Hunted: Polar Prey

Description: Ten-year-old Jeremy must save his mother, Paula. A scientist, Paula is stranded on an iceberg in the Arctic, being stalked by a polar bear. Jeremy asks Felix, his Inuit friend, if his father can fly the helicopter stored at the Global Warming Research Station to save his mother. Felix is uncertain, because his father has not flown since the terrible helicopter accident where he almost died. Author Sara Louise Kras seamlessly alternates between four different viewpoints: the polar bear, Jeremy, Paula his mother, and the Inuit boy Felix. The polar bear is driven by hunger and desperation. Jeremy, the main character, is frantic to save his mother. Paula tries to remain calm, but begins to lose hope when she sees the approaching polar bear. And Felix's respect and love for his father, helps his father overcome his fears.

Review Quotes: Time is running out for twelve-year-old Jeremy to help his mom, a global warming researcher trapped on an Arctic iceberg and threatened by a polar bear. The undemanding novel's short chapters are told from alternating viewpoints (including the bear and Jeremy's stereotyped Inuit friend). The cliffhanger endings will lure in reluctant readers; stilted dialogue, clunky writing and flat characters will disappoint them., The Horn Book Guide Fall 2014