Ben Mikaelsen

Tree Girl is about the genocide of native Mayan's in Guatemala during the 1980's, told from the perspective of a teenage Mayan girl. Grabriela lives a secluded life in a small village, and though she is the only member of her family to attend school, she is pretty innocent of the world at large. Innocence, however, doesn't protect a person from the inexorable nature of human cruelty, and shortly after she celebrates her transcendence to womanhood she witnesses the atrocities of a war-torn show more country.

This is a pretty dark book, and Mikaelson doesn't pull his punches. It's made all the worse considering it's supposedly based on a true story. Even if it isn't, the war and the genocide were real, and we know many innocent people died decade after decade in that part of the world. Despite how depressing it is, I think it's important to subject yourself to things like this. Yes, it's horrible, but it's real, and turning a blind eye to it doesn't make it go away. show less

I loved this book! I saw on a review somewhere the question was posed, why do all bullies have to have near death experiences to reform? I thought it was a good question for reflection, and while I do not claim I have the answer, I think it might be that for whatever reason(s) a bully doesn't value the lives of others, their right to exist in peace and until they have come face to face with their own mortality it can be difficult to reform. And least part of what Mikaelsen explores in this show more book is reform - the notion of circle justice and the idea of healing instead of punishment. It is an interesting one, because we talk about rehabilitating people but the reality is that our prisons are more oriented toward punishment and not rehab. The Circle Justice used by some Native American tribes is at the heart of this book and it offers, in fictional form, interesting food for thought about justice and healing. But the book is more than bullies and hurt, healing and reform, it is filled with exquisite characters, a fascinating plot, and a sense of both adventure and discovery. There is ancient wisdom buried in the pages of this modern fictional work, and there are likely moments for each of us to connect with characters that occupy Mikaelsen's pages. show less

A very compelling read. A teenager facing jail time for assault on another boy is given the choice of spending a year on a remote Alaskan island by himself, his only visitors Indians from a local tribe, one of whom is his social worker. The story would be worthwhile on its own as a survival story, but it is Cole's battle with his own anger and his journey to forgiveness (of himself, and of important people in his life) that elevate this story above a simple adventure yarn. Anyone who has show more lived with anger could appreciate this story. show less

Cole Matthews has been fighting, stealing, and raising hell for years. He is on an inevitable path to prison, and in all likelihood a life of crime. Cole is a violent, out-of-control, angry teen committing first crimes against property and increasing to crimes of violence against people. Like the mindless, vicious attack on innocent bystander Peter Driscal. Peter’s beating has left him with permanent brain damage and profound psychological injuries.

Through the intervention of two show more community workers, who play a large role in Cole’s rehabilitation, Cole is offered the chance to participate in Circle Justice- a process of restitution based on Native American tradition. Circle Justice offers the chance for atonement for the perpetrator of the crime, the chance for restitution, and perhaps also for the victim and community's forgiveness. These concepts are in fact completely foreign to Cole, himself the victim of an unstable and violent home situation. Given a choice between prison and Native American Circle Justice, Cole chooses Circle Justice: He'll spend one year in complete isolation on a remote Alaskan island.

It is clear to the reader that his commitment to the program is surface only. His first act once left in solitary confinement on the remote island is one of vandalism to his shelter followed by a defeated attempt at escape. It is ultimately the intervention not by a person, but by a giant, powerful Spirit Bear that triggers the beginning of a change in Cole. This legendary and very real Spirit Bear responds to Cole's aggression toward him by mauling Cole and leaving him close to death. Through this near-death encounter Cole is humbled enough to start on a long and very painful journey of atonement, a Circle Justice journey, that eventually enables him to see himself no longer as the center, but as only a small part of a much larger and much richer whole.

Touching Spirit Bear is a heartfelt look at Cole’s journey from self-destruction to forgiveness. From his resistance to his acceptance. From blaming everyone else to taking responsibility for his actions. This is a poignant testimonial to the power of an emotional pain that can destroy or that can lead to healing. What I found fascinating is an alternative to incarceration. Mikaelsen gives us a wonderful glance into a Native American system that uses a potentially constructive alternative to conventional routes of punishment and retribution.

A compassionate YA novel that deals with some pretty powerful issues. I was impressed and pleasantly surprised. show less