Touching Spirit Bear

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.

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.

Report

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

Product details

• Authors: Ben Mikaelsen, Mikaelsen Ben
• Publisher: Harper Collins Usa
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 8 to 12
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.04.2002
• EAN: 9780380805600
• ISBN: 978-0-380-80560-0
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 132 mm x 194 mm x 15 mm
• Series: Spirit Bear; Spirit Bear
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books > Children's books up to 11 years of age; Fiction > Narrative literature; Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: School stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Nature and animal stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Wildlife and habitats, Interest age: from c 12 years, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Bears, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Large land mammals, JUVENILE FICTION: School & Education, JUVENILE FICTION: Animals / Bears, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Violence, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary, YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science & Nature / General