good - Ruthie

Not my type of story, but I really liked the SF YA?áAn Alien Music, and this is all that I can find for a reasonable price (never mind my library system) by A&E Johnson.

Ok, done.

Very much an adventure story: about a strong man who is made vulnerable by both the bear attack and by his desire to finally be a father to his son, and a boy raised by a gentle mother who learns a bit about the different kinds of strength and courage that define a man. ?á

Unfortunately the constant sexist references spoil the story: Mom's a girl, she doesn't like that sort of thing, she'd be scared, she wouldn't understand, girls don't...." ?áI found that surprising, given that Annabel is surely a girl, and so is the MC in Alien Music. ?áI think this story would have won me over if it weren't for that sexism. ?á

The details of the setting, of learning to fish and knowing the habits of bears, and truck camping, etc, were thorough and interesting... but actually, there's another big flaw in the book: surely no experienced outdoorsman would ever be stupid enough to leave open food on the open tailgate of the truck and then go fishing, given that it's known bear country.

Well, if I ever come across anything else by the Johnsons I will read it. ?áBut I won't seek out more. ?áTo you, I recommend only An Alien Music, and that only if you like older YA SF." ( )