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Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Bogie & Bemis by Bryn Roar is a middle-grade novel that artfully blends magical realism with heartfelt storytelling. Set across contrasting landscapes—Appalachian Maine and gritty New York City—the book tells the story of Humphrey “Bogie” Balsam, a towering, gentle young man emotionally frozen in childhood, and his worn but wise totem bear, Mr. Bemis. Their bond transcends the physical, providing Bogie with comfort, humor, and unexpected strength during their shared journey of loss, identity, and survival. The novel opens with a rich backstory of the Balsam family, whose legacy is steeped in tradition, generosity, and an almost mythic presence in their hometown. A tragic Thanksgiving accident leaves Bogie orphaned, and the story leaps ahead to follow him and Mr. Bemis in New York City, navigating poverty and prejudice. Though largely voiced through Bogie’s ventriloquism, Mr. Bemis becomes the voice of Bogie’s suppressed confidence and inner wisdom.
Bryn Roar’s prose is poetic, blending folklore and realism. The voice of Sunny Redleaf, a Mi’kmaq seer who foresaw the Balsam family’s tragedy, bookends the story with a sense of destiny, creating an almost mythological frame. Themes of family, acceptance, disability, and the unseen bonds that guide us run through every chapter, supported by quirky humor and vivid descriptions. Despite the trauma that shadows Bogie’s past, the book is ultimately hopeful, offering readers a tender message about the power of chosen family and the courage to be oneself. Bogie & Bemis shares several thematic and emotional parallels with John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men; however, it is told in a more whimsical and magical realism style, making it appropriate for younger readers who want to explore themes of outsider status and imaginative storytelling.
