Gentle Ben (Puffin Modern Classics)

Mark, 13, lives in Orca City, a coastal town in Alaska. His father, Karl, is a seine fisherman getting ready for the yearly salmon run. Fishermen in these parts have to make their annual wages in the next six weeks. After returning from school, Mark goes to visit Ben, a brown bear. Ben was captured as a cub by Fog Benson five years ago. He has been kept captive in a dark shed with little food. Mark beings him spare sandwiches and lets him have some sunshine all the time wishing that Ben was his. Mark knows just how to tickle Ben's ears and if he scratches him under the chin, Ben will stretch it out further and start grunting like a pig! Imagine Mark's surprise when his dad says that Fog has been trying to sell Ben for $100. With no interest he is now trying to sell tickets for $5 each. The winner gets to set Ben free and use him for target practice! Another surprise follows when Mark's mom tells him and his dad that she knows Mark has been spending his time with Ben. Can she persuade her husband that this is just what Mark needs. The doctor has said that Mark is showing the signs of TB like his deceased brother, Jamie. Prescription? Plenty of fresh air and exercise. When Mark tries to set Ben free, Karl makes Mark bring him back. Why? A good lesson on doing things honestly. What are the conditions that Karl puts in place in order for Mark to own Ben? Karl, unlike Mark and Ellen (mom), doesn't trust the Brownie so follows with rifle in hand when Mark takes Ben down to the tundra and creek. He can't believe that he is truly like a pet. When Karl's not available, Clearwater, a friend of the family goes. Lovely to watch how Clearwater goes from scared to convinced! Having been captive so long and taken from his mother at an early age, Ben doesn't know how to fish. Who will teach him and how? Another encounter with a drunken Fog Benson and his friends changes Ben's life forever. You'll likely feel some tears trickling in this section. I'm not going to ruin the suspense by giving you anymore of the story but this is a MUST read for all families! (What I have described is just the beginning. There is so much more!) We read it as a read aloud to our 13, 10 and 7 year old. We were ALL captivated. The author does an incredible job of describing not only the area but the people and of course Ben. However, it is not over described allowing your imagination to kick in. There are a few illustrations in the book to help the reader see how truly massive Ben was compared to his human companions. We see Mark, a somewhat naive, pale, 13 year old at the beginning of the story turn into a responsible teenager. The happenings in this book and the subsequent consequences were not easy to live with but Mark, encouraged by his parents, did what was right. This story does have a happy ending so your tears will have dried up. Grab a copy today, you won't be sorry. We purchased this book at full price. We were not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz

Bought as a birthday gift for my 10yr old niece who looovvveeesss to read. Was one of my favorite books as a kid! I was a terrible reader but this one of those books I actually made it all the way through, really enjoyed, and remembered. Excited to pass it on to the next generation! Book arrived promptly and in perfect condition. Due to a shipping blunder, my original gift didn’t arrive in time so I literally ordered this the day before her birthday party. Shipped it to my sister’s in the middle of nowhere and it arrived in the am before I even got there! Amazing!

I remember reading this when I was young and really enjoying it. I purchased this for my son so that he could read something besides Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Not that there is anything wrong with those books but those old Walt Morey books put young people outside, in nature, in difficult situations, and encouraged the reader to do right. My son read it and said that he like it.

I read this book when I was 12. Now I’m 50 and am happy because this book is hand autographed by Walt Morey, himself!

If you love Jack London stories, The Black Stallion, and other stories about the magical bond between human and animal, this is yet another one you’ll treasure and want to add to your collection.

I was so happy to find this book. It was one of my childhood favorites and I remember reading it a few times because I enjoyed it so much. I’m glad that I was able to add it to my collection as an adult.

Fun book for my 12 year old boy.

I have reread this novel many times, beginning with my children and now in my old age. It encourages the best in people and caring for animals. This is indeed a unique relationship with a wild animal, but shows the value and many lessons we learn from them, and for caring for them. In a desensitized world in which we live, we recognize basic moral values of honesty, work ethnics, and great loyality to family,animals and enviorement in this well written novel.