The Water Bears
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Narrated by:
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Ozzie Rodriguez
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By:
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Kim Baker
About this listen
"With warmth and humor, Kim Baker conjures a magical tale of finding the most elusive creature of all: one's true self." (Kirby Larson, author of the New York Times best seller and Newbery Honor winner Hattie Big Sky and the Audacity Jones series)
A quirky, empowering story about a boy recovering from a bear attack with the help of his friends and maybe, some magic. For fans of Lemons by Melissa Savage, Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer by Kelly Jones, and The Canning Season by Polly Horvath.
Newt Gomez has a thing with bears. Last year, he survived a bear attack. And this year, he finds an unusual bear statue that just might grant wishes. Newt's best friend, Ethan, notices a wishbone on the statue and decides to make a wish. When it comes true, Newt thinks it's a coincidence. Even as more people wish on the bear and their wishes come true, Newt is not convinced.
But Newt has a wish too: While he loves his home on eccentric Murphy Island, he wants to go to middle school on the mainland, where his warm extended family lives. There, he's not the only Latinx kid, he won't have to drive the former taco truck - a gift from his parents - and he won't have to perform in the talent show. Most importantly, on the mainland, he never has bad dreams about the attack. Newt is almost ready to make a secret wish when everything changes.
Tackling themes of survival and self-acceptance, Newt's story illuminates the magic in our world, where reality is often uncertain but always full of salvageable wonders.
©2020 Kim Baker (P)2020 Listening LibraryListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"A captivating story that creatively blends the wonder and excitement of potential magic with the life challenges that each character must face. A joy to read!" (Christina Diaz Gonzalez, author of the award-winning The Red Umbrella and the Moving Target series)
"Is there magic on Murphy Island: a monster in the lake, a bear that grants wishes? The Water Bears is a magical story with wonderful characters set in a most unusual place." (Patricia Reilly Giff, author of the Newbery Honor winners Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods)
"Like a lucky charm or a cup of warm cocoa, this book wraps the reader in hope and offers comfort in the face of change. A sincere exploration of recovery and growth." (Anna Meriano, author of the Love Sugar Magic series)
"Kim Baker sees the world I live in clearly: the beauty and the hard things, the complications, and the magic. Most of all, she sees our connections. A magical, honest look at life’s messy wonder. Highly recommended." (Kelly Jones, author of the Unusual Chickens series and Sauerkraut)
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The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season
- By: Molly Fader
- Narrated by: Nancy Peterson
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Everything Hope knows about the Orchard House is from the stories of her late mother. So when she arrives at the northern Michigan family estate late one night with a terrible secret and her 10-year-old daughter in tow, she’s not sure if she’ll be welcomed or turned away with a shotgun by the aunt she has never met.
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Really Enjoyed It
- By Kathryn @theBookDate on 03-30-21
By: Molly Fader
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The Menagerie
- Menagerie Series, Book 1
- By: Tui T. Sutherland, Kari H. Sutherland
- Narrated by: Em Eldridge
- Length: 6 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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In the small town of Xanadu, Wyoming, lies the Menagerie, a top secret facility filled with unicorns, dragons, phoenixes, and other fairy tale creatures. At least, it was a secret - until six griffin cubs escaped. If Logan and Zoe don't get the cubs back fast, the entire Menagerie will be shut down. The race is on and the resulting adventure is only the beginning of a thrilling series that will leave listeners wanting a magical menagerie of their very own.
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starting to love these two authors
- By Christopher Tersinar on 01-13-21
By: Tui T. Sutherland, and others
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The Turtle of Oman
- By: Naomi Shihab Nye
- Narrated by: Peter Ganim
- Length: 4 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Aref does not want to move to Michigan. He's sure the kids there won't like him. Also, he has everything he needs right where he is! But Sidi has another point of view. Sidi says Aref will go and come back. Just like a falcon or the turtles of Oman, he'll travel far and make his way home to Muscat. So Aref sets out to say good-bye to everything he loves. Good-bye to Mish-Mish, Diram, Sulima, dunes, Sidi…. But how can he stand it?
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A long goodbye
- By K Gray on 02-03-24
By: Naomi Shihab Nye
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Full Cicada Moon
- By: Marilyn Hilton
- Narrated by: Cindy Kay
- Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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It's 1969, and the Apollo 11 mission is getting ready to go to the moon. But for half-black, half-Japanese Mimi, moving to a predominantly white Vermont town is enough to make her feel alien. Suddenly, Mimi's appearance is all anyone notices. She struggles to fit in with her classmates, even as she fights for her right to stand out. This historical middle-grade novel is told in poems from Mimi's perspective over the course of one year in her new town, and shows listeners that positive change can start with just one person speaking up.
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My 10 year grandgirl & I
- By Dava Brooke Zschau on 06-06-22
By: Marilyn Hilton
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Don't Date Rosa Santos
- By: Nina Moreno
- Narrated by: Almarie Guerra
- Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea - at least, that's what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you're a boy with a boat. But Rosa feels more caught than cursed - caught between cultures and choices, between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. As her college decision looms, Rosa collides - literally - with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina.
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Nice Idea, Boring Story
- By Doha on 07-27-19
By: Nina Moreno
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All Manner of Things
- By: Susie Finkbeiner
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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When Annie Jacobson's brother Mike enlists as a medic in the Army in 1967, he hands her a piece of paper with the address of their long-estranged father. If anything should happen to him in Vietnam, Mike says, Annie must let their father know. In Mike's absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time. As they work toward healing and pray fervently for Mike's safety overseas, letter by letter the Jacobsons must find a way to pull together as a family, regardless of past hurts.
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Real fiction
- By Katijanae on 01-19-23
By: Susie Finkbeiner
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Lena, the Sea, and Me
- By: Maria Parr, Guy Puzey - translator
- Narrated by: Luke Daniels
- Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Trille and Lena may be getting older, but they still find everyday adventure - and trouble - in their coastal village, including sinking every raft they build, getting little sisters stuck up flag poles, and attending those dreaded music lessons. But that’s not all. The arrival of a less-than-encouraging new soccer coach is putting twelve-year-old Lena's goalkeeping career in doubt. And Trille is wondering how to impress the girl who has just joined his class.
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Great story!
- By Caroline Floyd on 02-19-23
By: Maria Parr, and others
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The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets
- A Novel
- By: Molly Fader
- Narrated by: Nancy Peterson
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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It’s been 17 years since the tragic summer the McAvoy sisters fell apart. Lindy, the wild one, left home, carved out a new life in the city, and never looked back. Delia, the sister who stayed, became a mother herself, raising her daughters and running the family shop in their small Ohio hometown on the shores of Lake Erie. But now, with their mother’s ailing health and a rebellious teenager to rein in, Delia has no choice but to welcome Lindy home.
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Great story
- By Nessa on 09-25-23
By: Molly Fader
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Tornado Brain
- By: Cat Patrick
- Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Things never seem to go as easily for 13-year-old Frankie as they do for her sister, Tess. Unlike Tess, Frankie is neurodivergent. In her case, that means she can't stand to be touched, loud noises bother her, she's easily distracted, she hates changes in her routine, and she has to go see a therapist while other kids get to hang out at the beach. It also means Frankie has trouble making friends. She did have one - Colette - but they're not friends anymore. It's complicated. Then, just weeks before the end of seventh grade, Colette unexpectedly shows up at Frankie's door.
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Relatable
- By Megan Kammerer on 10-10-21
By: Cat Patrick
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Promises of the Heart: A Novel
- Savannah Skies, Book 1
- By: Nan Rossiter
- Narrated by: Erin Bennett
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Macey and Ben Samuelson have much to be thankful for: great friends, a beautiful - if high-maintenance - Victorian house on idyllic Tybee Island, and a rock-solid marriage. The only thing missing is what they want the most. After her fifth miscarriage in six years, Macey worries that the family they’ve always dreamed of might be out of reach. Her sister suggests adoption, but Macey and Ben aren’t interested in pursuing that path...until a three-legged Golden Retriever named Keeper wags his way into their home and their hearts.
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Excellent book
- By Judy on 02-28-20
By: Nan Rossiter
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Growing Things and Other Stories
- By: Paul Tremblay
- Narrated by: Sean Crisden, Graham Halstead, Cassandra Campbell, and others
- Length: 11 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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A chilling collection of psychological suspense and literary horror from the multiple award-winning author of the national best seller The Cabin at the End of the World and A Head Full of Ghosts. A masterful anthology featuring 19 pieces of short fiction, Growing Things and Other Stories is an exciting glimpse into Paul Tremblay’s fantastically fertile imagination.
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Paul Tremblay is totally nuts.
- By Gary & Jay on 07-07-19
By: Paul Tremblay
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Summer Hours
- A Novel
- By: Amy Mason Doan
- Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Becc was the good girl. A dedicated student. Aspiring reporter. Always where she was supposed to be. Until a secret affair with the charming Cal one summer in college cost her everything she held dear: her journalism dreams; her relationship with her best friend, Eric; and her carefully imagined future. Now, Becc’s past is back front and center as she travels up the scenic California coast to a wedding - with a man she hasn’t seen in a decade. As each mile flies by, Becc can’t help but feel the thrilling push and pull of memories.
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LOVED IT
- By Margaret on 04-30-20
By: Amy Mason Doan
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Clementine
- Clementine, Book 1
- By: Sara Pennypacker
- Narrated by: Jessica Almasy
- Length: 1 hr and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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When her best friend and neighbor Margaret comes to her with a problem, Clementine goes to many lengths to help her friend. This sets off a rollicking adventure-filled week that finds Clementine getting into and out of further trouble, while learning valuable life lessons.
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One credit for a 1.5 hr book!?
- By Nothing really matters on 02-21-16
By: Sara Pennypacker
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The Story of Arthur Truluv
- A Novel
- By: Elizabeth Berg
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Berg
- Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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Three people find their way back from loss and loneliness to a different kind of belonging in this deeply moving novel. Arthur, an old widower struggling to overcome his grief, meets Maddy, a troubled teenage girl who avoids school by hiding out where Arthur goes every day for lunch. The two strike up a friendship that draws them out of isolation.
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Sickly Sweet
- By Amazon Customer on 01-19-18
By: Elizabeth Berg
What listeners say about The Water Bears
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Miss Right
- 05-05-20
I wish I could double up on the 5 star limit!
I love this story of overcoming trauma, of quirky people, of magic, kind of. It’s funny and sad at the same time. It’s a reflection of what really goes on in people’s hearts.
I fell in love with Newton, ‘Newt’ for short, the middle school age hero. He brought back some good childhood memories of my own, and new insights of what it means to be human, to be loved, and to love in return.
Newt is Hispanic, a culture that’s seldom represented in children’s literature. Young readers who see themselves in media as belonging to society are much more likely to feel a part of it. They’re more likely to succeed.
As a teacher, I frequently immerse myself in books for children. They are often touchstones for the most important things in life. The Water Bears is definitely one of those special books that will live on for a very long time. It’s destined to be a classic and one I’d recommend for anyone, child or adult.
Ozzie Rodriguez is the perfect reader!
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- Beth Lynn Perry
- 06-05-22
Listened To It Twice!
THIS IS RELEVANT TO MY INTERESTS. The story has magical realism, a quirky island/town, interesting main and secondary characters, and GOATS. It's also well-written, and the audio narration is fantastic. I can't wait to read/listen to the author's next book!
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1 person found this helpful