A Bear Named Trouble: A story from the headlines
In Marion Dane Bauer’s book, A Bear Named Trouble, ten-year-old Jonathan and his father move to Anchorage, where his father is the new zookeeper. Jonathan loves animals and befriends a young, injured bear named Trouble who had broken into the zoo. After killing Mother Goose, the zoo’s favorite attraction for children, Jonathan struggles with his grief for the goose and his anger with Trouble. Eventually, Jonathan understands Trouble’s actions and plans a way to save the bear’s life.
A Bear Named Trouble is based on a true story. Look through the St. Petersburg Times for a story about an animal in trouble (or a photograph). Write your own story idea with a similar theme to Bear Named Trouble and enter it in our Headlines Book Battle Contest. Click here for more information.




3rd grade LIC - Snack and Chat
Attended: Mrs. Rouse’s class with Mrs. Hill. And Kayliegh from Mrs. Kliensorge’s class.
Our favorite parts were when:
Trouble was a baby, because we like baby animals.
Mama Goose climbed up and sat on Jonathans lap as he fed her popcorn. It was funny to picture Mama Goose pecking at Jonathan’s ear.
The story made us sad when:
Mama Bear made Trouble go stay away from her and be on his own all by himself.
Trouble was looking for food and heard the gun shots of hunters.
And when the Mama Moose hit him with her hoof and broke his jaw.
We hope you have as much fun getting together and discussing “Trouble” as we did.
Ms. Sheryl Adams, LIS
Starkey El – 3rd Grade Snack and Chat group.
Posted by: Sheryl Adams | September 26, 2007 at 11:57 AM
A touching book about a bear and a boy perfect choice for a Battle book
Forest Lakes Elem.
Posted by: T J | September 26, 2007 at 01:12 PM
It was very interesting to be reading this book this past summer while in Anchorage, Alaska. I did take my grandchildren to the zoo, and we did see the bear area, but we didn't find any information about Trouble. The zoo was very clean and the animals were cared for. They even have a live polar bear cam; http://www.alaskazoo.org/polbrcamhome.htm. You should check it out.
Posted by: fm, Oldsmar ES | September 27, 2007 at 03:50 AM
Last week in the ST. Pete Times there were pictures of dogs swimming in the Fossil Park pool. They were having a great time.
In the book A Bear Named Trouble, Trouble at the beginning of the story, is enjoying life with his mother. She provided for all of his needs. Life for him at this time was the best ever!
Posted by: B.S., Mrs. Gusky, 4, Orange Grove | October 01, 2007 at 10:07 AM
When I read A Bear Named Trouble, I was interested in it because it took place in Alaska. My family amd I always wanted to go there. Also I was very disappointed that they had to tranquilize Trouble and that he killed Mother Goose. I did enjoy the details that they put in the story. I almost felt the pain of the tranquilizer dart,the smell of the salmon,and the texture of the soft,wet snow.
Posted by: B.M, Ms. Bate's 5th grade class, Mrs. Oldja LIS, Lakewood El | October 02, 2007 at 09:39 AM
My favorite part is when Jonathan cared about Trouble. I felt sad when Trouble broke his jaw and Mama Goose died.
I hope you feel for Trouble as much as I do.
Posted by: JL, Mrs. Pederson's 3rd grade class, Pasadena Fundamental Elementary School | October 02, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I liked it because it is based on true story (although they added a few fake bits). It's very much like "Runt", which I read last year for the BOB. I'm not surprised that another book by this author was selected. Marion Dane Bauer is a very talented author. I enjoyed it very much and I hope you will too.
Posted by: Grettel - 5th Grade - Noethwest E.S. - Mr. Parr's class | October 02, 2007 at 05:39 PM
Our group enjoyed our discussion of A Bear Named Trouble in our ‘Snack – n- Chat’ session.
We were mad at Mama Bear when she abandoned Trouble for a mate. We think Trouble’s mom didn’t teach him how to be on his own.
The author took us on an interesting journey with several twists in the storyline. We had fun picking out what the facts in the story were, and what was made up by Marion Dane Bauer.
How will Rhonda feel when she finds out about Mama Goose? We were shocked when we read the event. What was your reaction when you read it?
Over all we would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
5th grade Snack –n- Chat group with Ms Sheryl Adams, LIS at Starkey Elementary, Seminole, Fl
Posted by: Sheryl Adams | October 03, 2007 at 08:24 AM
A Bear Named Trouble is based on a true story. We liked the story because it has lots of action. We would recommend this book to anyone who likes animal adventure stories.
4th -Grade Snack-n-Chat group facilitated by Ms Sheryl Adams, LIS and Mrs Linda Raybourne, Reading Coach - Starkey Elementary
Posted by: Sheryl Adams | October 03, 2007 at 02:40 PM
I like how Trouble gets a home in the zoo and possibly meets another bear.
Posted by: Will V. at Forest Lakes Elem. | October 04, 2007 at 10:03 AM
I haven't read that yet, but it sounds really good. I really should read it soon. IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Emma C | October 05, 2007 at 08:13 PM
A bear named Trouble is a book about a bear who gets use to people.The bear starts to feel safe around people.In the Seminole Beacon there was a story about a cat named Big Boy.Big Boy likes to be by people and he's not afraid. It's almost the same thing that happened to Trouble.
Posted by: M.M.R, Mrs.Lopez,3, Orange Grove Elementry | October 07, 2007 at 10:55 PM
I think this is just like the problem we have in Florida with us building where animals homes are. That is forcing animals and humans to interact just like in " A Bear Named Trouble".And just like in the book that can lead to problems.
Posted by: J.C., Mrs. Henderson's 5th Grade Class, Garrison-Jones Elem. | October 08, 2007 at 10:59 AM
As our community continues to grow natures shrinks. As we continue making developments some animals lose there homes. They are forced into are community. Like in the movie
"Hoot" where people are building a pancake house over burrowing owls homes. When animals get desperate for food we attract them with our waste that we leave out. Like in a bear named trouble.
Posted by: R.C. Mrs. Fry's 5th Grade Class, Garrison - Jones Elementary | October 08, 2007 at 11:07 AM
A bear named trouble is a that is very simaler to Hoot.Hoot is a book about owls that are about to be killed because people are trying to make a pankake house.A boy trys to show people that there are owls under them and the boy succeeds in stopping owls deaths.In a bear named trouble Jonathan saves troubl the bear from being killed by the killers and Jonathan's dad shoots him with a trankliser gun and trouble gets sended to a safe place.
Posted by: AR,Mrs.Fry fith grade class,garrison-jones el | October 08, 2007 at 11:08 AM
A Bear Named Trouble and wildlife are alike in some ways becaues bears in Alaska come into towns looking for food just like Trouble being attracked to theloaf of bread.They are also alike by bringing in reptiles from different places and let them loose in the Everglades.
Posted by: gl mrs.fry's 5 grade class garrison-jones elem. | October 08, 2007 at 11:09 AM
In this book a bear named Trouble goes into a town to find food. He ends up running into people and causeing trouble. This relates to real life because in Alaska Alasken bears and polor bears enter towns to find food. They cause trouble like Trouble. Sometimes there are so many bears that people can't leave there houses because it's to dangerous. This book also relates to real life because bears wonder from the forest into towns.
Posted by: TW,Mrs.Fry 5th grade class Garrison-Jones Elem. | October 08, 2007 at 11:09 AM
A bear named trouble is a that is very simaler to Hoot.Hoot is a book about owls that are about to be killed because people are trying to make a pankake house.A boy trys to show people that there are owls under them and the boy succeeds in stopping the owls deaths.In a bear named trouble Jonathan saves trouble the bear from being killed by the killers and Jonathan's dad shoots him with a trankliser gun and trouble gets sended to a safe place.
Posted by: AR,Mrs.Fry fith grade class,garrison-jones el | October 08, 2007 at 11:10 AM
When I was 8 I went to Alaska and theytold me that bears wandered into schools looking for food so this is like in a Bear Named Trouble.
Posted by: SB, Mrs. Henderson's 5th Grade Class, Garrison-Jones Elem | October 08, 2007 at 11:19 AM
This book is related to wild life by when mothers have bears go on there own and they might not know what to do for food so they go wondering into towns looking for food because people are building houses where the animals might of lived.
Posted by: C.J., Mrs. Henderson's 5th Grade Class, Garrison-Jones Elem. | October 08, 2007 at 11:19 AM
A Bear Named Trouble and wildlife are alike in some ways becaues bears in Alaska come into towns looking for food just like Trouble being attracked to theloaf of bread.They are also alike by bringing in reptiles from different places and let them loose in the Everglades.
Posted by: gl mrs.fry's 5 grade class garrison-jones elem. | October 08, 2007 at 11:22 AM
A Bear Named Trouble is a cool book.My favorite is when Jonathon is feeding Trouble bread.
Posted by: A.H/Ring5/Oldsmar | October 11, 2007 at 02:33 PM
a bear named trouble was a great story from Marion Dane Bauer. Though i liked runt alot better. bear named trouble was a great choice for battle of the books and just for a reading book. Keep on reading!!
Posted by: c.b. miss downes 4th grade class | October 11, 2007 at 03:34 PM
my friend read this book he said it was so so great!!!!! i have did not read th book yet but im looking forward too!!!!!!
Posted by: B.S Ms. Cerratos class | October 13, 2007 at 09:04 PM
It was a realy good book because Jonathan was real brave when he tried saving Trouble when the fish and game team was trying to shoot Trouble because Trouble hurt Mama goose.
Posted by: B.L/mrs. rings 5th/oldsmar | October 15, 2007 at 02:51 PM
it was a great book. a feel so sorry for the gose
Posted by: haley c. bay point ele | October 20, 2007 at 03:30 PM
my friend read this book he said it was very good i did not read it yet u but i am looking forward to!!!!!!
Posted by: b.s ms.cerrato class | October 22, 2007 at 12:26 PM
It's sad to me when trouble had to leave is mom and he never say her again. My favorite part was when at the end when trouble was happy and had a home!
Posted by: E.T.A. | October 22, 2007 at 12:27 PM
I read eight books and I read mostly everybody's comments anmd thougth that they were wounderful! I'm not a neard and I'm just kidding. A Bear named Trouble was about my second favorite book that I have read so far.
Posted by: E.T.A. from ms.cerratos class 5th rgade class in Maximo Elementary | October 22, 2007 at 12:36 PM
I am in the battle of the books , right now I am reading Fame And Glory in freedom , of Georgina by:Barbara Oconnor!nest I am planning on reading (A bear named Truoble)!Right now from what I heard its a realy good book and thats why I am reading it next!:)
Posted by: K.W. MsCeratos class 5th Grade | October 22, 2007 at 12:36 PM
I've just started reading the book.but my friend E.T.A says it's a great book and I really looking foward to finishing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: S.M. | October 30, 2007 at 07:14 PM
hi i am now reading it it is amazing
Posted by: s-a liela G davis 5 grade | November 04, 2007 at 06:11 PM
this book is a good book read it and talk about it cuz its a good book!
Posted by: C. C. | November 13, 2007 at 01:59 PM
I have only read a few chapters of this book but I'm already hooked. I can't believe that the boy loves the goose so much!!
Posted by: O.K St. Paul Catholic School Mrs. Engelke 5th Grade | December 18, 2007 at 11:18 AM
A bear named trouble was every intersting but it was very sad near the end.
Posted by: CM and BS, 5th grade, North Shore, McGee | January 07, 2008 at 01:32 PM
its good that trouble did not die
Posted by: joshua wassermann | January 25, 2008 at 01:26 PM
i have to admit this is a good book. its pretty confusing becaus it keeps switching point of views. overall its a good book.
Posted by: p.p. | January 30, 2008 at 09:10 AM
ASOME book man this is a great book.
Posted by: r.h | February 28, 2008 at 12:56 PM
rad book home dog
Posted by: raw kid fair mount | March 03, 2008 at 12:47 PM
this book in my personal opinion was really good. you could tell that marion dane baurer really tried to get the feeling in.i own this book but its not like my loads of other books.i read them once and then they stay on my shelf.this book will definitley be a reread. sometimes this book got a little confusing but its still works as a great battle book.if your just reading the blogs but you havent read this book yet then i reccomend you either go buy this book or check it out from a library right now!!!
Posted by: meagan | March 13, 2008 at 08:58 PM