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Powell's Q&A, Q&A | June 29, 2009

Janna Cawrse Esarey: IMG Powell's Q&A: Janna Cawrse Esarey

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"I fell in love with Crosby, Stills, and Nash's song 'Southern Cross' when I was fifteen. By the time I got to college, 'I'm going to sail around the world someday' was sort of my pickup line." Continue »
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Touching Spirit Bear

by Ben Mikaelsen

Touching Spirit Bear Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Within Cole Matthews lie anger, rage and hate. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. This time he caught Alex Driscal in the, parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Now, Alex may have permanent brain damage'and Cole is in the Biggest trouble of his life.

Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the criminal offender, the victim and the, community. With prison as his only alternative, Cole plays along. He says he wants to repent, but in his heart Cole blames his alcoholic mom his, abusive dad, wimpy Alex — everyone but himself — for his situation.

Cole receives a one-year banishment to a remote Alaskan island. There, he is mauled by Mysterious white bear of Native American legend. Hideously injured, Cole waits for his death His thoughts shift from from Anger to humility. To survive, he must stop blaming others and take responsibility for his life. Rescuers arrive to save Cole's but it is the attack of the Spirit Bear that may save his soul.

Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots without absolving solving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing

Review:

"Mikaelsen paints a realistic portrait of an unlikable young punk." Kirkus Reviews

Review:

"Mikaelsen's portrayal of this angry, manipulative, damaged teen is dead on." School Library Journal (starred review)

Review:

"[Cole's story] will fascinate young and old, and have everyone waiting for the sequel." Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Synopsis:

Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. Remember that.

Ben Mikaelsen's provocative portrait of Cole, an angry teen who chooses banishment to a remote Alaskan island over detention as punishment for a brutal attack, has captivated reviewers and readers. A BookSense 76 pick in hardcover and a nominee for multiple state young reader awards, Touching Spirit Bear examines the alternative Native American Circle Justice against a backdrop of high action.

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About the Author

Ben Mikaelsen has won the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writers Golden Spur Award. His novels have won critical acclaim, as well as several state reader's choice awards. These novels include Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey and Touching Spirit Bear Ben's articles and photos appear in numerous magazines around the world. Ben and his wife, Melanie, live in a log cabin near Bozeman, Montana, with a 700-pound black bear they have adopted and raised.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 6 comments:
Mat, April 7, 2009 (view all comments by Mat)
I just finished teaching this book in my 9th Grade English class in a low income junior high school. The kids really liked the book a lot. The reading level worked out well; most students had no problem reading it, but it still kept the interest of the higher level students. There are a lot of great lessons for 9th grade students in this book like not being controlled by outside forces, and caring for other individuals. I think many of my students identified with the main character who is labelled as a "juvenile delinquent." The only thing the students didn't really like was the ending. (When we were graphing the plot, many said the climax was when the main character, Cole, gets mauled by a bear. This occurs very early in the story.) Overall, it is a great book for students. I'd teach it again.
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patrick6, January 3, 2009 (view all comments by patrick6)
well i would like to say that the reviewer got mixed up in the character who got beat up, his name is peter driscal not alex an i loved this book it was amazing ^=^ cant wait to read the others!!
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kumar_angeli, June 14, 2008 (view all comments by kumar_angeli)
Very amazing ! I learned so much from this one book.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780380805600
Author:
Mikaelson, Ben
Publisher:
HarperCollins
Author:
by Ben Mikaelsen
Location:
New York
Subject:
Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General
Subject:
Indians of north america
Subject:
Ethnic - Native American
Subject:
Social Situations - General
Subject:
Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings
Subject:
Animals - Bears
Subject:
Social Situations - Violence
Subject:
Forgiveness
Subject:
Child abuse
Subject:
Anger
Subject:
Juvenile delinquents
Subject:
Tlingit Indians
Subject:
People & Places - United States - Native American
Subject:
Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings
Subject:
Social Issues - Violence
Subject:
Indians of North America -- Alaska.
Edition Description:
1st Harper Trophy ed.
Series Volume:
no. 431-S
Publication Date:
May 2002
Binding:
Paperback
Grade Level:
- Up
Language:
English
Pages:
256
Dimensions:
7.61x5.19x.59 in. .38 lbs.
Age Level:
09-12
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