The Shadow of the Bear

New York City. A cry in the street outside begins a mysterious relationship between the Brier family--18-year-old Blanche, her younger sister Rose, and their mother Jean--and the street-wise but educated young man who calls himself Bear. After several months of regular visits, the girls still know little about him, except that there is a strong determination to right a past wrong. Slowly the girls are drawn into the mystery that surrounds their friend, until it overshadows their day-to-day problems of highschool and other relationships. As the action crescendos, Blanche and Rose are confronted with life-threatening dangers and must summon all their courage and faith.

 Violence

There are two fistfights, most of which are not described, and a young man is beaten for information. At one point, a villain places a plastic bag around a girl's face and is going to let her suffocate. Said villain then threatens someone with a gun.

Sexual Content

Rose goes to the prom with a guy named Rob, and he persuades her to come to an after-party at his house. People are there and she's trying to watch "Casablanca" but the music is too loud, so he offers to set it up in another room. It turns out that "another room" means a *bedroom.* Rose is uncomfortable with it, but sits on the end of the bed. Rob lies down and asks her lie down with him, she refuses, and he asks to kiss her. She escapes by pretending to have to go to the bathroom and climbing out the window. We later learn that Rob likes to find girls to see if he can 'score' with them. Someone says that Bear specializes in "Ladies of the night," and says that Blanche might not be as 'pure' as everyone thought. It's rubbish, and Rose says as much.

Other Negative Elements

Bear has been arrested for drug possession with intent to deliver. He hangs with other drug dealers. We later learn that he was framed. Teens (seniors) drink and smoke.

I love love love this book! It was amazing, and at the end, I felt so warm and fuzzy inside. *Sigh* It's amazing. I give it a PG for a mature situation (in which the heroine does the exact right thing) that is not explicit.