Touching Spirit Bear

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 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. show more 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 lived with anger could appreciate this story.

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 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 show more 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

I read this book to my grade 6 Social Studies students every year, not because it's a great curriculum match (it's not, except in the most general way), but because if fills so many needs. My students are mostly quite sheltered and don't realize how fortunate they are. I use this book to open discussions about
-the difference between discipline and abuse
-what anger can do
-bullying
-forgiveness
and many more...
This book describes some aspects of contemporary First Nation spirituality that my students would never have access to. It doesn't gloss over issues but gets at the root of them instead.
The absolute best thing about this book is that it grabs my students' attention, especially the boys'. They beg me to tell them if Cole is going to show more make it... show less

Touching Spirit Bear is a powerful book about giving and receiving forgiveness. Ben Mikaelsen's ability to provide just the right amount of detail to make readers feel present in this story is noteworthy. Cole Matthews, an enraged teenager, finds himself sentenced to spend a year alone in Southeast Alaska as an alternative consequence for beating Peter Drechel senseless. There are rules he most obey and learn as laid out by the Circle Justice. When Cole decides to break these rules, he puts his life in danger. With a near death experience, Cole finds another chance to change- another chance to heal. The story is infused with many cultural beliefs and aspects practiced by Northwest Pacific Coast Native Americans. In the end, Cole's show more ability to move forward lies in having some sort of resolution with Peter, who in himself becomes in desperate need of releasing the pain, aggression and hate that was caused by Cole. Both Cole and Peter find some sort of spiritual healing, through the help of the Spirit Bear. This book will keep the attention of readers with its brass accounts of survival. Some events told are not for the weak in stomach, which makes the book more realistic. Touching Spirit Bear will evoke readers to think about their own journeys and choices, making this a great read aloud and literature circle choice for middle school readers.

Age Appropriate: 6th grade and up show less

This young-adult tale, of how juvenile offender Cole Matthews undergoes Native American "Circle Justice" rather than be incarcerated in the prison system, is engaging and valuable. When Cole brutally beats up another boy, he elects to spend a year in isolation on an Alaskan island instead of face jail time; he figures that he's getting an easy bargain, and can ditch the whole thing once left alone, but he gets more than he bargained for. The story of Cole's spiritual journey may at times seem especially pat and too fantastic, but the story does ultimately gel together and has some worthwhile things to say to young people about forgiveness and anger.

Fifteen year old Cole lives his life angry at everybody and everything. Things reach a crisis point when he beats up another boy so badly that he may never be the same again. But instead of feeling remorse and sorrow for Peter's injuries, he blames everybody else around him for his problems with anger. Cole is offered another chance in a special program started by Native Americans called Circle Justice. The Circle decides that Cole should go live in isolation on an island in southern Alaska for a year, which is a method long used by the Tlingit people to return offenders to the right path. Cole just wants to avoid a jail sentence, so he cons the Circle Justice people into believing that he really wants to change. How the island and the show more two special Tlingit men help Cole learn to choose happiness rather than anger is the crux of the story.

I was fascinated by this concept of Circle Justice, and by the Tlingit practice of isolating offenders on an island. It made me ponder our criminal system, especially as it pertains to juvenile violent offenders. I also thought the book was going to contain more spiritualism, but was pleasantly surprised that it did not. The Spirit Bear is a real bear, just called Spirit Bear because it is all white and thus looks somewhat ghostly. I really enjoyed the book, but I also found it a stretch in believability, especially when Peter, the boy that Cole beat up, comes to the island. I know, though, that this book will be one that I will be pondering for a while. show less