The Bears Upstairs

by Dorothy Haas

A young girl helps two bears rendezvous with the inhabitants of the planet Brun.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

185 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 1979

About the author

Haas is an editor and writer who grew up in Wisconsin, one of five children, and graduated from Marquette University. She currently lives in Chicago.

Reviews

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the time-honored genre of latchkey kid involved with mysterious neighbors... this story of befriending talking bears who come to stay at the apartment of neighboring naturalist, while they wait to be rescued, appeals to the 'just a little heroics' in me-- the idea that a little kindness, and a little domestic disobedience, can make a big difference in someone else's life. I read this as a child, and after re-reading my copy, still like it enough not to get rid of it. The Bears, refugees from the destruction of nature, are charming, as is their child helper. I would love to meet such bears!

[Elisabeth Petty]

I was sick this past weekend and didn't feel like reading the book I had checked out from the library because I wanted something lighter. I looked on our bookcase and saw this book that I didn't recognize. My husband said it was his from when he was little. He didn't really remember the story, but he did remember liking it when he was little. It's about a girl who helps two bears escape the notice of the other humans in the apartment building while waiting for bears from the planet Brun to came save them. Silly premise, but it's a fun read for a kid to imagine having bears for friends.

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting older title about a young girl who befriends two bears that move into her apartment building. The bears are waiting on "the others" to take them away where they can be free from the men hunting them who want to put them in a zoo.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

At this point in my life, I was still thoroughly confused by the concept of fantasy novels. TALKING BEARS AND THEY DIDN'T LIVE IN A MAKE-BELIEVE WORLD?! IMPOSSIBLE!!