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The Wild World of Buck Bray #1
The Missing Grizzly Cubs
As the star of a new kid-oriented wilderness show, eleven-year-old Buck Bray travels to Denali National Park to shoot the first episode. It promises to be an exciting gig and he's happy to get to spend some time with his director father. Buck's annoyed when the cameraman's daughter, Toni, unexpectedly shows up. But the kids work together when they realize two grizzly bear cubs are missing and they set out to solve the mystery, which includes breaking up a criminal ring.
- GenresMysteryMiddle Grade
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
4 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Judy Young
105 books13 followers Judy Young is the author of 30 children's fiction, nonfiction and poetry books. Her books range for all ages of childrens, from board books, picture books as well as middle grade novels. Her books include the Digger and Daisy early reader series and The Wild World of Buck Bray middle grade novel series.
Judy's books have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award for "R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet" and LaVar Burton's reading of "A Pet for Miss Wright" for Reading Rainbow Video.
When not writing, Judy is usually outdoors—hiking, camping, fishing, and snowshoeing in the mountains of Idaho where she resides with her husband and three dogs.
Judy offers exciting virtual author visits for elementary and middle schools. For more info, visit her website.
Judy's books have received numerous awards and accolades, including the Mom's Choice Gold Award for "R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet" and LaVar Burton's reading of "A Pet for Miss Wright" for Reading Rainbow Video.
When not writing, Judy is usually outdoors—hiking, camping, fishing, and snowshoeing in the mountains of Idaho where she resides with her husband and three dogs.
Judy offers exciting virtual author visits for elementary and middle schools. For more info, visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 8, 2019
I was excited to read a kids' book set in Denali National Park—and Alaska in general. But…I wanted it to be realistic. And though the descriptions of the scenery and wildlife were cool, I almost think the unrealisticness did a disservice to Denali and nature in general. Examples [SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT]. The book opens with Buck getting charged by a moose. Okay, I can swallow that. But then they get to Denali National Park and three of the four main characters see bears almost immediately. Then, in the first half hour out of the car, the two kids witness a bear taking down a caribou! Yes, this happens sometimes. It rarely happens your first 30 minutes on foot in the park. The next day they see bears—I think twice—and once it's a fantastic close-up experience. Granted, the ranger IS guiding them by then, but still. They see more bears every day. They're hiking and a whole herd of caribou passes right around them. They see Dall's sheep as soon as they start looking. They see plenty of other wildlife. And it seems like the mountain is visible at least 3.5 of the first 5 days. [END SPOILERS]
I'm not an expert on Denali, but when we were there the mountain stayed hidden for all three days, and everyone said it was unusual to actually see it in your first few days. We saw a mama bear and her cubs from a distance, and lots of caribou from a distance, and a couple of small specks of sheep, and it was fantastic. But to cram all Buck's amazing experiences together in just a few days…at best it's unrealistic. At worst it will set people's expectations so high they won't be happy with what they DO see.
Other elements that were unrealistic: the coincidence of three sets of main characters seeing each other at the airport before their adventure begins. I think this was the Anchorage airport, but it may have been Fairbanks. Either way, what are the chances they'd all come in at the same time and notice each other? And that most of the key players would camp at the same campground? And the compass course? It seemed like they didn't get much actual instruction at all, and then they went on a "compass course" with only one point? Maybe I misunderstood, but this does not make you an expert. Yet, after that, Toni and Buck seemed pretty skilled, both with topo maps and compasses. And speaking of Toni and Buck…some of their dialogue didn't really ring true to what kids would say off the cuff. Okay, sorry. It was just all so unrealistic it frustrated me.
The mystery was okay.
The writing was generally pretty smooth.
The behind-the-scenes stuff about shooting a TV show was cool.
I did really like the descriptions of Denali when they weren't being unrealistic. It brought back happy memories.
I think people who aren't so concerned with reality will like it more than I did.
I'm not an expert on Denali, but when we were there the mountain stayed hidden for all three days, and everyone said it was unusual to actually see it in your first few days. We saw a mama bear and her cubs from a distance, and lots of caribou from a distance, and a couple of small specks of sheep, and it was fantastic. But to cram all Buck's amazing experiences together in just a few days…at best it's unrealistic. At worst it will set people's expectations so high they won't be happy with what they DO see.
Other elements that were unrealistic: the coincidence of three sets of main characters seeing each other at the airport before their adventure begins. I think this was the Anchorage airport, but it may have been Fairbanks. Either way, what are the chances they'd all come in at the same time and notice each other? And that most of the key players would camp at the same campground? And the compass course? It seemed like they didn't get much actual instruction at all, and then they went on a "compass course" with only one point? Maybe I misunderstood, but this does not make you an expert. Yet, after that, Toni and Buck seemed pretty skilled, both with topo maps and compasses. And speaking of Toni and Buck…some of their dialogue didn't really ring true to what kids would say off the cuff. Okay, sorry. It was just all so unrealistic it frustrated me.
The mystery was okay.
The writing was generally pretty smooth.
The behind-the-scenes stuff about shooting a TV show was cool.
I did really like the descriptions of Denali when they weren't being unrealistic. It brought back happy memories.
I think people who aren't so concerned with reality will like it more than I did.
November 7, 2017
A fun story, but I have to wonder if the author has ever really listened to or watched how kids interact because I found myself rolling my eyes when Buck and Toni interacted with one another, especially at the beginning.
August 20, 2017
Since he rarely gets to spend time with his director father, eleven-year-old Buck Bray is thrilled to be a part of his latest project--a wilderness featuring a youngster, Buck. The first episode features Denali National Park in Alaska, and Buck is awed by the majestic landscape and all the wild animals that live in the park. Although he is unhappy to be forced to spend time with Toni, the cameraman's daughter, she turns out to be pretty cool. When two grizzly cubs disappear, Buck and Toni use their wits and their observation skills to figure out who's responsible. Readers will enjoy some of the twists and turns in this wilderness detective story with two very likeable youngsters at its center. The fact that they are learning something about nature and the amazing natural world around us through the eyes of an imperfect protagonist who sometimes disregards the rules and gets himself in trouble as a result makes this book accessible and relatable. Plus, the author provides just enough detail about how television programs are shot and put together to make this series stand due to its uniqueness in setting and focus. This really would be a nifty idea for a reality show or documentary, and a deep appreciation for Alaska's charms is evident in its pages.
November 27, 2017
A 2018-2019 Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award preliminary nominee (grades 4-6).
Buck Bray is tired of his TV director dad always being gone, so he pitches a nature show starring himself and it is accepted. They head to Denali National Park to begin shooting along with his dad's trusted cameraman Shoop and his daughter Toni. One of the highlights of their stay at Denali is a mother grizzly and her two cubs until the cubs disappear one night.
This was good, but pretty predictable. I liked Toni and the setting and would consider reading a second installment.
Buck Bray is tired of his TV director dad always being gone, so he pitches a nature show starring himself and it is accepted. They head to Denali National Park to begin shooting along with his dad's trusted cameraman Shoop and his daughter Toni. One of the highlights of their stay at Denali is a mother grizzly and her two cubs until the cubs disappear one night.
This was good, but pretty predictable. I liked Toni and the setting and would consider reading a second installment.
September 21, 2018
This book offers the reader an armchair travel to Denali in nice detail and with lots of facts about wildlife. The characters need more development. The resolution and explanation of the missing cubs was very unsatisfying to me.
May 6, 2022
Very cute - my mystery loving kids loved it. We won’t be visiting Denali, but we are reading this series in preparation to travel to many National Parks this summer. It definitely got us excited to see wildlife!
August 10, 2017
Great setting in Denali Park. Buck wasn't very smart, but I really liked Toni.
November 25, 2017
Great adventure story for kids!
January 18, 2018
This is a perfect book for nature lovers, adventure seekers and defenders of wildlife. Thank you Judy Young for capturing the beauty of Denali.
March 15, 2018
Battle of the books
April 14, 2018
Adventure in Denali National Park in Alaska with fun bear facts. The two main characters (kids) don't always do the right thing, while having the right motives.
March 28, 2020
Great book for kids. It gives a lot of background information about filming and Denali National Park. Lots of adventures and quite tens towards the end.
April 1, 2020
Super fun book for the younger reader that wants adventure and excitement. Not a realistic story line- but a ton of great information about Denali, the animals, and the habitat.
May 25, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It’s for kids and is a cute story. I love the National Parks and wildlife and the combination is what drew me to the book.
April 15, 2017
Young, Judy The Missing Grizzly Cubs (The Wild World of Buck Bray #1), 227 pages. Sleeping Bear Press, 2016. $10. Content: G (some danger).
Buck’s dad has made his living traveling the world and filming documentaries in exotic places. Now the two are collaborating on a series starring Buck, focusing on America’s wild places and parks. Their first effort will take place in Denali National Park in Alaska. If the scenery and wildlife aren’t dangerous enough, two bear cubs have gone missing. Buck and Toni, the cameraman’s daughter, may have all the clues needed to crack the case.
I will happily follow Buck and his crew all over the U.S. and enjoy this series. I loved seeing the other side of the reality T.V. biz, as I am always curious about the life of a cameraperson on shows like Survivor and the Amazing Race. Reminiscent of Skurzynzki’s Mysteries in Our National Parks series, but for a younger audience.
EL - ESSENTIAL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Buck’s dad has made his living traveling the world and filming documentaries in exotic places. Now the two are collaborating on a series starring Buck, focusing on America’s wild places and parks. Their first effort will take place in Denali National Park in Alaska. If the scenery and wildlife aren’t dangerous enough, two bear cubs have gone missing. Buck and Toni, the cameraman’s daughter, may have all the clues needed to crack the case.
I will happily follow Buck and his crew all over the U.S. and enjoy this series. I loved seeing the other side of the reality T.V. biz, as I am always curious about the life of a cameraperson on shows like Survivor and the Amazing Race. Reminiscent of Skurzynzki’s Mysteries in Our National Parks series, but for a younger audience.
EL - ESSENTIAL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews