Synopses & Reviews
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
“An excellent companion to Gary Paulsens Hatchet and Allan Eckerts Incident at Hawks Hill.” ALA Booklist
Review
"[Cole's] solitary life on the island is just the ticket for Paulsen fans, who will appreciate the survival story." The Bulletin
Review
“Mikaelsen paints a realistic portrait of an unlikable young punk.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“[Coles story] will fascinate young and old, and have everyone waiting for the sequel.” Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
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“Mikaelsens portrayal of this angry, manipulative, damaged teen is dead on.” School Library Journal (starred review)
Synopsis
In his Napra Nautilus Award-winning novel Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelson delivers a poignant coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life.
After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go.
While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption--from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and from himself.
Synopsis
Within Cole Matthews lie anger, rage, and hate. Cole has been stealing, fighting, and lying for years. His attack on a classmate have left the boy with permanent physical and deep psychological damage and Cole in the biggest trouble of his life. To most, Cole seems beyond hope. But when he's offered a chance at an alternative path called Circle Justice, based on native American tradition, Cole finds himself banished to a remote Alaskan Island, where his rage and isolation lead him to another brazen attack. This time, his intended victim is the Spirit Bear of native American legend -- and the clumsy assault ends with Cole mauled nearly to death, desperately clinging to the life he had tried so hard to waste. Rescuers arrive to save Cole's life, but it is the attack of the Spirit Bear that begins Cole's long journey to accepting responsibility for his life and saving his soul. This gripping, graphic survival story from an award-winning writer paints an unsparing picture of one violent teen and offers a poignant testimony to the power of pain that can destroy and may also heal.
Synopsis
Sent to a remote Alaskan island as part of an alternative program after attacking a classmate, Cole Matthews has a chance to straighten out his life. On this island, Cole's rage and isolation lead him to a brazen attack on the Spirit Bear of Native American legend, and the clumsy assault ends with Cole mauled nearly to death, desperately clinging to the life he had tried so hard to waste.
Synopsis
After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, troublemaker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given an alternative: a one-year banishment to a remote Alaskan island. This program—called Circle Justice—is based on Native American traditions that provide healing for the criminal mind. To avoid serious jail time, Cole resolves to go. While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his violent anger cause him to examine the root of his troubled ways.
Author Ben Mikaelson delivers a poignant depiction of the vicious cycle of violence and one boy's journey to healing.
Supports the Common Core State Standards
About the Author
Ben Mikaelsen is the winner of the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writers of America Spur Award. His novels have been nominated for and won many state reader's choice awards. These novels include Red Midnight, Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey, and Tree Girl. Ben's articles and photos appear in numerous magazines around the world. Ben lives near Bozeman, Montana, with his 700-pound black bear, Buffy.