British-born author James Gould-Bourn bursts onto the U.S. literary scene with a charming, deeply comforting story about a father and son entrenched in grief.
Londoner Danny Malooley "learned the hardest way imaginable that all it took to dim the stars, stop the clocks, and bring the earth to a shuddering halt was one small, invisible sliver of ice on a country road." The impact of that event, a car accident that claimed the life of Liz, Danny's beloved wife--and mother to their son, Will--changes everything. For 14 months, father and son grapple with their loss, trying to shore up their shattered world. Matters hit rock bottom when Danny suddenly loses his construction job and cannot pay the bills. A threatening landlord and his brutish henchman even come knocking. Things are bad. But worst of all is the fact that 11-year-old Will has refused to speak to anyone--including his dad--since his mother's death. Will was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the fatal crash.
Depressed, destitute and desperate, Danny ambles through a park one day and spots street performers entertaining passersby and raking in money. This proves a moment of enlightenment as he decides, on a lark, to join their ranks. Barreling through a host of amusing complications, he secures an old panda bear suit and sets off to earn some money covertly.
With Danny learning the ropes of his secret new job, Will struggles with his lingering silence and being taunted by older kids at school. A gentle, caring and very astute substitute teacher familiar with "selective mutism" reaches out to Will. He shares a similar story from his own youth, relaying how he took solace in confiding in a stuffed animal toy. This exchange is recalled when Will finds himself bullied in the park and is unexpectedly rescued by--and ultimately makes friends with--a goofy-looking, dancing panda performer.
Heartfelt themes and wit further elevate charming plot twists and a well-tuned cast of quirky, supporting characters who prove that the spirit of friendship can build bridges to greater understanding and brighter days. Gould-Bourn is a beautiful, perceptive writer who has crafted a moving, sensitive story that is also very funny. Bear Necessity is a perfect literary antidote to anxious, troubled times. --Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines
Shelf Talker: In this delightful story, a grieving British father and his young son who refuses to speak learn to communicate with each other through a dancing panda bear.