Part of Middle School, book 15
First published 2022
Rafe gets an unexpected invitation from Dr. Daria Deerwin to participate in polar bear research in Alaska. The opportunity to see wild polar bears up close proves irresistible. He travels to the frozen tundra where temperatures drop so low they freeze hair and snot solid. Rafe spends his days working alongside Penelope, a girl he has developed feelings for. The research takes a dangerous turn when one of the polar bears Dr. Deerwin has been tracking disappears. Poachers are operating in the area, putting the missing bear at risk. Rafe must work with Penelope and other young researchers to locate the bear and stop the poachers. The mission tests his courage as he navigates both the harsh Arctic environment and his complicated feelings for Penelope. The stakes rise as they race against time to protect the wildlife from illegal hunters in the unforgiving wilderness.
Genres: animals, romance, adventure, contemporary, environmental-science
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, mission
Setting: Alaska, Arctic
Period: Contemporary
257 pages · Kindle Edition · jimmy patterson
Content warnings: animal-death, violence