First published 1945
David and Gopali set out across the Indian countryside with Bhimsa, their trained dancing bear. The boys depend on the bear's performances to earn money as they move from village to village. Their journey takes them through diverse landscapes and communities, where they encounter different people and face various challenges. David must navigate his friendship with Gopali while adapting to life on the road. The bear becomes more than just their source of income as the three travelers form an unlikely family. Their adventures test their resourcefulness and loyalty to each other. The story explores the bond between the boys and their animal companion as they discover what home means when you carry it with you.
Genres: fiction, animals, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: India
Period: 20th-century
120 pages · Hardcover · Charles Scribner's Sons