Jasper is NOT happy. There’s lot he’s not happy about. His name to start with. What were his parents thinking? Why couldn’t they just pick a surname and be done with it. Why does he have to have two! Jasper Robinson Woods. That’s just for starters. He misses his Nana who always made him feel seen. He misses his Pop who made his Nana happy. He misses his dad who after an argument with his mum, drove off one day without looking back.

And to top it off? His goldfish looks seriously ill. He certainly isn’t living up to his name – Han Solo. Mind you, he never was a very energetic fish, and the green slime around his bowl probably isn’t helping. This just makes Jasper feel even worse, even though he knows it’s his fault.

Everything just feels so hard. His mum’s news about her boyfriend moving in doesn’t help, or the looks from his Year 9 Dean when he’s late for school, again.

But the worst thing, the worst of everything is the bear.

It turned up in his dreams when he was younger. It seemed to go away for a while, but it was back. Telling Jasper how useless he was and he was going to get him once and for all. Jasper’s lack of sleep is not helping at all, and when he realises the Bear has followed him to school – he snaps. More trouble.

The only light between all the dark thoughts and feelings swallowing him bit by bit is Nina. She’s smiled at him, and been kind when others laughed. Jasper has no friends any more, but maybe Nina might be a friend one day?

Before that can happen, Jasper goes through even worse turmoil, pushing everyone who loves him away, leaving his mum distraught, confused and worried. Jasper knows he must change. He knows he must confront the Bear.

Winner of the 2024 Storylines Tess Duder YA Award, BEAR is funny, tender, painful and beautiful as m/c Jasper emerges from anxiety and depression with love and care of those around him.

This journey is far from smooth, destructive, angry and hurtful sometimes, but through art, support, love and understanding, this 13 year old boy fells his inner foes and learns to deal with his outer ones.

Another special element of this YA novel is the dozens of pencil sketches throughout as Jasper tells his tale. Along with the larger font and white spaces the illustrations help provide, this make BEAR an much more engaging read for reluctant readers.

Perfect for any teen struggling with dark thoughts, self doubt, or anxiety, as Jasper is funny, relatable and authentic. 

Author – Kiri Lightfoot

Illustrator – Pippa Keel Situ

Age – 13-16

(2024, Allen & Unwin, Winner of the 2024 Storylines Tessa Duder YA Award, Anxiety, Depression, Worry, Worries, What Ifs, Self Doubt, Change, Missing Dad, New Stepdad, Relationships, Trouble, Anger, Lashing out, Destructive)