Emory’s Gift-W. Bruce Cameron

Emory’s Gift
W. Bruce Cameron
Forge, Aug 30 2011, $22.99
ISBN: 9780765327819

In 1974 Idaho, thirteen years old Charlie Hall loses both his parents. His mom died from leukemia and his grieving dad George is not there for his runt of a son when the lad needs him most. Charlie is a loner who has no friends at school. In fact his former best buddy Dan wants to beat the snot out of Charlie to prove his toughness as a man.

A cougar attacks Charlie but a grizzly bear saves his life so to thank his savior the teen gives the animal the fish he caught. The bear and human seem to understand one another so the former writes his name in the dirt and his new friend does likewise: "Emory." On a barn wall Emory scribes he was once a civil war soldier with a message to tell. The shrinks assume Charlie uses the bear as a grief stricken coping device until his father gets hurt in a ranching accident. When the townsfolk try to put Emory to sleep, Charlie, seventh grader Beth Shelburton the daughter of his father’s partner and George protect the bear.

This is an entertaining fable starring a boy all alone in trouble with a deep loss at a time he is undergoing adolescent changes. Emory’s reincarnation personification never quite seems real while Charlie does. Fans or reincarnation tales would be better off with W. Bruce Cameron’s whimsical A Dog's Purpose, but those readers who enjoy a tender sentimental coming of age historical will appreciate Emory’s Gift to Charlie and others.

Harriet Klausner