2022 Madrina Musa
THE WATER BEARS...
Newt Gomez has a thing with bears. He survived a bear attack and then an unusual bear statue washes up on his favorite beach. Newt's best friend, Ethan, notices a wishbone on the statue and decides to make a wish. When it comes true, Newt thinks it's a coincidence. Even as other people’s wishes come true, Newt is not convinced.
But Newt has a wish too: while he loves his home on eccentric Murphy Island, he wants to go to the mainland, where his warm extended family lives. There, he's not the only Latinx kid, he won't have to drive a former taco truck--a gift from his parents--and he won't have to perform in the talent show. Newt is almost ready to make a secret wish for himself when everything changes.
Tackling themes of survival and self-acceptance, Newt's story illuminates the magic in our world, where reality is often uncertain but always full of salvageable wonders.
“Rich character building, tender relationships, and a vibrant setting tingling with magical possibility combine for a satisfying tale.” --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"[A] subtle, satisfying read." --Publishers Weekly, starred review.
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ORDER A COPY NOW!
Newt Gomez has a thing with bears. He survived a bear attack and then an unusual bear statue washes up on his favorite beach. Newt's best friend, Ethan, notices a wishbone on the statue and decides to make a wish. When it comes true, Newt thinks it's a coincidence. Even as other people’s wishes come true, Newt is not convinced.
But Newt has a wish too: while he loves his home on eccentric Murphy Island, he wants to go to the mainland, where his warm extended family lives. There, he's not the only Latinx kid, he won't have to drive a former taco truck--a gift from his parents--and he won't have to perform in the talent show. Newt is almost ready to make a secret wish for himself when everything changes.
Tackling themes of survival and self-acceptance, Newt's story illuminates the magic in our world, where reality is often uncertain but always full of salvageable wonders.
“Rich character building, tender relationships, and a vibrant setting tingling with magical possibility combine for a satisfying tale.” --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"[A] subtle, satisfying read." --Publishers Weekly, starred review.
ADD TO GOODREADS
ORDER A COPY NOW!
ABOUT KIM...
Kim Baker’s first middle grade novel, Pickle, has been selected for many reading lists, won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and was a finalist for the CBC Children’s Choice Book of the Year and the Texas Bluebonnet Award. Her second book, The Water Bears, was featured in the Washington Post’s Summer Book Club and was one of Kirkus’s Best Books of 2020. She lives in Seattle near panaderías and tide pools, but usually far from bears.
https://www.kimbakerbooks.com/
Kim Baker’s first middle grade novel, Pickle, has been selected for many reading lists, won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and was a finalist for the CBC Children’s Choice Book of the Year and the Texas Bluebonnet Award. Her second book, The Water Bears, was featured in the Washington Post’s Summer Book Club and was one of Kirkus’s Best Books of 2020. She lives in Seattle near panaderías and tide pools, but usually far from bears.
https://www.kimbakerbooks.com/