A guidebook for speaking out, standing up, and sparking change, Bear Boy resonates with the reader. Young people have power, and Justin’s journey shows them how to wield it.. This book makes the reader want to cheer and get to work!

For some reason, I thought this was (true story inspired) fiction, so the memoir aspect caught me a bit off guard (it’s also harder to rate because it’s not just a story, it’s someone’s life). I settled into it quickly, though, and the author’s animal activism accomplishments were impressive and a great example of how much young people can achieve and how important it is to listen to them and take their concerns seriously. In terms of Justin’s specific focus (advocating for zoo animal rights), it’s also a great illustration of how change IS possible, and in a relatively short time. I remember seeing zoos of the kind he describes in the 90s: profit-driven enterprises with appalling conditions and little concern for the animals they housed. I don’t know the extent to which that’s changed in the US since then but in many countries there’s definitely been a massive shift in the work of zoos in the past few decades, and now they do invaluable conservation work and are a massive part of advocating for wildlife (I’m a member at my local zoo and their passion and commitment to conservation work are incredible). It’s pretty inspiring, and efforts like Justin’s surely were a driving force towards that change.

In terms of the book itself, it was a quick and interesting read, though ultimately it didn’t feel as engaging as I’d hoped. The writing itself is not exactly polished, but it’s frank and passionate and the author is pretty candid about the less flattering aspects of being a privileged, single-minded teenager with a fine disregard for what he considers obstacles (I’m pretty sure any parent would lose their cool if their kid ran up hundreds of dollars in phone bills every month, and the sneering at anyone who wouldn’t embrace vegetarianism was off-putting). It was a bit scattered at times, as it veered back and forth between Justin’s animal activism and personal life, the latter dipping into serious issues like bullying and the challenges of coming out. It was all important stuff, but the book is quite short, so it invariably ended up feeling like a somewhat hurried compilation rather than an in-depth exploration. I’m also not sure what age group this is geared towards; it read like an inspirational treatise for a younger audience (including explanations of such ancient tech as Rolodex and fax machines) but does contain swearing and derogatory slurs.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Save the queers , save the bears!!
Thank you @netgalley and @justinbarkertv for that earc

True story about justin a 13 years old kid in the 90's who go to a library and take a random book "how to save animals". From there he take little changes and acts like starting to be vegan, calling zoos for their poor structures for the animals... And its working. His family changes, zoos are being more careful, people are calling and help him to do his activism. One day he get letter that two bears are being held poorly in a near zoo. He is looking at them and get one goal in mind. He will do everything to free them into better conditions, even if its to raise half million dollars, while being only a kid that not really fit in the world and where you only figuring your own stuff.

That book is for avery little kid, to show them how it is to dream and that they can accomplish everything they want. The little and big changes they can do. For the grown up who can still acts, and do more cause They put their mind into it. This book is giving hope and cheer up and say "get out of your couch and do something". Should be a book kids read at school. (Teachers you know what to do)
If you are expecting some deep bound with the bear and that they hug and touch at the end like some disney movie, sorry to disappoint, but his love for the bears are infinate, teaches him, making him braver into the world.

And yeah nothing kinky in this book.

Thank you netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.
Activism isn't easy, but this is a beautiful story about fighting for what is good and fair. It's a very good book for teenagers who care about animals, but a good read for adults too, because we should never forget that kids and teenagers have ideas and they deserve to express themselves and be heard.
Activism in 2021 and the 90's isn't necessarily the same, because society changed a bit, internet changed a lot of things, but the message stays the same : some things are worth fighting for, and we should be loud and let everyone know about unfaire situations and do our best to change them.
This is also a beautiful story about being a teenager, discovering who you are and making friends

A very inspiring story proving that every voice does in fact matter and that change is possible. Never give up on your dreams.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital arc for this book.
Bear Boy is about a passionate young boy named Justin who is on a mission to save the lives of 2 bears at a local zoo.
Justin realises that animals are treated badly and becomes a vegetarian and vows to change the conditions for them at the zoo.
He battles his parents, adults, the mayor and he also lobby’s the press.
It’s a wonderful account of his life and his coming of age. He is unsettled in school and he comes across as awkward. During his mission he ends up moving away for 6 months. It is here where the book comes alive. Justin grows up a lot and starts to realise who he is.
This book is ideal for teaching young children that they can achieve anything they set their mind too. It also teaches you respect and educates about animal rights. It would make a great addition to any school library.

Incredibly inspiring!! I finished this all in one sitting and I feel infused with a new determination to fight for the causes i believe in

OH MY GOD! This book was so great! SO SO SO great! I wolfed it down in one sitting and I am so impressed by Justin Baker - kudos! What a spirited tale, full of fight and determination!
I loved this book so much!
If people tell you that you can't change anything - don't listen to them. Justin Baker is the living proof that even as a child you can change anything if you only are persistent enough and believe in yourself. Reading his story has been incredily inspirational and I am so happy that I got to be a part of his story (yeah, I've just read it, but what's the difference? That's what a book is for.)
I've been a fan on Jane Goodall ever since I first saw her picture in a book I've been reading - and Justin Baker knows her? She wrote the foreword for his book? If I could love this anymore, that would be why.

The thing I love most about this book is that it is written for everyone. You can read as an adult. You can read it to your children or elderly people. This book's audience is and should be everybody.. It' so wonderfully done and reading it really made my day. It's full of hope and inspiration and I am glad I got to read it!

I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Brutus & Ursula LLC for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.

A true life, coming-of-age story about a boy who discovers his passion for animal rights activism and works against the odds to free two black bears from horrific living conditions in a defunct zoo.

A quick and easy read, with an engaging prose and easy to follow narrative. It felt like listening to a friend tell me a story-where I could feel the passion and their eagerness to share with me. From dealing with feelings of isolation as a young teen, to finding a passion and a cause, learning about his own identity and finding his place in the world, Justin’s story was heartwarming throughout and wrapped up with a genuinely uplifting message. This book encourages a deeper appreciation and understanding of the world around us and all those who inhabit it.

This was a beautiful and heartwarming story for both teen and older readers, I would highly recommend.

i was lucky enough to be approved this wonderful story on netgalley & i’m so glad i picked it up. this is such an inspiring memoir about a 13 year old boy who rescued two bears from his local zoo where they were living in ridiculously unacceptable conditions.
the writing was simple and easy to read which felt perfect considering the age of the POV and helped make the story flow nicely. as a vegetarian and an animal lover, i felt the rage the author was conveying and the hope and joy toward the end.
i also thoroughly enjoyed the pure hope this book brings you & the message that you can do anything you put your mind do. i reccomend this to readers of all ages but particuarly those who need to know they can achieve anything.
i also really enjoyed that the writer didn’t leave out parts of his teenage-hood including the struggle of understanding his identity and coming out to his parents, along with the talk of going to therapy, bullying and getting a better relationship with his parents.
this book truly demonstrates how important is to speak up about things you care about.
i loved this.

*Disclaimer: As this is a real-life experience, the star rating is based on the quality of the book and not the experience being written about.*

Normally you would not see me choosing to read a middle-grade book, much less non-fiction. Bear Boy reminded me that even if a book is not the genre or age range I normally gravitate to, I can still enjoy the story and characters. Justin Barker's story is inspiring and motivational, especially for young readers who may pick up this book. If you are hesitating to read because it is not what you typically read, consider picking this up because the story engages and relates to the reader as well as most other fiction books I have read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

‘Bear Boy’ is a YA memoir and coming-of-age story with a twist. It follows Justin as he navigates teenage life, a rocky relationship with his parents and his sexuality. However, his life begins to change when he discovers that animals, in particular Ursula and Brutus, sibling black bears from a nearby zoo, are being kept in horrific conditions. As he fights to free the bears and to improve the conditions for animals in zoos, Justin discovers a passion for activism and quickly learns that no one is too small to make a difference

Review:

I love books about animals, and so I was very excited when Netgalley offered me an eARC of ‘Bear Boy’. However, this book was so much more than a simple coming-of-age story with bears. It was an incredibly inspiring and moving story about a lonely teenage boy whose passion for animal activism is fuelled by the devastating living conditions of two bears.

Its simplistic yet captivating style captured my attention from the very beginning, and I found myself finishing the book in only a few hours. Barker’s raw and honest descriptions of the animal’s conditions as well as his determination throughout provoked empathy and encouraged me to try to find ways in which I could take action. You come away feeling that no one is too small to make a difference and that one can achieve anything they set their mind on.

This was a story of hope and humanity that covered many themes which I feel audiences, especially younger audiences, will relate to. Although a challenging read at times, this book was also heartfelt and hopeful. I encourage everyone to give this one a read!

I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into, since it was the title and the cover that got me into this book.

It was interesting, not at all what I was expecting, and a story that I think a lot of people could enjoy.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy*

This book is a fantastic memoir about a boy fighting for animals while navigating the struggles of growing up. Justin finds his passion for animals in a used bookstore and this book follows his actions for the next few years.
I loved seeing Justin’s passion for animals influencing the decisions that he makes. His relationship with his family is also affected by his activism, and it is interesting to see how that played out as well. Additionally, he learned how to navigate relationships in high school and how to come out to his family. Another fantastic part of this book is the foreword by Jane Goodall.
This is definitely a great non-fiction read for younger teens, whether they are interested in becoming animal activists or not.

What an inspiring story! I really enjoyed learning about Justin's journey and it felt like I was right there with him. I really admire Justin's dedication and how passionate he is about animal rights. I recommend this book to everyone, especially those who love inspiring nonfiction stories!

Thank you to Net Galley and Justin Barker for the ARC :)

I got an ARC of this book.

So I am all about saving animals. I am the first person to leap from a car to see if I can save an animal in the street. I have been late to work and lost all of my cookies bribing stray dogs into my car and getting them medical care. My boss is so used to this that she just asks me to save her a single cookie or send her pictures of my new friends. I am the type to bottle feed animals that are rejected by their mother and find them homes, even when my life is falling apart. The few times I skipped school, was to go to animal rights protests (I was caught on the news). So I understand a bit of what Barker did and felt. I focus more on the animals in front of me, Barker focuses more on animals that need bigger help. I respect and appreciate Barker.

The book was really quick. It very much read as middle grade or maybe young adult. I appreciated this. I loved that Jane Goodall was the one who wrote the introduction. Goodall is a HUGE name in the animal world and someone that would be beyond incredible to ever meet. Seeing her endorsing the book and her knowing of Barker was huge.

My main issue with the book is that Barker never renounced PETA or acted like they were anything but perfect. I was also a member of PETA at one point, well the young adult version. Peta has been called out for so many things from blaming dairy for Autism to flat out lying about what is happening. There have been allegations for years, I learned about that within a few weeks of joining PETA and immediately stopped. With all of those controversies around PETA it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that Barker did not at least mention the issues or say that he his organization is doing things differently. Something to recognize that the group is not perfect. Instead, if I was the right age range for this book I would have thought PETA was amazing and wanted to join. This feels false and makes me question Barker as an activist.

If you ignore my issues with PETA, then this was a great read. It helped show just how much difference one person can make if they aren’t afraid to run up a phone bill. He earned the nickname of Bear Boy at 14 years old. At 13 he was taking on a zoo that did not provide what the animals needed. This is exactly the sort of book I needed in middle school. He is very much a role model for supporting and helping animals. I may not agree with him on all points, but we can agree that animals deserve better.

I finished Bear Boy three hours ago. And it's been two hours since I sat in front of my computer saying I was going to write a review but I could barely write a word. This book left me speechless.
I only started reading memoirs very recently but Bear Boy is definitely one of my favorite memoirs until now and WOW Justin Barker has one of the most amazing stories I ever saw.
During Bear Boy, we see not only the trajectory of Barker's journey to save Ursula and Brutus but also his personal growth. It was a fast reading and most of the time I got really excited to know what was going to happen next and since the very beginning, I found myself questioning why I never did even half of the effort Justin did? Because, sincerely, I didn't have much things that could stop me from doing it. It was a very reflexive and enjoyable reading and I recommend it for everyone.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

What a great inspirational read! BEAR BOY is an inspirational story about one boy's love for animals and his dedication to improving the world we live in, find friends like him, and to give focus to his life.
Definitely recommend this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An inspiring account of how a thirteen-year-old kid went to rescuing two bears from his local zoo where they were living in unbearable conditions and his own internal quest of coming out and discovering himself in the process.

I was hooked on this memoir from the moment I picked it up. The writing is simple yet engaging. Barker writes from his heart and doesn't shy away from revealing the darker side of his teenage life - the bullying, his teenage angst, therapy sessions and the struggle he went through to understand his sexuality and come out. But my favourite parts were the sections where he passionately advocated for animal rights and their welfare.

Being a vegetarian and an animal lover, I was able to comprehend the feelings the writer went through as a kid. I have always been troubled with the question 'how can you eat something that you love' and even though my animal-loving, yet non-vegetarian husband comes up with a variety of scientifically backed answers, I've never been quite satisfied. However, don't worry, this book would not make you switch to vegetarianism, or maybe yes, it might, but it would also let vegetarians make their peace with everyone else's food choices.

I'd especially recommend this to teenagers who need to know that they can achieve anything that they set their eyes upon as long as they are determined.

4/5🌟.
TW: Bullying, Animal abuse and Anger issues.

A story of a young boy fighting animal cruelty in the days before it was fashionable and succeeding against all the odds to rescue two bears held captive by ignorance and inertia. Makes you think and take a hard look at your own actions.