Sophie Anderson

The Girl Who Speaks Bear

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

Hooray for another spell-binding fantasy starring a strong girl, found family, fairy tales, Eastern European folklore, and a wonderfully charismatic and caring House with Chicken Legs from Sophie Anderson! I can't wait to see what she publishes next, a winner and a great read aloud choice.

Imie Kent-Muller

Another 5 Star read for the holiday, but I wasn’t expecting less from Sophie Anderson! Thank you usborne books for sending it! I’m in love with this proof cover which is apparently one of a few you can get? Exciting stuff!

The Girl Who Speaks Bear is a multitude of folktales wrapped in a story that focuses in on a girl, Yanka, who finds herself with bear legs. She was found as a baby near a cave with a giant bear in it, so she sets on a quest to find out her past in hope of finding out who she truly is.

This gorgeous lyrical tale is one about courage, finding your family (whether by blood or friendship), and finding out who you are. A lot of the tales are Russian folklore inspired and create a gorgeous chilling setting for the story. She is helped along the way by a cast of amazing characters - Mousetrap being my favourite. This is a beautiful 9-12/middle grade read that both kids and adults will love. It is a bit like The Jungle Book meets Russian Folklore and I am in love with it.

Kirsty

I really enjoyed this book! It was cute, full of lessons, it was a really complex storyline that I wasn't expecting in a middle grade book and it actually shocked me in parts. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was being a started to get a little bored in certain parts - but that might just be a me-problem.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 CARNEGIE MEDAL "Written with passion and compassion, Anderson's talent as a weaver of magic and creator of evocative landscapes is growing with every book." - The Daily Mail "Enchanting story." - The Daily Telegraph They call me Yanka the Bear. Not because of where I was found - only a few people know about that. They call me Yanka the Bear because I am so big and strong. Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered about where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. But, when she has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond one that she ever imagined begins: from icy rivers to smouldering mountains meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way. Interwoven with traditional stories of bears, princesses and dragons, Yanka's journey is a gorgeously lyrical adventure from the best-selling author of The House With Chicken Legs.

The Girl who Speaks Bear

Elena Garcia Navarro

Couldn't get into this story, I kept picking up the book and putting it down after a few pages. I didn't specially like the main protagonist and the little tales scattered throughout the book kept putting me out the main story-line. The part that I enjoyed the most was how the book was connected to the previous novel and we got another glimpse into the Yaga world.

I think it's a case of "It's me, not the book", the story just didn't resonate with me at all but I can see how other people will really enjoy it. I'll definitely check future novels by Sophie Anderson 'cause I completely adored The House with Chicken Legs, such a pity I didn't enjoy this one as much.

Jelke Lenaerts

I picked this up on a whim. I had heard some things about this book before but not a lot so I took a chance on it when I saw it in the bookstore and now I'm very glad I did. This was a wonderful story. I really liked the characters in this book and the fantasy elements were also great. I loved the inclusion of stories and how that expanded on the world but also was used to make connections between the characters. This was a pretty quick read and a fun adventure to go on with a heartwarming ending. Maybe not the perfect read for me but I do think it's perfect for the audience it was intended for and very approachable for an older audience as well.

Nickie Mohler

This is such a magical tale! I'm so glad I decided to participate in Believathon and read some middle grades.I don't care what age you are, this is a beautiful story filled with magic and folklore.
I loved it!!

Mousumee

Manon van Heumen

Lydia C

Ana V. 

sesa

Nessa Luna

Isobel 

Nicole Salcedo

Tamara Turner

Seren Johnston

Maria Frisk

The newest heart-expanding, magical adventure from Sophie Anderson, author of the critically acclaimed House with Chicken Legs.

The Girl Who Speaks Bear

Reviews