Easy Summary- The Last Polar Bear Trail

This book is about Erik Larsen, who is thirteen years old, and his scientist mother, Dr. Ingrid Larsen. They go to Aurora Station in the Arctic. Erik first thinks the Arctic will be cold, empty, and dull. But when he gets there, he sees a beautiful world with mountains, snow, ice, animals, and weather that changes all the time.
Erik soon sees a young polar bear moving across the sea ice by itself. He calls her Nanu. The ice has broken, so it looks like she is no longer with her mother. Erik feels bad for Nanu and wants to feed her and help her. That being said, the experts say that polar bears are wild animals. Bears may become dependent on people if they are fed, which could put people and bears in danger.
Erik learns more about the Arctic as he talks to Nanu. He finds out that sea ice is important for polar bears to hunt seals and get around. Some Arctic ice is getting thinner, which means it melts or breaks faster because of climate change.
Four researchers got lost away from Aurora Station during a dangerous storm. Erik remembers seeing Nanu's tracks next to a safe hill. Scientists can use what he saw to figure out that the ridge might be a place to get out of the wind. The researchers are later found safe and sound in an emergency shelter.
Erik learns that Nanu doesn't have to be his pet or depend on him by the end of his visit. She needs a safe place to live in the Arctic where she can be herself.
Erik learns an important lesson on the way back home: liking animals doesn't mean you have to own or control them. Give wild animals space, protect their home, take care of the environment, and make sure they always have a safe way to get home. This is sometimes the best way to show friendship.

THE END