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Touching Spirit Bear

By Ben Mikaelsen
Series: Spirit Bear
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Touching Spirit Bear, Cole Matthews faces serious consequences after violently injuring a classmate. Instead of prison, he is sent to a remote Alaskan island through a unique Circle Justice programme designed to foster change through reflection and healing. After a brutal attack by a mysterious white bear, Cole must confront his past, his anger, and seek redemption in an emotionally charged coming-of-age tale by Ben Mikaelsen.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3700

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel is well suited for young readers, especially those interested in thoughtful, gritty coming-of-age stories and survival narratives. Fans of authors like Gary Paulsen will find it particularly engaging.

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After his anger erupts into violence, Cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the Native American Circle Justice, and he is sent to a remote Alaskan Island where an encounter with a huge Spirit Bear changes his life.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In his Napra Nautilus Award-winning novel Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelsen delivers a poignant coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life.

After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative programme that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go.

While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemptionβ€”from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and from himself.

Series: Spirit Bear

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  • Touching Spirit Bear
    Touching Spirit Bear
    In his Napra Nautilus Award-winning novel Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelsen delivers a poignant coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life. After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend...
    By Ben Mikaelsen
    Paperback
    $3700
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

School Library Journal praises Mikaelsen's authentic portrayal of Cole as "dead on." The Bulletin notes the appeal for fans of survival stories, while Kirkus Reviews calls it a "realistic portrait of an unlikable young punk." The ALA Booklist recommends it as an excellent companion to works by Gary Paulsen, and VOYA highlights its cross-generational appeal, eagerly awaiting a sequel.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780380805600

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 January 2016

Country: United States

Imprint: HarperCollins

Audience: Primary and secondary education, Children, Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 194.0mm

Weight: 170g

Pages: 256

Collections

Ben Mikaelsen Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational General Fiction Literary Fiction Series: Spirit Bear Young Adult

About the Author

Ben Mikaelsen is the winner of the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writers of America Spur Award. His novels have been nominated for and won many state reader's choice awards. These novels include Red Midnight, Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey, and Tree Girl. Ben's articles and photos appear in numerous magazines around the world. Ben lives near Bozeman, Montana, with his 700-pound black bear, Buffy.

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