Touching Spirit Bear
by Ben Mikaelsen
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ben MikaelsenEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-01-04
ISBN: 0060734000
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: HarperTeen
Book Reviews of Touching Spirit Bear
Book Review: A gripping story of survival and redemption
Summary: 5 Stars
Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear is the gripping tale of Cole Matthews, juvenile delinquent who's about to be sentenced to jail time for assaulting a fellow student. Tough-as-nails Cole feels like the world is out to get him and it's his right to smash senseless all who defy him; his alcoholic father beats him, and his alcoholic mother enables it by keeping silent. Cole blames everyone but himself for his anger.
Cole's Tlingit parole officer Garvey insists on trying an alternative to jail time called Circle Justice. This ancient healing ritual is based on the Native American / First Nations practice of having the accused perform a vision quest and community service in order to address the roots of his anger and to try and offset the harm he's caused. Cole puts on a show, hoping that the yearlong banishment on an Alaskan island offers the chance to escape.
Once on the remote Alaskan island, Cole lashes out and seeks escape, only to find himself stranded and angry. He runs into a large white bear: a Spirit Bear, an animal sacred to Native Americans. Cole is outraged that the bear doesn't fear him, and attempts to kill it with devastating consequences.
The remainder of Touching Spirit Bear chronicles Cole's rehabilitation from his injuries, along with his newfound empathy towards Peter, the student whom he assaulted. Peter is left with permanent brain damage and severe depression, and Cole thinks he knows a way to help him get over his fear and anger.
Touching Spirit Bear is at heart a story of wilderness survival, but it also teaches respect for one's ancestors and for nature. Cole learns to dance animal dances based on creatures he's observed in the wilderness; each improvised dance teaches him some strength of the animal. He soaks in a freezing pond to still his thoughts and carries a large stone up a hill, representing his ancestors, then rolls it down, releasing his anger. This might sound preachy and touchy-feely, but it works in the harsh context of the wilderness as Cole gradually learns to control his anger. The Tlingit (Garvey and Edwin) aren't represented as "perfect"; each is atoning for some crime committed in the past. Garvey in particular served five years in jail and wasn't offered the healing that Circle Justice provides.
The story does contain some graphic moments (the brutal beating of Peter, Cole's mauling), but uses violence sparingly. The powerful nature imagery really brought the story to life. This would be a good pick for those who enjoy wilderness survival tales such as Hatchet, Island of the Blue Dolphins or Julie of the Wolves (rack).
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