Reviews

⭐ Shelf Awareness

"A Constellation of Minor Bears by Jen Ferguson (Those Pink Mountain Nights) poetically portrays the messiness and exhilaration of love (of all kinds) against the backdrop of the PCT's breathtaking vistas. The teens' tender hearts are revealed through a lyrical, multi-POV narrative that dips seamlessly into spectacularly funny moments. Tray, to whom it's "important not to pass as a settler," stunningly connects their adventure to Indigenous star stories, to song, to the land. Ferguson roots her novel in current teen struggles, deftly including parental pressure and a fat-positive mindset. A striking story in which accountability coexists with love, and growth is as important as forgiveness."

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⭐ Quill and Quire

"In this expansive novel, Ferguson explores a well of subjects: disability and post-concussion syndrome; fat-phobia and fat-abuse; and anti-Indigenous racism. While not all of the storylines are necessarily resolved by the end, this bears little impact as Ferguson’s novel is beautifully written, at once lyrical, visceral, and romantic. An emotional journey not to be missed, with characters not soon forgotten, A Constellation of Minor Bears is a deeply reflective and fierce story from beginning to end.."

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Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (recommended)

"Molly, Hank, and Traylor were an inseparable trio until Hank fell at the climbing gym, leaving him in a coma for weeks and resulting in brain fog, memory loss, and mobility issues. Molly blames Traylor for her brother’s accident since he was meant to be spotting Hank at the time, but neither these new tensions nor Hank’s post-concussive syndrome will stop the group from following through their post-graduation summer plans of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, though Hank only joins mid-trip. Together now on the trail, the trio are forced to have conversations they’ve been tiptoeing around for months in the case of Hank’s accident, and for years regarding Traylor’s long-time crush on Molly. The story is at its best during discussions of relationship dynamics within the group as they negotiate their pent-up and changing feelings, which overflow with an intensity that is made more chaotic by their forced proximity on the trail. Rotating through Molly, Hank, and Traylor’s points of view provides better access to the friendship and family dynamics as they evolve throughout the story, and the people the trio meet along their journey further complicate the inner workings of the group. Largely character-driven, the story offers authentic depictions of the difficulties of burgeoning adulthood and the thorny interactions that come along with changing personalities and feelings toward one another—in matters of friendship, romance, and altered sibling dynamics alike. Conversations around love and intersectional analysis of Indigeneity, fatness, disability, queerness, blended families, and human interactions with nature are sure to pique the interest of readers also exploring the many facets of what makes them whole. Includes author’s note."

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School Library Journal

"Gr 9 Up–In this coming-of-age story, a group of teens find themselves as they hike the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Half-siblings Molly and Hank and their friend Traylor have been planning their graduation trip for years now. They were going to hike the PCT before they all went to college, but Hank has a life-changing accident which irrevocably breaks the bonds of the group. When they decide to go on the hike anyway, truths are finally brought to the surface, but is it enough to save the relationships? The beauty in this book is in the characters and the problems they face. Molly’s anger toward her brother and best friend, Hank’s inability to be truthful to his sister, and Traylor’s guilt over what happened to Hank and his unspoken feelings about Molly are just a touch of what lies ahead for the teens. But there is nothing like miles of walking to bring everything to the surface. With the PCT as the backdrop, and almost a character itself, readers will want to go on their own adventure. No matter who reads this book, they will find something in each character that will ring true. VERDICT A must-buy for YA collections."

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Publisher's Weekly

"Everything for white and Métis 17-year-old Molly Norris-Norquay changes when her older half brother Hank, who is white, falls in a climbing accident that puts him in a coma. When he awakens after three weeks, Molly learns that he’s sustained a traumatic brain injury that will affect every part of his life, including his personality and their future plans. It also delays his graduation. Hank chooses not to attend the celebratory trip hiking the Pacific Crest Trail that he, Molly, and their mutual best friend, Métis 18-year-old Traylor, put together. Traveling without Hank, tensions rise between Tray and Molly, who blames Tray for the accident, as he was the one who unknowingly gave Hank faulty equipment. The hike was meant to kick off the trio’s long-awaited future, but between navigating new friendships, surprise visitors, and emotional revelations, it’s clear that this trip will catalyze even more drastic changes for Molly and Tray. With a rhythm and tone that reads like poetry, Ferguson (Those Pink Mountain Nights) delivers an emotionally resonant tale in which profound interpersonal conflict unfolds against the lushly described natural backdrop of an adrenaline-inducing outdoor environment. Ages 13–up. (Sept.)"​

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Booklist

"Using three points of view, Ferguson adeptly creates deep, rounded characters who, while having distinct voices, are all equal parts mischievous and reflective. Molly and Hank exhibit a truly well-crafted sibling relationship that flips on its head after Hank’s accident. A great read for all teenagers, and especially those who've graduated and are wondering what comes
next."​

The Horn Book

"Ferguson has again created well-characterized teenage protagonists grappling with difficult issues. An engrossing, introspective tale of a trek and of teen relationships."​

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