Kodiak - by Tom Callaghan (Paperback)

About the Book

"A 15-year-old city-boy moved to a remote forest cabin on Big Bear Mountain and realized his connection to nature after discovering the 100-year-old journal by a grizzly hunter. The journal describes the final battle between the grizzlies and the US Army and the great fierce giant grizzly, Kodiak, with special powers, sent to help the bears survive."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A 15-year-old city-boy moved into a remote forest cabin on Big Bear Mountain and realized his connection to nature after discovering the 100-year-old journal of a grizzly hunter. The California Grizzly Bear was hunted into extinction 100 years ago, and was the most terrifying monster the early pioneers had ever faced. The journal tells the untold story about the extinction of the bears and describes an epic final battle between the grizzlies and the US Army. It even has a talking bear from outer space! Kodiak was a fierce, giant grizzly with special powers who was sent by the Great Creator to help the bears survive their impending doom. Battles raged and the bears were pursued but one clan escaped total annihilation with some unexpected help. This book has stories within stories as you read the entries in the journal, the boy's reaction, and how it affects events in his modern life. It is written in a way that mixes natural science with war and fantasy to create a roller-coaster adventure with many surprising twists.

Review Quotes

"It's been a long time since I've read something quite like Kodiak: King of the Grizzlies. Callaghan draws from his background in environmental science and his love of nature-plus his wild imagination-to create a very rare and compelling story with plenty of surprises. As a protagonist, Cole possesses a sense of curiosity and adventure that can only be described as contagious, and I kept thinking about him, Uncle Bill, and Big Bear Mountain long after I finished reading." -Dylan Roche, author of The Purple Bird

"Tom Callaghan intertwines a legendary pioneer story with the present-day intrigue of a bored 15-year-old to stir the hearts of readers. Detailed descriptions of life before and after humans developed the California wilderness draw readers into conflicting worlds, challenging them to rethink their own ideals and redefine the notion of hero. Can the great beasts of the wilderness coexist with humans? Some people-and beasts-thought so. The balance of nature and future of our ecosystem may depend on what you think, too." -Micki Bare, author of The Hubbleville Series