Deportation, separation, and friendship are all themes of the 2026 middle grade novel, Gift Of The Bear. This book addresses today’s injustices through the historical lens of the Acadian expulsion from Nova Scotia in 1755. 14,000 Acadians were deported by the British, homes burning behind them, for refusing loyalty to the King.
Twelve-year-old Edward Abbot of Andover in the colony of Massachusetts vows to reunite “Johnny Bear,” the Acadian refugee taken in by the Abbot family, with the parents he was separated from. As both navigate language barriers by teaching each other, they develop a strong friendship. This bond sustains them when Johnny Bear endures taunts and threats from some Andover residents who view him as an outsider, a town burden, and seek to use him as slave labor.
Edward uses every available avenue to track down Johnny Bear’s parents. As a last resort, he and Johnny Bear leave under cover of night on Edward’s family’s two horses. Will they make it through Native territory? Will Johnny Bear’s parents be at the destination Edward is aiming for? Readers will root for both boys as they navigate the dangers they encounter.
Rich in historical detail, Gift of the Bear is meticulously researched by Zube, who is proud of her Acadian heritage. Beautifully written, engaging, and timely, Gift of the Bear is an adventure story written for ages 8-12. However, all historical fiction readers will enjoy this well-crafted story. A New Hampshire author, Pat Zube is available for school, bookstore, and library visits.
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