POCKET BEAR, by Katherine Applegate, Feiwel & Friends, Sept. 9, 2025, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 8-12)
A cat and an old bear work together to give stuffed animals a second chance at a loving home in Pocket Bear, by Katherine Applegate.
Thimble-born from tip to toe, Pocket Bear remembers every moment of his becoming: the glimmering needle, the silken thread, the tender hands as each careful stitch brought him closer to himself. Born during the throes of WWI, he was designed to fit into the pocket of a soldier’s jacket, eyes sewn a bit higher than normal so that he always gazed upward. That way, glancing at his pocket, a soldier would see an endearing token of love from someone back home, and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
Now, over a century later, Pocket serves as unofficial mayor of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed toy animals are refurbished and given a fresh opportunity to be loved. He and his best feline friend Zephyrina, known far and wide as “The Cat Burglar,” have seen it all, and then some.
An unforgettable tale of bravery, loyalty, and kindness, Pocket reminds us all that love comes in many forms (sometimes filled with fluff), and that second chances are always possible. —Synopsis provided by Feiwel & Friends
Author Katherine Applegate is well-loved in the middle-grade sphere. And with good reason. The bestselling author of Odder and Newbery Award-winning The One and Only Ivan explores complex issues through nuanced writing that is accessible and relatable.
On its face, Pocket Bear is the story of stuffed animals getting a second chance, but it’s oh, so much more.
Pocket was created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle during WWI. Pocket’s bravery and loyalty continue, but he also carries the weight of his job past and present.
Elizaveta and Dasha are the refugees of the current war in Ukraine. They are struggling to just get by, but they want to help others.
And then there’s Zephyrina, the cat. Zephyrina is a street cat who shies from love and affection. Yet she begrudgingly keeps coming back — for the food, she says. It is from Zephyrina’s point of view that Pocket Bear unfolds, and she’s marvelous. From the opening sentences, I knew that Pocket Bear would be a joy to read aloud. Zephyrina’s voice rings loud and true and is a complete delight, offering humor and heart in just the right places.
Graphite chapter illustrations are sprinkled throughout adding charm to this already loveable story. Short chapters and an adventurous end make Pocket Bear perfect for younger middle-readers. I highly recommend it.
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