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The Girl Who Speaks Bear Paperback – February 1, 2022

by Sophie Anderson (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,310 ratings
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* "Marvelously charmed and charming." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"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."

Discovered in a bear cave as a baby, 12-year-old Yanka dreams of knowing who she really is. Although Yanka is happy at home with her loving foster mother, she feels out of place in the village where the other children mock her for her unusual size and strength.

So when Yanka wakes up one morning to find her legs have become bear legs, she knows she has no choice but to leave her village. She has to find somewhere she truly belongs, so she ventures into the Snow Forest with her pet weasel, Mousetrap, in search of the truth about her past.

But deep in the forest there are many dangers and Yanka discovers that even the most fantastic stories she grew up hearing are true. And just as she draws close to discovering who she really is, something terrifying happens that could trap her in the forest . . . forever.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 7
  5. Lexile measure
    800L
  6. Dimensions
    5.2 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
  7. Publisher
    Scholastic Press
  8. Publication date
    February 1, 2022
  9. ISBN-10
    1338580841
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1338580846
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for The Girl Who Speaks Bear:* "Marvelously charmed and charming." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "A gem of a fairy tale, Anderson's sophomore effort offers a dynamic, memorable cast with rich personalities amid lasting messages about belonging, graceful acceptance of aid, and the power of stories." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review* "Readers...will revel in this new fairy tale that borrows from the old to make something new." -- Booklist, starred reviewPraise for The House with Chicken Legs:#3 Nielsen Bookscan UK Children's and YA Fiction bestsellerNominated for the Carnegie Medal 2019A Kirkus Best Book of 2018An American Booksellers Association "Indies Introduce" selectionWaterstones' Children's Book of the MonthBlackwell's Children's Book of the MonthA Guardian Book of the MonthThe Bookseller Children's Book of the MonthThe Sunday Times Book of the Week* "A thoughtfully crafted, macabre masterpiece for middle grade readers, this debut novel also has the read-aloud appeal of a beloved folk or fairy tale." -- School Library Journal, starred review* "Heartbreaking, uplifting, and absolutely beautiful." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review"Utterly magical and highly original." -- The Bookseller

About the Author

Sophie Anderson lives in England’s Lake District with her husband, four children, and a Border collie. She enjoys wandering, daydreaming, and storytelling. Her bestselling novels have won the Independent Bookshop Book of the Year Award, and been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal twice. Visit her online at sophieandersonauthor.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scholastic Press (February 1, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1338580841
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1338580846
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 800L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 0.7 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,310 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Sophie Anderson

Sophie Anderson

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Sophie Anderson was born in Swansea, and now lives in the Lake District with her family. Her writing is most often inspired by folk and fairy stories, especially the Slavic tales her Prussian grandmother told her when she was young.

Across her bestselling novels, Sophie has won the Independent Bookshop Book of the Year Award and the Wales Book of the Year Award, and been shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal twice, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Blue Peter Book Award, the British Book Awards’ Children’s Fiction Book of the Year, the Andersen Prize, and the Branford Boase Award.

Sophie’s books have been translated into over twenty languages, and The House with Chicken Legs is being adapted for stage by Les Enfants Terribles.

You can visit Sophie at her website: sophieandersonauthor.com and on twitter @sophieinspace

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
2,310 global ratings
A Quest Tale that will grab your imagination.
5 Stars
A Quest Tale that will grab your imagination.
Today's youth will be celebrating Sophie Anderson and excitedly sharing her books with friends. Yanka, the heroine who speaks Bear, is the perfect character for anyone who has ever felt out of place. Her adventures and quest for identity are gripping and her struggles with her choices are moving. Anderson carries on the wonderful tradition of folklore and gives us a memory to treasure.
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Top reviews from the United States

Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Fairy Tale for Kids and Adults
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2023
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I enjoyed this book nearly as much as The House with Chicken Legs (which I liked a bit more because I learned a bit more from it - the author clearly knows Central / Eastern European folklore very, very well).

After reading The Girl Who Speaks Bear, I purchased a second copy to give to an adult as a gift - not sure if the recipient is into YA books like I am, but I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this pleasant book. The Girl Who Speaks Bear is more universally enjoyable than The House with Chicken Legs. The latter might be too off the wall for people not at least passably familiar with the applicable Central / Eastern European folklore (but for those who are, it is absolutely wonderful).

The author starts to stumble, though, in The Castle of Tangled Magic (the book that followed The Girl Who Speaks Bear). I hope that her newest book is a return to the standards of The House with Chicken Legs and The Girl Who Speaks Bear, and not a continuation of the decline introduced by The Castle of Tangled Magic.
One person found this helpful
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Spot Ox
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2023
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Not only is this a great story, I also learned folklore from another part of the world.
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Speakingwhale
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2021
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Does anyone know how to distinguish between the illustrators of different editions for this book? I really like this edition, with the purple cover. It has a more angular, folksy-themed presentation. Another edition has more round, cartoon-like cover illustration. I'd like to get the next 2 books by this author, in this world's setting. I'd like the editions / illustrations to match up.

Really enjoyable. I like the chapter layouts very much. So many books aimed at a young audience have a male main character (even if all the characters are animals!). If the book has a female main character, then there is often a romantic subplot. This book takes us on a wonderful journey through fairy tales, with a main character than young girls can identify with, without the need for an added prince-princess feature. And the adventure is very fun.
5 people found this helpful
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AV_Therearenobadbooks
4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome fairytale
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2022
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A wonderful journey of a girl who doesn't quite belong anywhere to find her place and her people. I like that the characters tell short stories. Once upon a time...
2 people found this helpful
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Colette S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Sophie Anderson performs her magic again!
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
I loved The House With Chicken Legs so much, I couldn’t wait until 2020 for the American release of The Girl Who Speaks Bear—so I ordered it from England. While reading it, I savored every lyrical sentence and the charming folk art Illustrations by Kathrin Honesta. Needless to say, this latest book is just as wonderful as the first.

This delightful journey through Russian folklore features the story of Yanka (part girl, part bear) and her adventures in the Snow Forest. The timeless fairy tales featured within the main story all weave into Yanka’s quest to find where she belongs. I see her acceptance of herself as an allegory of our own constantly changing bodies: how we must adapt and appreciate the special gifts these transformations give us. I also love the idea of always hanging on to a thread of our own ancient and wild nature.

I couldn’t resist the tiny (but brave) weasel and his elaborate war dances (even though his fancy moves cause him to pull a few muscles on occasion). I also loved the friendly puppy-dog personality of the house with chicken legs in this story. I can’t wait for Sophie Anderson’s next book!
4 people found this helpful
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Kristi Stokes
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED IT!
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2019
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Sophie Anderson, author of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS is definitely a favorite author of mine. I really enjoy a good retelling and she doesn't disappoint in that department!

Some of my favorite things about this story:

1. There's a map at the start of the book that you can follow along as you read! It's simple, but a fun addition that any kid would love.
2. Yanka's desire to know who she is and why she is the way she is is totally relatable
3. Mousetrap is so sassy and funny. It can be tough to write an animal companion well, but Anderson succeeded with him.
4. I love that Anderson brought a yaga house into this story! It acts as a nod to her other book and will make readers want to grab that one too.
5. As a huge fan of fairy tales and their retellings, I actually recognize some of the fairy tales that are being retold in here which is fun.

All in all, totally deserving of every single one of these 5 stars and then some. I'll definitely be recommending this to others!
4 people found this helpful
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rudy abreu
5.0 out of 5 stars ENCHANTED!
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2021
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At 74 years old, I have read thousands of books and cereal boxes. Every time I pick a novel, I pray it will lift me into parts of sky that I've never visited before.
"The Girl Who Speaks Bear" took me took me on magical trip to a little corner to escape the world for a wee bit of time.
I don't care how Sophie Anderson did it; although I do suspect crystal clear writing, vividly word-illustrated images, and lovingly crafted characters (e.g. Mousetrap, Yuri, and, yes, Ivan) had much to do about something...
Thank you for bringing lightness...
18 people found this helpful
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Elle
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
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Beautifully written.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Barbara W. Fendrich
5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilhoso, zero defeitos.
Reviewed in Brazil on April 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
O melhor conto que já li. Os personagens são fantásticos, a narrativa é envolvente e só me fez lembrar a animação 'Valente', da Disney. Super recomendo e leria mais 26.587 vezes!!!
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E
3.0 out of 5 stars Novel 5*, bookbinding job 1*
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 10, 2023
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*paperback edition* The content of the book was awesome, I breezed through it over an afternoon; I wish I could say the same about the binding - the book fell apart in my hand (and I'm a very gentle reader, no laying them down upside down or any other horrors). Too bad as I definitely see myself wanting to re-read this several times.
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E
3.0 out of 5 stars Novel 5*, bookbinding job 1*
Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 10, 2023
*paperback edition* The content of the book was awesome, I breezed through it over an afternoon; I wish I could say the same about the binding - the book fell apart in my hand (and I'm a very gentle reader, no laying them down upside down or any other horrors). Too bad as I definitely see myself wanting to re-read this several times.
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Nicola Mcfarlane
5.0 out of 5 stars A story full of magic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 15, 2023
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What an amazing story... there's so many beautiful things about this book that I don't know where to start, from the return of familiar faces (if you've read other books from this author) to the many stories within the story. The characters are just so fantastical and the perfect unlikely group of friends, which adds to the charm of the world that's been created. The magical storyline and how everything is just so well thought of really brings this world to life and leaves you wanting more after the last page. I got completely lost inside this book and never wanted to put it down, this is a book I'd recommend to everyone, there's a bit of everything in it from wishes, to curses, magic, peril and more...
3 people found this helpful
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Raju Singha
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical , grounded I ancient fairy tales , feels so special ✨
Reviewed in India on February 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
Brilliant . The description of the northern Russian village on the edge of the Great snow forest with its sparkling snow and an adventurous journey of Yanka , the girl with bear legs is just so captivating. The smells of the forest in the autumn and spring and the lime tree , all of this feels magical . Sophie is an amazing storyteller and an amazing story weaver, she has woven different russian fairy tales into a magical story . And yes Kathrin Honesta's illustrations add life and spark the imagination, I , actually am so mesmerized that I began copying her style . Highly recommended, a great winter read .
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Luis Rangel
5.0 out of 5 stars Is an excellent book!
Reviewed in Mexico on September 11, 2020
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I received it in excellent condition and it arrived earlier than I expected. I am very satisfied.
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