The Bears on Hemlock Mountain

Eight-year-old Jonathan lives at the foot of a wild hill, which everyone calls a “mountain,” or Hemlock Mountain. Jonathan loves animals, and he feeds the wild birds and rabbits since they have little to eat in the cold early spring. Jonathan lives in a stone farmhouse where he and his parents often host his aunts, uncles, and cousins for beautiful feasts by the fireplace. Jonathan’s mother is an excellent cook, and they have plenty of food, but she sometimes wishes that she did not have so many mouths to feed.

Jonathan loves his extended family and has many uncles and aunties, but he is particularly close to Young Uncle James, who is only 14. James is observant and often points out animals to Jonathan, such as sparrows and raccoons. Because Jonathan and James are observant and gentle, the animals become comfortable around them. Jonathan asks James if he has ever seen a bear, and James replies that he has, a long time ago, before Jonathan was born.