Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Bibliography
Mikaelsen, B. (2001). Touching spirit bear. New York: HarperCollins Children’s.

241 pages

Plot
Cole is a fifteen year old who wants to control everything and everyone in his life. In and out of the judicial system, Cole is capable of manipulating those who try to help him, despite the many references to this being his last chance. However, when Cole seriously beats up a fellow student, he is suddenly faced with the possibility of being tried as an adult. Nevertheless, Garvey, his parole officer, convinces Cole to put his fate into the hands of Circle Justice, a group which strives for healing both the offender and injured party. But when the Circle Justice decides to send Cole to an isolated island in Alaska, will he be able to survive?

Review
Touching Spirit Bear is an interesting novel about not only the judicial system, but also the healing process. Author Mikaelsen discusses his own viewpoints in the author’s note, regarding retribution and forgiveness in allowing criminals to be given a chance to heal. While Mikaelsen admits that the likelihood of Circle Justice promoting isolation for a year is unrealistic, the novel itself is very realistic in its portrayal of survival. Nevertheless, it is Cole’s change that really captures the audience. It is due to his experiences and revelations within his isolation that proves how this young man’s fate was redeemed. Mikaelsen does not steer away from hard truths, but rather presents them in such a way that offers readers a new way of understanding justice.

Genre
Survival Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level
Due to content, this book should appeal to older tweens in grades 6 – 8.

Similar Content
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Other works by Mickaelsen

Personal thoughts
Initially when I chose this book, I wanted to get an overall feel for survival literature (I also chose Hatchet and My Side of the Mountain). This book had an interesting take on the wilderness. It served not only as a means of harming but also healing. While the book comes off as a bit preachy, it was a very interesting read in terms of understanding the author’s beliefs on the judicial system as well as abuse.

Subjects/themes
Violence
Abuse
Isolation
Nature
Survival
Family Life
Justice
Forgiveness

Awards
NAPRA Nautilus Award Winner

Series information
Mikaelsen also wrote a sequel entitled Ghost of Spirit Bear.

Character names/descriptions
Cole: A 15 year-old who is in trouble with the law, and is sent to a remote island in Alaska.

Garvey: Parole officer for Cole. Helps him heal.

Edwin: Overseer of the island that Cole will be going to.

Peter Discal: Beaten up by Cole for telling on him. Peter is so injured by Cole that he faces permanent injury.

Annotation
Cole has gotten in trouble by the law once too often. For recompense he must survive the Alaskan wilderness for a year.