Pearly Everlasting by Tammy Armstrong

Some bonds are forged by blood and some by circumstance but the bond between these siblings is one that is unbreakable. Pearly and her family live deep in the Canadian woods near a logging camp where her dad works as a cook. The night that Pearly is born her dad comes home with an orphaned bear cub and to everyone's surprise Pearly's mom accepts it as her own child nursing and raising them both as siblings. Pearly and Bruno become inseparable but when tragedy strikes that acceptance at the camp is tested and they run. The journey is long and nothing short of miraculous until Bruno is injured and they are forced to take refuge in a small town. Pearly's courage and unshakable devotion to Bruno speaks to the townspeople who lend their support. There is also someone else searching to bring them home. This story takes place during the Depression where people with so little have so much taken from them and they still manage to help. A tale based in truth this coming of age story of a girl and her brother the bear will restore your faith in humanity. The language is spot on and the author paints the wonder of the north woods beautifully. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction of pioneers, adventure seekers at odds with the land or strong bonds between human and animal will fall hard for this. 4 1/2 stars