we aren't quite sure if it is real or not. In "Unusual Chickens," we have fire breathing hens, so we darn well know the magic is real.
Recommended for the second half of the book, once you get past the first part.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
May 27, 2020
2 1/2 stars. It was okay. If you read it to only spend time with characters and are interested in a (questionably charming) quirky island community--yes. Leti is cool. Ethan is a favorite. The friendship story is a good one.
This is a good book to talk about the ways in which weird can be good or discomfiting. The taco truck, I think, is supposed to eventually make sense plot-wise, but that initial "what?!" lingers a long while; Newts needs the means to haul around a bear statue he can speak to therapeutically; also a reason for the creepy stranger. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the mother...
I'm not convinced by the recovery aspect of the story.
Many a paragraph were jarring in their composition; not dissimilar to reading neurodiverse characterization/writing.
And there are odd decisions, like relaying necessary exposition via a conversation with the elder brother Carlos--a brother who should know said information intimately already, and in the following sentence confirms it. Why not lead with the actual nightmare and use a similar question to what Carlos asked to talk about the mysterious incident. It was jarring.
That said, I don't think the middle grade reader will notice or care.
This is a good book to talk about the ways in which weird can be good or discomfiting. The taco truck, I think, is supposed to eventually make sense plot-wise, but that initial "what?!" lingers a long while; Newts needs the means to haul around a bear statue he can speak to therapeutically; also a reason for the creepy stranger. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the mother...
I'm not convinced by the recovery aspect of the story.
Many a paragraph were jarring in their composition; not dissimilar to reading neurodiverse characterization/writing.
And there are odd decisions, like relaying necessary exposition via a conversation with the elder brother Carlos--a brother who should know said information intimately already, and in the following sentence confirms it. Why not lead with the actual nightmare and use a similar question to what Carlos asked to talk about the mysterious incident. It was jarring.
That said, I don't think the middle grade reader will notice or care.
March 21, 2020
Newt Gomez is a character to root for. He is struggling with nightmares after surviving a bear attack the summer before. He is about to head to middle school, and struggling to decide if he should move out to the mainland or stay on the quirky island of Murphy, a former vaudeville vacation destination that has now become an eclectic place to call home. He feels drawn to his larger extended family on the mainland, while also pulled to stay for his parents and younger sister. To make things more interesting, Newt's dad gives him an old taco truck for his thirteenth birthday (instead of the bike he wanted). And he finds a bear statue washed up on the beach that becomes a permanent resident in the back of his truck. His friend becomes convinced that the bear can grant wishes. While the bear grants wishes to those around him, Newt struggles to decide what his wish actually is. The protagonist is fascinating, and the setting extraordinary. The plot was meandering and not quite magical as I expected, but the ending is heartwarming and does tie everything together. #LitReviewCrew
May 2, 2022
Read this with my 8 yr old. We really liked it. I felt like he was maybe just slightly too young to understand all of the issues that the book dealt with, but not by much. It still led to some good conversation about many things, and I'd definitely recommend for reading with kids maybe age 9+.
September 4, 2020
Enjoyable read. Struck me as being kind of Gilmore Girls (in terms of small-town quirky charm and characters)--and I love Gilmore Girls, so that was a plus--mixed with magic (which might be real, or might be in the characters' imaginations). I liked the characters (especially Ethan), the descriptions of coastal settings, and the sprinklings of Spanish words and phrases.
Would have liked to see the Mom and Mr. Mustard characters developed a bit more.
Looking forward to sharing this with emerging middle-grade readers in my life.
Would have liked to see the Mom and Mr. Mustard characters developed a bit more.
Looking forward to sharing this with emerging middle-grade readers in my life.
November 8, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I requested this book because I knew the author was a Las Musas author, and I would like to read more stories by Latinx authors this year. I'm also drawn to stories where "quirky" is used to describe it, and that's an excellent word for THE WATER BEARS by Kim Baker.
Newt and his family live on a small island in the Pacific Northwest. He's recovering from a traumatic bear attack that leaves him with nightmares and draws looks of sympathy from the townspeople. He wants to move to the mainland to go to school and live with abuela, but his parents and best friend, Ethan, don't want him to leave Murphy. Things start to get interesting when Newt gets a former taco truck for his birthday, finds a magical bear he names Huxley, and meets a new visitor to the island. Newt needs to decide he's ready to leave the island, and everything that goes along with it, behind me.
There are a lot of humorous moments in this story, but what I enjoyed most was watching Newt start to find pleasure in his life again after such a traumatic event. As his desire to leave the island becomes stronger, so does his connection and ties to it, and I love to watch that sense of peace start to re-emerge in him. I also loved that his Latinx family is an important part of the story, and yet it's not an "issues" book but simply a part of who he is. I was so drawn in by uniqueness of Murphy that I wish that it was an actual place that I could visit and explore; the author really made it come to life for me.
The release date is April 21st, and I would definitely recommend adding it to your TBR list.
I requested this book because I knew the author was a Las Musas author, and I would like to read more stories by Latinx authors this year. I'm also drawn to stories where "quirky" is used to describe it, and that's an excellent word for THE WATER BEARS by Kim Baker.
Newt and his family live on a small island in the Pacific Northwest. He's recovering from a traumatic bear attack that leaves him with nightmares and draws looks of sympathy from the townspeople. He wants to move to the mainland to go to school and live with abuela, but his parents and best friend, Ethan, don't want him to leave Murphy. Things start to get interesting when Newt gets a former taco truck for his birthday, finds a magical bear he names Huxley, and meets a new visitor to the island. Newt needs to decide he's ready to leave the island, and everything that goes along with it, behind me.
There are a lot of humorous moments in this story, but what I enjoyed most was watching Newt start to find pleasure in his life again after such a traumatic event. As his desire to leave the island becomes stronger, so does his connection and ties to it, and I love to watch that sense of peace start to re-emerge in him. I also loved that his Latinx family is an important part of the story, and yet it's not an "issues" book but simply a part of who he is. I was so drawn in by uniqueness of Murphy that I wish that it was an actual place that I could visit and explore; the author really made it come to life for me.
The release date is April 21st, and I would definitely recommend adding it to your TBR list.
November 8, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
I requested this book because I knew the author was a Las Musas author, and I would like to read more stories by Latinx authors this year. I'm also drawn to stories where "quirky" is used to describe it, and that's an excellent word for THE WATER BEARS by Kim Baker.
Newt and his family live on a small island in the Pacific Northwest. He's recovering from a traumatic bear attack that leaves him with nightmares and draws looks of sympathy from the townspeople. He wants to move to the mainland to go to school and live with abuela, but his parents and best friend, Ethan, don't want him to leave Murphy. Things start to get interesting when Newt gets a former taco truck for his birthday, finds a magical bear he names Huxley, and meets a new visitor to the island. Newt needs to decide he's ready to leave the island, and everything that goes along with it, behind me.
There are a lot of humorous moments in this story, but what I enjoyed most was watching Newt start to find pleasure in his life again after such a traumatic event. As his desire to leave the island becomes stronger, so does his connection and ties to it, and I love to watch that sense of peace start to re-emerge in him. I also loved that his Latinx family is an important part of the story, and yet it's not an "issues" book but simply a part of who he is. I was so drawn in by uniqueness of Murphy that I wish that it was an actual place that I could visit and explore; the author really made it come to life for me.
The release date is April 21st, and I would definitely recommend adding it to your TBR list.
I requested this book because I knew the author was a Las Musas author, and I would like to read more stories by Latinx authors this year. I'm also drawn to stories where "quirky" is used to describe it, and that's an excellent word for THE WATER BEARS by Kim Baker.
Newt and his family live on a small island in the Pacific Northwest. He's recovering from a traumatic bear attack that leaves him with nightmares and draws looks of sympathy from the townspeople. He wants to move to the mainland to go to school and live with abuela, but his parents and best friend, Ethan, don't want him to leave Murphy. Things start to get interesting when Newt gets a former taco truck for his birthday, finds a magical bear he names Huxley, and meets a new visitor to the island. Newt needs to decide he's ready to leave the island, and everything that goes along with it, behind me.
There are a lot of humorous moments in this story, but what I enjoyed most was watching Newt start to find pleasure in his life again after such a traumatic event. As his desire to leave the island becomes stronger, so does his connection and ties to it, and I love to watch that sense of peace start to re-emerge in him. I also loved that his Latinx family is an important part of the story, and yet it's not an "issues" book but simply a part of who he is. I was so drawn in by uniqueness of Murphy that I wish that it was an actual place that I could visit and explore; the author really made it come to life for me.
The release date is April 21st, and I would definitely recommend adding it to your TBR list.
January 5, 2020
This book is a sweet, if sometimes slow moving story, of a thirteen year old dealing with trauma, and growing up things.
Newt was attacked by a bear and the story opens with him wishing for a different place where he is not reminded constantly of the thing that happened to him. He wants to leave the island, wants a bike, wants a lot of different things that keep working not quite like he hopes.
I loved the way the story took these imperfect circumstances and tosses them around so they come out working beautifully. Newt learns different ways to create resilience in his situation, there is magic, but also not. And I really enjoyed the ways things moved together.
The weak point of this book maybe was that it does move slowly, but I didn't mind it terribly, myself. There were enough things happening and I felt like those slowly laid pieces early on did have payoff in the end and it worked for me.
Thank you to the publisher for letting me get a copy of this book on NetGalley.
Newt was attacked by a bear and the story opens with him wishing for a different place where he is not reminded constantly of the thing that happened to him. He wants to leave the island, wants a bike, wants a lot of different things that keep working not quite like he hopes.
I loved the way the story took these imperfect circumstances and tosses them around so they come out working beautifully. Newt learns different ways to create resilience in his situation, there is magic, but also not. And I really enjoyed the ways things moved together.
The weak point of this book maybe was that it does move slowly, but I didn't mind it terribly, myself. There were enough things happening and I felt like those slowly laid pieces early on did have payoff in the end and it worked for me.
Thank you to the publisher for letting me get a copy of this book on NetGalley.
May 5, 2020
I love this story of overcoming trauma, of quirky people, of magic, kind of. It’s funny and sad at the same time. It’s a reflection of what really goes on in people’s hearts.
I fell I love with Newton, ‘Newt’ for short, the middle school age hero. He brought back some good childhood memories of my own and new insights of what it means to be human, to be loved, and to love in return.
Newt is Hispanic, a culture that’s seldom represented in children’s literature. Young readers who see themselves in media as belonging to society are much more likely to feel a part of it. They’re more likely to succeed.
As a teacher, I frequently immerse myself in books for children. They are often touchstones for the most important things in life. The Water Bears is definitely one of those special books that will live on for a very long time. It’s destined to be a classic and one I’d recommend for anyone, child or adult.
I fell I love with Newton, ‘Newt’ for short, the middle school age hero. He brought back some good childhood memories of my own and new insights of what it means to be human, to be loved, and to love in return.
Newt is Hispanic, a culture that’s seldom represented in children’s literature. Young readers who see themselves in media as belonging to society are much more likely to feel a part of it. They’re more likely to succeed.
As a teacher, I frequently immerse myself in books for children. They are often touchstones for the most important things in life. The Water Bears is definitely one of those special books that will live on for a very long time. It’s destined to be a classic and one I’d recommend for anyone, child or adult.
June 20, 2020
This is a wonderful and poignant story that middle grade readers will enjoy. It contains a little adventure, some facts about nature, and features a boy who learns the value of friendship and that it is okay to be a little different.
Newt has experienced a traumatic event (the bear attack) and slowly learns to accept what has happened to him. He also learns, with the help of his friends, that he can move on from his experience – and that it is okay to move on in a way of his choosing. Newt learns that despite the bear attack, he can still enjoy moments in his life – and that he can continue to do things that he enjoyed in the past.
I like the message in this story; it is a message that will sit well with preteens when they read the book. They will learn what it is to be accepted; as well as what it means to be different. The Water Bears is a well-written story that will appeal to children who enjoy reading novels that show growth in the main character.
Newt has experienced a traumatic event (the bear attack) and slowly learns to accept what has happened to him. He also learns, with the help of his friends, that he can move on from his experience – and that it is okay to move on in a way of his choosing. Newt learns that despite the bear attack, he can still enjoy moments in his life – and that he can continue to do things that he enjoyed in the past.
I like the message in this story; it is a message that will sit well with preteens when they read the book. They will learn what it is to be accepted; as well as what it means to be different. The Water Bears is a well-written story that will appeal to children who enjoy reading novels that show growth in the main character.
December 30, 2020
Give me a book set in a quirky community with wacky customs and oddball characters, and I'm here for it. I love seeing the interactions in a tight-knit village where everyone knows one another and just accepts the weirdness. In The Water Bears, Newt's family is the only Latinx family on Murphy Island, although they have a large extended family nearby on the mainland. This makes Newt stand out, which everyone knows, is the worst thing ever when you are entering middle school. Add to that, Newt is still dealing with trauma (in the form of recurring nightmares) from a bear attack that he suffered a year ago, Newt turns 13 at the beginning of the story, and instead of giving him a bike as he asked for, Newt's dad gives him an old taco truck that he can only drive around the island. All of this piled together causes Newt to want to leave the island, although his affection for it is more clear to the reader than it is to Newt himself. He wants to go to middle school on the mainland where more kids will look like him, he can be near his cousins and grandma, and everyone doesn't see him as the "bear attack kid." Some of the funniest moments in the story center around the taco truck and Newt's attempts to learn to drive it. Newt's best friend Ethan also provides plenty of humor as well as sympathy. Ethan just wants to help his friend return to his old self and is hurt that Newt wants to leave the island so badly. Izzy, the mysterious girl Newt meets at the beach, and Carlos, Newt's older brother, both serve as confidants to Newt as he struggles with himself, his parents, and where he fits. At the center of the story is a wooden bear that has washed up on the beach. Is it magic, like Ethan believes? What does Newt believe, and what will he do about that?
I love the Spanish words that are blended so effortlessly into the text. I liked Newt and definitely empathized with him, but I liked the secondary characters even more. Newt doesn't always appreciate his home and community, which is very realistic and relatable for kids this age. I laughed and cried, which is a big plus for me, and I thought the ending was appropriately satisfying. I would recommend this book for 4th grade and up, the sweet spot probably 6th grade.
I love the Spanish words that are blended so effortlessly into the text. I liked Newt and definitely empathized with him, but I liked the secondary characters even more. Newt doesn't always appreciate his home and community, which is very realistic and relatable for kids this age. I laughed and cried, which is a big plus for me, and I thought the ending was appropriately satisfying. I would recommend this book for 4th grade and up, the sweet spot probably 6th grade.
December 28, 2020
Give me a book set in a quirky community with wacky customs and oddball characters, and I'm here for it. I love seeing the interactions in a tight-knit village where everyone knows one another and just accepts the weirdness. In The Water Bears, Newt's family is the only Latinx family on Murphy Island, although they have a large extended family nearby on the mainland. This makes Newt stand out, which everyone knows, is the worst thing ever when you are entering middle school. Add to that, Newt is still dealing with trauma (in the form of recurring nightmares) from a bear attack that he suffered a year ago, Newt turns 13 at the beginning of the story, and instead of giving him a bike as he asked for, Newt's dad gives him an old taco truck that he can only drive around the island. All of this piled together causes Newt to want to leave the island, although his affection for it is more clear to the reader than it is to Newt himself. He wants to go to middle school on the mainland where more kids will look like him, he can be near his cousins and grandma, and everyone doesn't see him as the "bear attack kid." Some of the funniest moments in the story center around the taco truck and Newt's attempts to learn to drive it. Newt's best friend Ethan also provides plenty of humor as well as sympathy. Ethan just wants to help his friend return to his old self and is hurt that Newt wants to leave the island so badly. Izzy, the mysterious girl Newt meets at the beach, and Carlos, Newt's older brother, both serve as confidants to Newt as he struggles with himself, his parents, and where he fits. At the center of the story is a wooden bear that has washed up on the beach. Is it magic, like Ethan believes? What does Newt believe, and what will he do about that?
I love the Spanish words that are blended so effortlessly into the text. I liked Newt and definitely empathized with him, but I liked the secondary characters even more. Newt doesn't always appreciate his home and community, which is very realistic and relatable for kids this age. I laughed and cried, which is a big plus for me, and I thought the ending was appropriately satisfying. I would recommend this book for 4th grade and up, the sweet spot probably 6th grade.
I love the Spanish words that are blended so effortlessly into the text. I liked Newt and definitely empathized with him, but I liked the secondary characters even more. Newt doesn't always appreciate his home and community, which is very realistic and relatable for kids this age. I laughed and cried, which is a big plus for me, and I thought the ending was appropriately satisfying. I would recommend this book for 4th grade and up, the sweet spot probably 6th grade.
April 18, 2020
Thirteen-year-old Newt Gomez is tired of being known as the boy who survived a bear attack and dreams of leaving his home on Murphy Island for the mainland. When he finds an odd bear statue carved from wood, his friend Ethan convinces him that it can grant wishes. At first, Newt scoffs at his friend's belief, but as many of the wishes of the town's residents are granted, he becomes less cynical. Many fifth and sixth grade readers will be able to relate to Newt's desire to chart new courses while also not wanting to leave all that is familiar behind. As he searches for happiness and makes a new friend, Izzy, along the beach, Newt dares to conquer some of his fears and accept himself and those around him. The plot is quiet and understated as Newt takes one step forward and two steps backward at times and stumbles forward in his healing process. While I liked the references to tardigrades and Newt himself, I had to wonder why his parents didn't insist on more therapy and why there was so much secrecy and mystery about his mother's behavior. There were times when I was reading and I felt a bit lost as though something important was missing or I was missing something important. I have to say that Newt's island seems to be a very interesting place where magic just might be able to exist along with the mundane.
September 28, 2023
It was slow. It was quiet. It was weird.
And honestly, I liked it.
Grief isn't simple. The friendships are believable and real. Newt's sister Leti was fantastic, as was their older sibling/younger sibling dynamic. The sort of surreal, slightly supernatural elements worked for me. As with some other reviewers, my main complaint is Newt's mom--her behavior seems to be set up as a mystery and then there's no real fanfare. "My mom has kind of a cool inner life, she's wrestling with grief in her own way, and she sometimes keeps secrets" is a great idea to try to explore, but Newt's dad's behavior makes it seem like there's something way more sinister going on. So when there isn't . . . it doesn't make much sense in hindsight. And she doesn't really apologize for her emotional distance even though Newt's been struggling.
I DID really appreciate that Newt's internal conflict (stay on the island vs. move to the mainland for school) is presented as complex, with reasonable feelings on both sides, instead of one answer being obviously Right.
And honestly, I liked it.
Grief isn't simple. The friendships are believable and real. Newt's sister Leti was fantastic, as was their older sibling/younger sibling dynamic. The sort of surreal, slightly supernatural elements worked for me. As with some other reviewers, my main complaint is Newt's mom--her behavior seems to be set up as a mystery and then there's no real fanfare. "My mom has kind of a cool inner life, she's wrestling with grief in her own way, and she sometimes keeps secrets" is a great idea to try to explore, but Newt's dad's behavior makes it seem like there's something way more sinister going on. So when there isn't . . . it doesn't make much sense in hindsight. And she doesn't really apologize for her emotional distance even though Newt's been struggling.
I DID really appreciate that Newt's internal conflict (stay on the island vs. move to the mainland for school) is presented as complex, with reasonable feelings on both sides, instead of one answer being obviously Right.
May 25, 2020
Everyone on the island knows Newt Gomez--he's the boy who survived a bear attack, and has the damaged leg to show it. Newt relives the attack in his dreams every night, and longs to leave the island to live with his abuela on the mainland, but his parents are against it. To help him get around the island, his father gives him an aging taco truck (even though he's just 13). On one excursion with his best friend, Newt finds a water-damaged bear statue on the beach, and they haul it to the truck. Ethan is convinced the bear grants wishes, and Newt wishes he believed that--he would wish to leave the island.
I had trouble getting into this, I'm afraid. I almost stopped reading a few times because I wasn't that interested, unfortunately. The story moves slowly and meanders a bit, and I was never sure where it was going. The characters were interesting and it's nice to see some diversity on the San Juans, which I think is where this is supposed to take place (but I wasn't sure while reading it, which bothered me). I really can't pinpoint why this didn't gel for me--I'm sure others will appreciate it more!
I had trouble getting into this, I'm afraid. I almost stopped reading a few times because I wasn't that interested, unfortunately. The story moves slowly and meanders a bit, and I was never sure where it was going. The characters were interesting and it's nice to see some diversity on the San Juans, which I think is where this is supposed to take place (but I wasn't sure while reading it, which bothered me). I really can't pinpoint why this didn't gel for me--I'm sure others will appreciate it more!
April 30, 2021
13yo Newton survived a vicious bear attack over a year ago, which left him with an injured leg, bad dreams and unwanted attention. When Newton and his friend Ethan find a large wooden bear statue, Ethan makes a wish, and it comes true! Newton thinks it's a coincidence, and even though he has a wish - a big one - he doesn't believe the answer is as simple as wishing on a statue.
I wasn't sure if there was real magic in this story or not, certainly there were magicians, and a belief by a lot of people that magical things happen, but whether or not the bear really could grant wishes felt ambiguous. Newton's family is the only Latinx family on the island, so I liked the bit of culture and the sprinkling of Spanish. Some elements were strange, like the birthday gift Newt gets when he wanted a bike - an old Taco Truck that hardly anyone minds that a 13yo is driving around. A bit weird, but not too, I think middle school readers will appreciate this story of recovery, of wanting to not be noticed, and of hoping your dreams come true - or in Newt's case, hoping your dreams go away.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
I wasn't sure if there was real magic in this story or not, certainly there were magicians, and a belief by a lot of people that magical things happen, but whether or not the bear really could grant wishes felt ambiguous. Newton's family is the only Latinx family on the island, so I liked the bit of culture and the sprinkling of Spanish. Some elements were strange, like the birthday gift Newt gets when he wanted a bike - an old Taco Truck that hardly anyone minds that a 13yo is driving around. A bit weird, but not too, I think middle school readers will appreciate this story of recovery, of wanting to not be noticed, and of hoping your dreams come true - or in Newt's case, hoping your dreams go away.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
May 1, 2020
Newt Gomez and his family live on Murphy Island it used to be a resort casino but now it is very unique with artists, exotic birds, and rumored sightings of Marvelo (lake monster). Newt's school is made up of old casino buildings, lunch is served in the old pool! Newt was attacked by a bear and the scars seem to be what people notice about him. He wants to move forward but bears seem to be a part of his life. Ethan, Newt's best friend, and Newt find a huge bear made from a tree along the shore of the lake after a storm. Ethan believes the bear is holding a wishbone and is sure that the bear grants wishes. Newt's father is sure he has seen Marvelo and he really wants to snap a photo in order to prove what he thinks he has seen. Will the wooden bear begin to grant wishes for those who believe on Murphy Island?
This was a delightful book and you won't soon forget Newt and his friends and family. Newt has a unique vehicle, one you just might want for yourself. Be sure to purchase this book and enjoy your reading time!
This was a delightful book and you won't soon forget Newt and his friends and family. Newt has a unique vehicle, one you just might want for yourself. Be sure to purchase this book and enjoy your reading time!
September 29, 2022
Tween Contemporary Fiction. Newt, recently turned 13, lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest. He is still struggling physically and mentally from a bear attack that occurred the previous year. He suffers continuous dreams about the attack and lacks confidence. He is convinced he will get better, if he goes to school next year @ Lincoln Bay on the mainland near most of his Mexican American relatives. He has to convince his parents, who don’t feel he is ready for such a permanent move away from the island. He dreads telling his best friend, Ethan, that he wants to leave the island. He makes a new friend, Izzy, who is supposedly visiting the island with her mom. There’s also a magical wooden bear, lake serpent named Marvelo, and a clunky old food truck with a rooster sign on it. Oh and the title actually refers to something that is real but hard to see. You just have to read it to find out.
September 13, 2020
4.5 out of 5
In this book, you follow Newt Gomez, a boy who survived a bear attack the year before and is still dealing with the trauma at age 13 and not feeling like he fits in his town, because of his heritage. You not only see how the experience effected him, but also a little bit of how it effected his family. I liked that I got to walk with Newt through his road to healing, I like that I got to read about his family's Mexican culture( I love reading about food😍😋), also, I liked all the bears. I really liked Huxley.😊 I related to Newt's disappointment and frustration and need for a quick fix throughout the book; my heart ached for him a lot.
This book was dreamlike, but it was still very much set in reality. The pace was definitely slower than the books I normally read. It read like life(your day-to-day).
Warning tape: one mention of beer
In this book, you follow Newt Gomez, a boy who survived a bear attack the year before and is still dealing with the trauma at age 13 and not feeling like he fits in his town, because of his heritage. You not only see how the experience effected him, but also a little bit of how it effected his family. I liked that I got to walk with Newt through his road to healing, I like that I got to read about his family's Mexican culture( I love reading about food😍😋), also, I liked all the bears. I really liked Huxley.😊 I related to Newt's disappointment and frustration and need for a quick fix throughout the book; my heart ached for him a lot.
This book was dreamlike, but it was still very much set in reality. The pace was definitely slower than the books I normally read. It read like life(your day-to-day).
Warning tape: one mention of beer
April 29, 2022
Newt Gomez survived a bear attack last year, and is no longer sure that he feels at home on the artsy PNW island community where he lives. Should he move to the mainland and live with his grandmother and the rest of his father's family? If a Loch Ness-type monster really lives in the lake on the island, should they claim the prize? Does the carved bear they found washed up on the beach really grant wishes, or is it merely wishful thinking? Is the girl he encounters around just a figment of his imagination? Will he ever get over the scary, attack-bear filled dreams that plague his nights? Not a lot of high drama happens, but the island filled with oddball characters is a character itself, and the maybe magical things that do happen keep you wondering the whole time if it will ever fall into the purely "realistic" or purely "fantasy" realm.
July 22, 2021
Newt, a Latinx, is growing up on Murphy Island. A year ago he survived a bear attack and has a still healing injury. Instead of the bike he wanted for his birthday his dad gets him a taco truck to drive. He is only 13 but he can get away with it on the island. His dream is to leave the island and live with his abuela on the mainland. He has a best friend Ethan on the island and meets a new friend Izzy. Izzy and he discover a wooden bear with a wishbone on the beach and put it in the back of the taco truck. His friend makes a wish that comes true and then 3 others wishes come true. Newt wants to wish to leave the island but something holds him back. Newt learns the importance of family and stays put.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2020
Newt Gomez, age thirteen, lives on Murphy Island where he was attacked by a bear and still has physical reminders and often relives the traumatic event in his dreams.
He wants to leave the island and live with his abuela on the mainland, but his dad buys him a taco truck to get around more easily. While driving the truck, Newt finds a carved bear statue and his friend believes the bear (named Huxley) will grant wishes, but Newt isn't convinced even when some people in the community have had their wishes come true. Will Newt ever have his real dreams and wishes realized?
The setting was so interesting--part real and part magical realism.
He wants to leave the island and live with his abuela on the mainland, but his dad buys him a taco truck to get around more easily. While driving the truck, Newt finds a carved bear statue and his friend believes the bear (named Huxley) will grant wishes, but Newt isn't convinced even when some people in the community have had their wishes come true. Will Newt ever have his real dreams and wishes realized?
The setting was so interesting--part real and part magical realism.
April 16, 2021
I absolutely loved this book, and I hope it gets the attention I think it deserves. I could live forever in the world that Kim Baker has created with Murphy Island and the people who live there. Each character is fully realized in a way that is never predictable, as is the locale itself. It's rare to find a book that is fun and compelling yet still kind, but somehow The Water Bears manages to find that sweet spot. Also, as an adult who reads a lot of kids' fiction, I was delighted that I couldn't figure out the plot before it unwound. Totally loved this one!
September 12, 2020
Newt is having bad dreams a year after he was attacked by a bear. His leg is scared and slows him down. He wants to leave his island home with its reminders of the trauma, but that means leaving his bear friend, his little sister and his mom and dad. His dad wins an old dios truck and gifts it to Newt even though he is only 13 years old. He really just wanted a new bike. He and Ethan find a carved bear who may grant wishes. This is just the kind of quirky I love.
July 12, 2020
I enjoyed this story about a boy recovering from, and making his way past, a tragic a bear attack. There were so many plot lines to follow that it became kind of distracting and diluted the powerful recovery theme. My favorite quote: “Sometimes sadness comes out of someone like breath, even though they don’t talk. Especially when they don’t talk at all.”
August 29, 2020
My Recommendation
Actually, this book would make a wonderful summer read for middle grade school kids!. I thought the premise was pretty neat. The characters were well developed and I think it's terrific to feature a Hispanic boy as a central character. It's a solidly good story I think kids will enjoy and maybe learn from.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
Actually, this book would make a wonderful summer read for middle grade school kids!. I thought the premise was pretty neat. The characters were well developed and I think it's terrific to feature a Hispanic boy as a central character. It's a solidly good story I think kids will enjoy and maybe learn from.
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.
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