Beardance [Hardcover]

Will Hobbs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 1993

The sequel to Bearstone tells a story of survival, both physical and spiritual. Cloyd Atcitty, who has named himself Lone Bear in the manner of his Ute heritage, and his guardian Walter travel into the mountains where Walter dreams of finding a legendary treasure and Cloyd hopes to see another grizzly.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-In the sequel to Hobbs's Bearstone (Atheneum, 1989), Cloyd Atcitty returns to the high country with his rancher friend Walter. But whereas the elderly man is searching for a lost cache of Spanish gold, Cloyd is hoping to find a family of grizzly bears that has been sighted. The previous novel ended with Cloyd believing that he had failed to save what could have been the last of the Colorado grizzlies, and he clings to the belief that its mate and cubs may be alive. Eventually, his search for the bears and his commitment to their survival becomes a journey of self-discovery. This novel works as an effective adventure story, an exploration of the Ute Indian culture, and a natural-history lesson rolled into one, all set in the rarefied atmosphere of the Continental Divide. As compelling as the first book, Beardance should prove to be equally popular.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-12. While prospecting for gold, Cloyd Atcity meets the woman Ursa, who is searching for the last grizzlies in Colorado. With Cloyd's help, she finds them--a mother bear and three cubs. When the mother and one cub are killed in an accident, Cloyd remains behind to ensure the survival of the remaining two cubs through the winter. A member of the Ute Indian nation, he has always felt an affinity to the bear, especially since experiencing the traditional bear dance the year before. Cloyd's decision to stay in the isolated mountain area is a dangerous one, and he and the cubs face natural disasters as well as those engineered by humans. This combination of spiritual quest and adventure story has a likable main character and, after the discovery of the cubs, an escalating plot that should make it an easy booktalk. It is also a book that will appeal across gender lines. Janice Del Negro

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; F edition (September 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689318677
• ISBN-13: 978-0689318672
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,687,331 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WILL HOBBS is the author of eighteen exciting outdoor adventure novels for upper elementary, middle school and young adult readers, as well as two picture book stories. Seven of his novels have been named Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association, and Ghost Canoe, Will's first mystery, won the Edgar Allan Poe national award for Best Young Adult Mystery. The ALA's list of the "100 Best Young Adult Books of the 20th Century" includes two of Will's titles: Far North and Downriver.

A graduate of Stanford University and a former reading and language arts teacher, Will lives with his wife, Jean, in Durango, Colorado. Visit Will's website at www.willhobbsauthor.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book is well worth reading any time or any age., June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beardance (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

Beardance is a book you just don't put it down until you finish it. On a scale from 1-5, I would rate this book a four and a half because, it teaches children and adults about things that if you put your mind to something and you have enough determination, you can get anything done. Cloyd goes back to the mountains with the old man to find more grizzly bears in Colorado. He finds two little cuds and the Fish and Wildlife Department take them away. It wasn't easy for Cloyd to try to save them. I admire him for trying to save his little friends. I was reading this book for language arts class and I encourage any student or adult to read Will Hobb's works because they are very interesting and exciting. I recomended this book to anyone who likes grizzly bears or the mountains.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for lovers of the outdoors., October 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beardance (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

Will Hobbs has an amazing way of taking the reader inside the book and planting him in the middle of the mountains along with Cloyd. I thought Bearstone was excellent; but it doesn't compare to this one. To think of a young boy devoting his life to keeping the bear cubs alive is awesome. My students loved Far North and will probably love this one even more. I highly recommend all of Hobb's books to my reading students. So far, none of the books have failed to be an instant hit. This one will be the next. I can't wait to read any new ones he writes; he just doesn't write fast enough.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, January 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beardance (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

I read this book because I enjoyed another book by the same author(Far North) and I was curious about his other books. I found Beardance to be even better. Even though I haven't read Bearstone, I now want to because of the excellence of this one. Will Hobbs' books are always realistic, enjoyable, and easy to picture. I am looking forward to reading Bearstone now.