September 15, 2021 - by Jenny

When I first read this fierce book about a boy and his bear, it grabbed at my heart in big ways. What I loved so deeply about it is that it's really about gentle MEN:  men who know how to teach and love and give with tenderness and true understanding.  It touched me so much that I cried in several places, and not, as expected, about the bear.

Walt Morey's classic Gentle Ben is about a young man, 13-year-old Mark, and his desire to own and care for a captive bear--but it's really about his relationship with his dad.  Mark doesn't feel his dad's love and respect the way his dead brother had.  But as Mark honors his promise to take full responsibility for the bear, and his dad teaches him important skills, their relationship warms. Through this process, Mark gains a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man, and how grief and loss can lead to peace and new beginnings. By the end, there's a fresh start for all--and Gentle Ben's not the only one who's gained freedom, dignity, and power.

We taught Gentle Ben to kids ages 7-12 in hands-on, memorable ways, as you can see below. With the older kids we went a little deeper, addressing issues of sustainability, Alaskan fishing history, and more. But kids of ALL ages can understand the concepts of freedom, dignity, and compassion that this book conveys so beautifully--concepts applied not only to the title character, but to human relationships, too.  So It's a book we highly recommend for kids, women, and especially men.