Touching Spirit Bear Contributor(s): Mikaelsen, Ben (Author) |
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ISBN: 038080560X ISBN-13: 9780380805600 Publisher: HarperCollins OUR PRICE: $8.99 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2002 Annotation: 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 as it examines the alternative Native American Circle Justice. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Young Adult Fiction | Social Themes - Physical & Emotional Abuse (see Also Social Themes - Sexual |
Dewey: FIC |
LCCN: 0040702 |
Lexile Measure: 730 |
Series: Spirit Bear |
Physical Information: 0.7" H x 5.1" W x 7.5" (0.35 lbs) 256 pages |
Themes: - Ethnic Orientation - Native American - Geographic Orientation - Alaska |
Accelerated Reader Info |
Quiz #: 45132 Reading Level: 5.3 Interest Level: Middle Grades Point Value: 9.0 |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: 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. |
Contributor Bio(s): 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. |