Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

In his Nautilus Award-winning classic Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelson delivers a powerful 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, most importantly, from himself.

Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots of his anger without absolving 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.

A strong choice for independent reading, sharing in the classroom, homeschooling, and book groups.

Mikaelsen, Ben: - Ben Mikaelsen is the winner of the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writer's Golden Spur Award. His novels have been nominated for and have won many state Readers Choice awards. These novels include Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey, Touching Spirit Bear, Red Midnight, Tree Girl, and Ghost of Spirit Bear. Ben is known for his in-depth research and the magical worlds he creates. This research has taken him around the world, from the North Pole to Africa. He has over 1,000 parachute jumps, has boated the length of the Mississippi, cycled in nearly every state, lived with the homeless in Mexico, raced sled dogs, and ridden a horse from Minnesota to Oregon. Ben lives in a log cabin near Bozeman, Montana, with his wife, Connie. For 26 years he raised a 750-pound black bear, Buffy, that he saved from a research facility. Visit Ben online at www.benmikaelsen.com.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780439401845
ISBN 10	0439401844
Title	Touching Spirit Bear
Author	Ben Mikaelsen
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Harpertrophy
Year published	2002-01-01
Number of pages	241
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.