A retelling of the Grimm fairy tale in which a despondent soldier makes a pact to do the devil's bidding for seven years in return for as much money and property as he could ever want.

"Schlitz narrates with clarity, grace, and sensitivity. . . . A provocative edition that should set older children thinking about the meaning of endurance and heroism." -- Horn Book (starred review) Man or bear? When a person gives up hope, is he still human? Such is the story of a soldier who has lost everything to war: his childhood home, his family and friends, his youth, and his innocence. Enter that sly opportunist, the devil, who wraps the soldier in the armor of a dead bear's skin, fills its pockets with gold, and makes a dangerous and horrible wager. An unforgettable retelling of a classic Grimm tale, The Bearskinner is a story about the struggle between the two sides of our selves, and the heroic strength it takes to claim a victory.

Man or bear? When a person gives up hope, is he still human? Such is the story of a soldier who has lost everything to war: his childhood home, his family and friends, his youth, and his innocence. Enter that sly opportunist, the devil, who wraps the soldier in the armor of a dead bears skin, fills its pockets with gold, and makes a dangerous and horrible wager. An unforgettable retelling of a classic Grimm tale, THE BEARSKINNER is a story about the struggle between the two sides of our selves, and the heroic strength it takes to claim a victory.

Losing everything he has to war, a dejected soldier makes a dangerous pact with the devil, who wraps the soldier in a dead bears skin he must wear. This retelling of the classic Grimm tale is vividly illustrated, depicting the soldiers struggle between the two sides himself. Full color. 9 3/4 11 5/16.