The Roguers have come to take Svenna's cubs, but she makes a deal instead. She agrees to go with them in their place since she can read and write. Her cubs are given to their cousin Taaka but they are not taken care of. She is mean to them and leaves them cold and hungry. They escape and set off to find their mother.
Fans of the other series by Lasky will also love the Bears of Ice. This title is recommended for grades 4-6. The author uses the fantasy element of personification to bring the reader into the world of the animals of the North. In this first book of the series, the author describes the harsh beautiful setting of the frozen north. She builds interesting and relatable characters that draw the reader into the story. ( )