These second and third series entries continue the adventures of four young bears on a quest to save the wild. In Lake the four face conflicts among different groups of bears. The less-cohesive Mountain may leave readers wondering where the series is headed. Regardless, fans will enjoy the mix of fantasy adventure and realistic descriptions of animal behavior in both books.

At the height of ôburnskyö (summer), four cubs leave the gathering of bears described in Great Bear Lake (HarperCollins, 2009/VOYA April 2009) to resume their search for the Last Great Wilderness, where animals can live in peace. Following directions from a dying polar bear, they seek a path through the volcanic Smoke Mountains. Along the way, they must cross a swift river, dodge ôfirebeastsö (machines), and flee from hunters. Everywhere are increasing signs of human presence and environmental degradation. Black bear Lusa and shape-changer Ujurak each dream of a voice that whispers, ôSave the wild.ö But how can a small bear accomplish such a huge task? Arriving at last at their goal, the bears are dismayed to learn that the Last Great Wilderness is not the end of their quest after all. The bears grow and change as the Seekers series continues. Prickly brown bear Toklo and loner Kallik, a polar bear, gradually learn to trust their companions; Lusa grows in confidence and compassion; and Ujurak gains increasing control over his transformations into other animals. The resourceful cubs are given ample opportunity to prove their bravery as they face one danger after another. Despite the excitement, there is no real climax to this volume, which serves mainly to move the bears to the next stage of their quest. The environmental message threatens to overwhelm the story. Nevertheless HunterÆs fans will clamor for this book. The publishers have not announced the final number of volumes that are planned for the series.ùKathleen Beck.