Coco, an orphaned bear cub born in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, is heartbroken to leave her canine friends, Molly, Rags, and Pupsie. But as Babou, the adult male bear who cares for her, explains, it is time to find a mama bear to adopt Coco and teach her how to live as a free, wild bear. Babou and Coco set out on a perilous journey-with close encounters with a mountain lion and an intimidating group of male bears. Eventually, they meet Good Mama, who adopts Coco. But the adjustment is tough. Coco has a lot to learn about being a "real" bear! Plus, she misses her friends, and her stepsister resents her. Coco tells the story of the young bear's first hibernation with her adopted family in a cave full of bats; a sweet reunion with Molly, Rags, and Pupsie; and many other adventures as Coco matures and eventually has a family of her own. Part truth, part fiction, this child-friendly book smoothly weaves themes of adoption and bullying in a sweet yet realistic tale of survival
