Gentle Ben

I just read Gentle Ben by Walt Morey and it was the best novel I read this summer.  The story is about thirteen year old Mark Andersen who lives in Alaska, and his best friend, a bear named Ben.  Of course, most teenagers in Alaska don't have pet bears, and it creates some challenges for the whole family.  If I taught middle school, I would use it for a read aloud for my students.  This classic is worth reading for anyone thirteen years and older middle who likes the outdoors or animals.