Seekers: Return to the Wild #1: Island of Shadows
In this series starter, a companion to the wildly popular Seeker books, Hunter picks up after the death of the bear Ujurak in an avalanche. The remaining three bears, mourning the loss of their friend, begin the long journey home. Toklo, a brown bear; Lusa, a small black bear; and Kallik, a polar bear are accompanied by Yakone, another polar bear they met on Star Island. Toklo, in particular, misses his friend and is grumpy and difficult. Ujurak, now a starbear, appears to Lusa and Kallik in dreams, encouraging them to “remember what matters most.” The bears encounter great hardship, making their way eventually onto a large island where they encounter a young bear who was driven out by his family. Toklo, sure that the cub has been sent by Ujurak, is determined to protect him. Nanulak’s parents are a polar bear and a brown bear, and the young bear is deeply angry over his “mixed” status, bringing intense discord to the group that threatens to divide them completely. The bears’ journey has only just begun, and clearly there will be many more volumes. Reflecting the realities of the natural world, this new adventure will be greeted with delight by fans of the series.       HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Extensive marketing efforts, including companion websites, social media outreach, and online games, will likely expand the already vast fan base for Hunter’s series. Grades 5-8. --Lynn Rutan