The Bears of Blue River

by Charles Major

Book Overview

The Bears of Blue River describes the adventures of a young boy growing up in early nineteenth-century rural Indiana. Little Balser lives with his parents, a younger brother, and a baby sister in a cozy log cabin on the bank of the Big Blue River. Although only thirteen or fourteen years old, he is quite familiar with the dangers and rigors of frontier life. As the story unfolds, the boy becomes lost in the forest, encounters the fierce...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0253203309
• ISBN13: 9780253203304
• Release Date: September 1984
• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

So Many Typos

I ordered a new copy of this book because it wasn’t that much more money than a used copy. Unfortunately this new edition has so many obvious typos. For example, the main character’s name was not capitalized, misspelled words, or the completely wrong word (hungers instead of hunters).

My Favorite

I am an elementary teacher in southern Indiana. I have read the Bears of Blue River to my students almost every year I have taught, which means I have read it to students for over 30 years. The only exception being that the teacher who had the class the previous year, had already read it. My students have always loved it. Many of them would check the book out of the library to read after I had read it to the class. Some of my former students remind me how much they loved that book. It is truly an enjoyable book, not only for kids, but for adults as well.

I've Walked Where Balsar Walked

The book "The Bears of Blue River" was a very interesting book for me to read. The content of the book was very simple and quite easy to follow. Children of all ages, along with adults, will find this book hard to put down after they start to read it. This story takes place in Shelby County. One of the main reasons I chose to read this book was because I live in Shelby County. My grandmother read this book to me when I was in pre-school. I have always remembered about how Balsar, the main character in the book, loved his gun and the outdoors. In this book it talks about how there is a "blowout hole" where the Conns Creek and the Flatrock River flow together. We (Hinkles, my family) actually own property that is on the banks next to the blowout hole. So this was very interesting for me. I too have also explored the many little caves and such that are on the Flatrock River. I believe this is a wonderful book that boys and girls, even men and women, will be able to enjoy very much. The book has absolutely amazing descriptions of various places in Shelby County. I have found these descriptions to be very accurate, as I have hiked, camped, fished, or hunted on the exact same land the author, Charles Major, described so very well.

Childhood memories

Growing up in the small town of Shelbyville, IN, The Bears of Blue River is a must read book. Everyday in the town of Shelbyville, one can be reminded of little Balsar and his adventures. Located around the circle in Shelbyville, stands a statue of Balsar holding the two bear cubs, Tom and Jerry. The statue is part of the history behind Shelbyville. The Bears of Blue River brings back many wonderful childhood memories. After recess everyday in the fourth grade, my class would gather in the front of the room to hear what exciting adventures were in store for Balsar. The Bears of Blue River puts youngsters on the edge of their seat. I know that I could not wait to see what dangers Balsar would overcome next; I believe this is why I love the book. The pages of this book cannot be turned fast enough. The Bears of Blue River was the book that opened my eyes to the wonderful world of reading. Children are not the only ones who love to read the book, adults enjoy the book as well. The book depicts what real life was like back in the twenties, something no reality show can duplicate. Harsh winters and fierce animals were only a part of what the Brent family had to encounter, sometimes on a daily basis. The book allows children to relive the life of Balsar and his friends. I think the book could really give children a deeper appreciation of today's way of living. I am a first year college student, who still to this day thinks that The Bears of Blue River is the most fun and action packed book one can buy. Children and adults of all ages are sure to fall in love with the brave little Balsar and all of his friends.

A family keepsake

In 2001 my father age 82 mentioned this book as the only one he remembered his father reading to him as a young boy. I'm his son at age 59 and decided to get a library copy for us to read again. Dad doesn't read much anymore but he devoured the book which brought good memories back. I liked it as well because it gave me a family "connection" over 3 generations, and the book is also easy to read and good reading to boot. Our ancestors settled in Indiana in the 1830's and they lived next to the Flatrock River(in the book)Had to buy a copy for family keepsake

Hometown Classic

Growing up in Shelby County, Indiana, the setting for the classic book and home of the annual Bears of Blue River Festival, this book has always held a special place in my heart. It was one of the first books I was ever read in school and as I got older, I found myself in many of the exact places that were used in the book, such as the Blowout Hole which is where the Fire Bear supposedly fell off the cliff and exploded.The actual story is even more interesting. In that part of Indiana, there are many natural gas pockets deep in the ground. A settler had been burning brush and caused one of these pockets to explode, creating a deep hole (Blowout Hole) where the Flat Rock River and Conns Creek flow together. Both streams flowed backwards for a week, and the windows on houses were shattered for miles around. In fact, a childhood friend of mine lived in one of the nearby houses and it still exhibited a crack from foundation to roof from the mighty explosion. The tiny farming community even made the front page of the New York Times. Anyways, just wanted to give you some background. If you're ever in the area, go visit the fields and streams south of Waldron, Indiana and your sure to see some of the settings in Majors' book. You'll probably come across a lot of Native American arrowheads and other artifacts as well--if you look close enough.And if you haven't read the book, do so at once!!!