Pearly Everlasting - A Novel BY Tammy Armstrong

Set in the heart of New Brunswick during the Great Depression, Pearly Everlasting tells the poignant story of a girl and a bear raised as siblings in a remote logging camp. In 1934, when a cook finds an orphaned bear cub, he brings it home to his wife, who names him Bruno. Alongside her newborn daughter, Pearly, they forge an unbreakable bond, growing up inseparable amidst the dangers of camp life, where loggers risk their lives every day.

However, their idyllic existence shatters when a ruthless new supervisor arrives, exploiting the workers and abusing Bruno. When the supervisor is discovered dead, blame quickly falls on the bear. In a swift act of betrayal, Bruno is kidnapped and sold to an animal trader.

Now a teenager, Pearly is determined to rescue her only brother. Embarking on a perilous journey through the unforgiving forest, she ventures into “the Outside” for the first time, navigating treacherous ice and snow while evading malevolent spirits and cruel villagers.

Steeped in rural folklore and rich with atmospheric detail, Pearly Everlasting is a tale of courage, resilience, and the bonds that transcend all obstacles. As Pearly discovers new worlds and unearths a strength she never knew she possessed, she learns that love can conquer even the darkest of challenges, illuminating the beauty of the natural world and the enduring power of family.