Orphaned and left to live with her awful Aunt Rita, Puloma can finally take no more and runs away.
As she searches for work in the Indian city of Malpur, she is rejected by every shopkeeper. Finally, she rests, exhausted beside a fountain, but is suddenly pushed in. Angered, Puloma jumps up and chases the culprit, a young boy, Dev, who had been handing out leaflets for a circus. She follows him deep into the woods and discovers a hidden circus.
All is not well. The circus people are terrified of being discovered by the authorities. Their main attraction and the star of the show is Nyla, a dancing Sloth bear. Puloma knows it is illegal to keep and use a bear in this manner but does she have a choice when the circus ringmaster, Mr Kapoor, allows her to stay and work for the circus?
Gradually, Puloma takes over the care of Nyla and they form a close bond until eventually she decides they must escape for the sake of the bear’s health.
Can Puloma and Nyla outwit Mr Kapoor and everyone from the circus? By trying to save Nyla, will Puloma lose Dev, the only friend she has in the world?
Puloma and the Bear is a story of hope against adversity.
A wonderful showcase of the many people who spread kindness in this world.
Despite being orphaned and having an aunt and uncle who do not appreciate her, Puloma exhibits great strength and independence not only when she leaves their house but also when she braves the wrath of the members of the circus to rescue Nyla.
It is a super story about having the power of your own conviction.
An easy to read, ten chapter book, Puloma and the Bear has all the elements of a a great adventure!
It is a very clever way to raise awareness of sloth bears being used as entertainment, something that is still being done today, despite it becoming illegal in 1972. The back matter goes on to explain that charities such as Animal Rescue and Wildlife SOS are working hard stop this happening.
This would be the perfect book to instigate some very interesting discussions!
Suitable for readers of 9+ with a reading age of 8.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for the review copy.
