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.

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

Author: Ben Mikaelsen
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 01/09/2001
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780380977444
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.3
Point Value: 9
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 45132 / Touching Spirit Bear


Award: Spur Awards - Finalist
Award: Nevada Young Readers' Award - Winner
Award: Sunshine State Young Reader's Award - Winner
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee
Award: Charlotte Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Winner
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Nautilus Award - Winner
Award: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee
Award: Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Archer Award - Winner
Award: Sequoyah Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Winner
Award: Flicker Tale Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award - Winner
Award: Evergreen Young Adult Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 01/01/2001 pg. 54
Booklist 01/01/2001 pg. 940
School Library Journal 02/01/2001 pg. 122
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2001 pg. 324 - Marginal, Seriously Flawed
ALA Best Books Young Adults 03/15/2002 pg. 1228
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2001 pg. 324 - Marginal, Seriously Flawed

About the Author
Mikaelsen, Ben: -

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.