Finding Bear is the powerful sequel to Hannah Gold’s beautiful story of hope, The Last Bear. April and her Dad are back at home in the UK – but is it home? Nothing feels right. Teased at school for her passion for polar bears and trying to slow human impact on the Arctic, April just doesn’t fit in. To make things even more challenging, Dad has a girlfriend. April’s pleased he’s feeling happy again but this might be a step too far. April dreams of Bear and misses him so much. Then, one night, she’s sure she hears his roar carried across the stars to her bedroom thousands of miles away. News arrives from the north – a polar bear has been shot… and they think it might be Bear.

April knows in an instant that she must go back – go home. Bear needs her. Fortunately, Dad understands and respects everything she went through on Bear Island so is willing to take her on this quest – this calling – to help the one who means so much to her. Winter in the Arctic is like nothing April has ever experienced. Without time to prepare, they don’t have the proper gear and it is COLD. She won’t let this stop her. Soon, they are kitted out and on their way.

What follows is the adventure of a lifetime. With every step, April’s senses sharpen and she becomes even more determined, despite the danger ahead. Her greatest worry – will Bear remember her? He is a wild animal after all.

Hannah Gold has the wonderful gift of writing with such warmth. Even in the coldest setting, Finding Bear wraps itself around the reader like a giant polar bear hug. When reading, the story becomes everything. Each frozen step, each glimmer of the Northern Lights, each heartbeat of hope brings April and the reader deeper into communion with nature with a growing realisation of how much responsibility we have to protect it. This isn’t just a lovely story, but a challenge to make a difference before the ice melts.

I have not read the first book about Bear by Hannah Gold, so I was slightly apprehensive about beginning with the sequel. And it did take me a couple of chapters to really become immersed in the story. But Finding Bear is an absolutely beautiful story.

Seventeen months after leaving the Arctic - after she had established a profound bond with the trapped polar bear she found wasting away - April is having difficulty settling into "normal" life, as she is bullied at school, and is unable to understand why people don't care about the climate crisis and the plight of the polar bears. She lives in an almost constant state of yearning to return to the Arctic circle and her beloved Bear.

When her friend Tor writes from Svalbard to tell her that a polar bear was shot near the harbour, April is convinced that the incident involved Bear. Determined to find him and ensure that he is alright, she persuades her father to take her back to the Arctic circle, where the three of them embark on an quest to find Bear.

But the frozen environment of the tundra in winter is unbelievably hostile to human travel, and despite hiring the most highly skilled (and reluctant!) guide in Longyearbyen, things go badly awry with their Husky-powered expedition.

The story is well-told and accompanied by lovely illustrations. The harsh, beautiful environment of the Arctic circle is brought to life in an unforgettable way, and issues such as climate change and the loss of habitat are conveyed in a manner that will be easily absorbed by children.

April's fear for Bear, her passion for conservation and her anger over the human destructiveness unleashed on our planet are very relatable. This is a highly-recommended read, and not only for children.

I adored The Last Bear and didn’t think this book would match or top it. I was wrong. Another fantastic read by Hannah Gold, following the adventures of April and Bear and introducing baby cub. This book is brilliant at highlighting the problem of climate change, especially the awful impact on the animals in the Arctic.

April is enjoying more time with her Dad who has given up his previous work and they’ve moved closer to April’s Grandma. This meant a new school for April but she struggled to make friends as the other children don’t seem interested in saving the planet and call her Bear Girl. The new school also brought Dad into contact with a new woman in his life who also happens to be April’s Headteacher.
One night, after a vivid dream in which Bear was calling for help, April receives an email from Tor - who is still helping his Dad on the boats - who reports that a bear has been shot and injured in Svalbard. April is convinced it is her bear.
She persuades Dad they have to visit so they fly out even though they are under-prepared. They are recommended a local guide who knows the area and who can take them on an expedition, ostensibly to see the northern lights, but really to get closer to Bear.
So April, her Dad, Tor and Hedda, the guide, set off spending their first night in a trappers’ cabin and are disturbed by a bear’s roar, but disappointingly for April not Bear.
The following day a storm descends from nowhere and Hedda insists they turn back. But the two sleds are separated and worse still April and Tor drift apart because of the storm, with April with no emergency pack nor flare.
But then Bear arrives.
There follows a dangerous adventure in unforgiving territory in which it becomes obvious why Bear needed April.
This may be fiction, but the plight of starving polar bears is real, all the fault of humanity’s exploitation of the natural world. April acknowledges she may be only one insignificant person but change has to start somewhere and each one if us can make a difference.

Although April has been home from Bear Island for some months, she is finding settling back into her old life difficult. With a house move came a new school and she is finding it a struggle to make friends with class mates who don't understand her passion for saving the polar bears. She spends her time waiting for emails from Tör but, when she receives one that says a bear has been shot in Svalbard and it may be her friend, Bear, she is distraught and uses all her powers of persuasion on her father who finally agrees to take her back. She quickly realises that winter in the Arctic is very different from the summer, which is when she and her dad were there. Temperatures are freezing and conditions more dangerous and, to add to that, her friend Lisé at the Polar Institute is away on a field trip. Luckily, their hotel owner knows somebody who would be able to take them into the wild, providing she thinks they are tourists looking to see the Northern Lights. April and her father agree but the trip doesn't quite go to plan and April must use all of her courage and face her fears if she is to find and help Bear and survive.
I'm ashamed to say that I was late to the party with The Last Bear: it was a book that I needed to read but others just seemed to get in the way (sorry Hannah). Twitter friends kept telling me I should read it and so, I finally bought a copy and, oh, I fell in love with it! It was so captivating and completely stole my heart. Needless to say, I was kicking myself for not having read it earlier! So, when I discovered that the sequel, Finding Bear, was available for early reading (thank-you NetGalley!), I jumped at the chance to read it - I most defintiley wasn't going to make the same mistake twice!). So on Saturday morning, before the coronation, I began reading. And oh, I wasn't disappointed (apologies to the King whose coronation very quickly became a background event!).

April is clearly struggling to get used to being back in England and is finding the change difficult (a new home, new school and a new girlfriend for her dad). She spends every moment she can thinking of Bear and the emails from Tör are a life-line for her. So when she hears about the shooting, she knows she has no choice but to go back: her friend needs her. I think she thought returning would be just like her last trip, and she gets a shock when things are different: she isn't on Bear Island for a start and it's winter which makes conditions much more dangerous. It is evident that she is an incredibly driven person but this leads to problems, not least of which is a lack of the correct equipment. I don't want to give anything away, but April finds herself in a situation that would terrify even the hardiest adult and it's her stubbornness and her unconditional love for Bear that drive her on.

As the plot unfolded, I found myself on the edge of my seat, willing April on and hoping she would find Bear. The book is brilliantly written and the tension unfolds in a different way to that of an adventure book (I hope that makes sense): it's the anticipation and the vivid descriptions of the landscape and the conditions that build the suspense, and you are driven to keep reading in the hope that Bear will appear on the next page, or the next ... I simply couldn't put the book down.

I am very much someone who craves sunshine and warmth so the idea of heading to the Arctic is not my idea of fun; however, seeing the Northern Lights is on my bucket list so reading descriptions of this felt spectacular and, despite the conditions, I wanted to be alongside April through every step of her journey. Hannah's writing, made sure I was there though every twist and turn.

The Last Bear stole a little bit of my heart, and Finding Bear is now nuzzled alongside it, claiming a bit more: it's the perfect sequel. It's a beautifully told story of one girl's undying love for her friend and her absolute determination to help him. Publishing on the 28th September, I cannot wait to see Levi Penfold's illustrations and am pre-ordering my copy today.

After the emotional roller coasters of Last Bear and Lost Whale I was really excited to read this new book from Gold and it didn't disappoint in the slightest, From April's struggles to fit in back in the UK after her adventures with Bear, through to her struggles with her Dad's new girlfriend and her absolute determination to help Bear when he calls she is a complete character who leaps off the page.

As an adult reading this I was reassured that it was going to end well but never the less the moments of tension and adventure still packed a hefty punch and and were believable.

No tears as I read this one but a book that has left me with a warm glow and an even stronger desire to do more to help slow global warming

Review by my 10 year-old daughter:
This is my third book by Hannah Gold and they just get better and better. I was so glad when mam told me I could read the sequel of The Last Bear before it’s out in the shops in September. I am also looking forward to seeing her in Dublin later this month at the @ilfdublin on May 20th so this came at the perfect time.

Finding Bear picks up when April hears about a bear who was shot in Svalbard and she convinces her dad to go there. As you can imagine, there’s lots of adventure ahead and I love the way April cares about the planet and all the animals. I always feel sad about people littering and how bad global warming is affecting the planet.

I cannot wait to re-read the finished version with all the illustrations which were not there in the proof copy.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for sending us an arc in return for our honest review. Best of luck to @hannahgold_author with her new book.
Out September 28th!

I'm beyond thrilled that April and Bear are back with another frost-biting, teary eyed survival tale! April's bear-sized love leaps through every page with great care and courage. The story is bound to seep through the reader and sweep them straight into the unbearable, cold Svalbard where April and Bear reunite only to change the course of their lives again.

Pinfold's stunning cover illustration not only captures the pensive state of search and survival, but also gives the readers a glimpse of what it means to triumph together. A definitive must-read!

I adored this book. I loved The Last Bear and I have been SO excited for the sequel. This did not disappoint in the slightest and honestly was even better than I thought it would be. April has been living with her Dad when she finds out that her beloved Bear might have been shot. She persuades her Dad to travel back to the Arctic with her so that they can check that he is ok. She eventually discovers that he has a young cub and needs April's help to care for him. Can April help them both in time?
An absolutely heartwarming and heartbreaking story about the relationships humans forge with animals and the destruction of climate change. I feel like the concept of being 'too little' to do what you feel is right will be very relatable to many children.
Honestly, a great, great read and I thought it ended beautifully. I'm so excited to see the accompanying illustrations!

Finding Bear is the perfect sequel to a wonderful story. Prepare yourself to follow April Wood back to Longyearbyen, as she receives an unexpected call from an old friend. Finding Bear is a fantastic story full of adventure and excitement. April heads back to the Arctic and, in true April fashion, gets herself into all sorts of pickles as she follows her heart rather than her head.

I absolutely loved Finding Bear and couldn't put it down, which comes as no surprise given how good The Last Bear was!

Finding Bear by Hannah Gold
Following on from the wonderful The Last Bear, Hannah Gold’s Finding Bear explores many themes in a beautifully developed story. April feels a desperate need to return to Svalbard, high in the frozen Arctic, compelled to find Bear – the polar bear with whom she developed an unforgettable friendship in The Last Bear.
Her journey to discover the fate of Bear is fraught with danger, adventure and compassion. A need to help Bear, but also one of realisation that the impact mankind is having on all environments, not least the fragile Arctic environment, spells imminent danger to the animals inhabiting such a beautiful and unique place.
Hannah Gold’s writing showcases the best skills of the children’s writer. She manages to communicate a story that is multi-layered, with themes of environment and climate change, family relationships, friendships, alienation and difference, the plight of species and a breath-taking landscape that for many is utterly different to their own. Added to which is a narrative that is full of action and adventure, risk, bravery and the unexpected.
As with The Last Bear, Hannah Gold’s Finding Bear will appeal to young, inquisitive, caring and adventurous minds. A must for children and it will definitely find a place on many classroom bookshelves. But to read Finding Bear as an adult, makes you think of the damage we have wreaked upon our climate and the responsibility we all share to provide a better environment, a healthier planet for the next generation of Aprils and Bears alike. We owe it to them, as Finding Bear so beautifully illustrates.

After reading The Last Bear I knew I would love this one. Once again the author pulls at the heart strings. There is one scene in which I had to fight back tears. Heartbreaking and heart-warming too. The world needs more people like April.

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold was a wonderful book telling the story of April Wood rescuing a trapped and starving polar bear - despite numerous obstacles. April is back in this sequel and is even more headstrong and determined to fight for the plight of polar battles and battle against climate change. News reaches April and her father that a polar bear has been shot near the town of Svalbard. April is convinced it’s “ Bear” and with her father return to Norway with the aim of helping Bear. April’s determination to find Bear is palpable and at times she probably crosses the line of disregarding advice but her courage and commitment to save Bear takes her on a series of adventures - each showing the impact on global warming on the plight of polar bears. April is reunited with characters from the previous book. This is a rip- roaring tale ( no pun intended as Bear certainly roars a lot) and will be an exciting read for the 8 plus group. Plenty of nail- biting moments - a great sequel .

A warm hug. A comfy pair of slippers. A hot bath after a long day.

That’s what it felt like rejoining April and Bear on their latest adventure - a reunion with old friends. I absolutely love Hannah Gold’s writing and I was so relieved to find that Finding Bear still contains the heart and warmth of her earlier books. This book is a rallying cry in terms of environmental messaging - it’s unapologetic in delivering hard truths, but in an age-appropriate manner. I have no doubt that I would have adored this book as a child and would have been moved to action by the messages it delivers.

Gold paints a breathtaking picture of the Arctic as a backdrop to this story - she is a true artist with her words. I also loved the messages about staying true to yourself and it being okay to be different. Superb!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC - I cannot wait to add this book to my classroom bookshelf. It’s perfect for pupils in Year 4 and above.

Just finished reading an advance copy of Finding Bear, wow you did it again Hannah Gold! Such an amazing story, makes me yearn to visit the frozen north & help our Polar Bears myself.

This book was amazing and I'm so glad this story got told. More messages about climate change and the damage humans are doing. The message has been interwoven throughout the text in a simple way for children to understand and talk about, but also in a way that hits home to adults. I adore the relationship between April and Bear and how brave she is. We all have that one friend that we'd do anything for, and April needs to help hers so she does. She makes you realise that you can do anything with determination (and some warm clothes!). I cried and I cringed, I worried and I wooped. Such a rollercoaster of emotions but so so so worth it.

Awwww Hannah how you can bring a grown woman to tears!!! 😭 Such a gorgeous follow up to the last bear which was a favourite of mine. I was scared to start reading in case it didn’t live up to its predecessor but wow it was just perfect! And that ending …….. I really hope there will be more in the future about April, Bear and of course peanut. Can’t wait to see the finished product and look at all the accompanying pictures. Well done and of course five star rating. 🐻‍❄️ 🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️

What an exciting, heart-stopping sequel to The Last Bear. Hannah Gold has not let us down with her return to visit April, Bear and of course to meet Peanut. April could never have just gone back to her old, unfulfilled life after her adventures on Bear Island, she was meant to make a difference and by golly, in this beautiful story, she does just that. She is such an inspiration to all the younger people in this world today; her determination to follow her instincts gets her in to trouble more than once but with the support of her beloved Bear, who needs her help, she overcomes all the odds and not only achieves the impossible but educates people on the way. The new characters in the book bring many emotions to challenge April but they all are so right for the story. It has made me want to visit Longyearbyen on Svalbard myself and see the world which April loves and cares for so much, see the raw beauty of the Arctic and just breathe the air.
Hannah Gold has shown us, once again, that not only is she a talented author but deeply cares about the world we live in. Levi Pinfold has excelled again with the cover illustration and I can't wait to see how he portrays the old and new characters inside the book. An absolute triumph!