The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm

Name: The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm
Author: Laura Amy Schlitz
ISBN: 0763627305

Safe for the age band

Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.

ISBN: 0763627305
Ages: 10–18

AI summary

A soldier who has lost everything in war makes a dangerous wager with the devil: he must wear a bearskin and not wash, groom, or pray for seven years in exchange for unlimited wealth and his freedom. As he descends into physical filth and social isolation, he finds redemption by giving his money to the poor and asking for their prayers, eventually finding a woman who loves him for his soul rather than his appearance.

Parent notes

While the story features the devil as a tempter, it is a traditional moral fable that emphasizes the victory of hope, charity, and prayer over despair. Parent concerns: Occult/Demonic themes (pact with the devil); Visceral descriptions of filth (maggots, lice, scabs); War-related PTSD themes Romance/sexual content: No sexual content. The story involves a traditional fairy tale marriage proposal based on character and loyalty. Language: No profanity reported in this adaptation. Violence: References to the soldier losing his home to war; visceral descriptions of the soldier's physical decay (maggots and lice) while wearing the bearskin. This version removes the suicides found in the original Grimm ending. Substances: None. Worldview themes: Traditional Morality, Christian Symbolism (the devil as a tempter), Inner Beauty vs. Outer Appearance

Why parents choose this book

What makes The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 10–18 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
Kids who tend to love it: readers ages 10–18 looking for a solid story.
Personality fit: kids ages 10–18 who enjoy a good story.

Parents love this book because

Age-appropriate content for the 10–18 band with no significant flags.
Written by Laura Amy Schlitz, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm if they…

Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 10–18

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 10–18 age band.

Things parents should know

Violence: cartoonish or off-page action.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

Varies by reader

Length

Length varies by edition

Difficulty

Young adult

Works as read-aloud

Usually read independently

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

Why we recommend it

We think The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm is a confident pick for the 10–18 age band. Laura Amy Schlitz's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.