touchingspiritbear

Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen ISBN: 0-380-97744-3 c2001 240 pages R.L. 5.3 Points- 9

Good sections to read aloud: pp. 7-9 where Cole beats Peter up and then is angry when his parents don’t free him from “jail” pp. 65-73 (chapter 8) where Cole tries to attack the bear, but is attacked himself

Summary: Cole is a very angry, violent boy. After he beats a boy up to the point that the boy may suffer permanent brain damage, he has the choice to either go to prison or participate in something called Native American Circle Justice. He decides to do the later and is brought to a remote Alaskan island. He has no cares in the world and still thinks he is the toughest person alive until he encounters a bear and is close to death.

YA Fiction--survival/adventure; juvenile delinquents; rehabilitation; anger; forgiveness; child abuse; Tlingit Indians; Indians of North America; Alaska

©Jennifer Lang - 2003 - WDMS