TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR
By Joey Zoida
About the Author
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The author of this book is Ben Mikaelsen.
He is from Bolivia, and was bullied when moving to
America because of his descent.
He has won many awards such as International
Reading Association Award and the Western
Writers' Golden Spur award.
He has a 750 lbs black bear, and considers him as
part of his family. He lives with him in Montana with
his wife and kids.
Summary
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This book is about a boy named Cole Matthews
who has a criminal record, and who's Dad beat him.
After harshly beating a kid up named Peter, he is
looking at jail time. But, a Native American tradition
called the healing circle became an option. Two
Indians named Garvey and Edwin would be his
“babysitter". He was told if he could change to a
better person by living on an island in Alaska for a
year, Cole wouldn’t have to face jail. Cole saw this
as an easy alternative to avoid jail, but was he
wrong.
Summary, cont.
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The first time Cole was on the Island, he burned the
supplies and tried swimming to the next Island to
escape. But, the current being so strong, he almost froze
to death and was washed back to shore. Cole thought
he would wait until the current wasn’t as strong. While
waiting, he notices a white bear staring at him. He
didn’t like that, so he attempted to kill it. The bear
stood its ground, and nearly killed Cole. Cole lay on the
ground for days, broken bones and freezing. That gave
him time to think, and had a near death experience,
which would change him.
Summary, cont.
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Edwin found Cole laying, almost dead. He was rushed
to the hospital. After many surgeries, he was said to be
sent to jail by disobeying the circle justice. But Cole said
he was changed, and proved it to everyone. Then, they
gave him another chance. He was to be sent on the
Island for a year, by himself and he was not to make
one mistake. Cole spent time on the island, and he
seemed fully healed. But, the boy Peter who he beat
up, tried committing suicide many times. Cole wanted to
help Peter, and had Peter come to the Island to heal.
Peter distrusted him at first, but in the end, they both
witness the Spirit Bear together and that makes them
friends.
Island in Alaska and Spirit Bear
Format
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This book is formatted as any other book.
It is 241 pages long.
It is under realistic fiction genre.
It’s split into two sections.
The setting of the book is in Massachusetts and an
Island in Alaska.
What I learned
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I learned a lot about Native American customs.
Many spiritual things were touched in this book.
It showed me Native Americans control their anger,
knowing it will always still be there, but can be
overcome. An example is when Edwin shows Cole
life is like a stick; anger on one side and happiness
on the other. You can try breaking anger off, but it
will always still be there.
Would I recommend it
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I would recommend this book to my friends.
It taught me a lot of things most books don’t.
It is an easy read because its so interesting.
Conclusion
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To conclude, I think this is a very good book. If you
are interested in reading about Native Americans,
living on your own, or over coming anger, this is a
great pick.
It deals with History because there aren't many
Indians left. This book teaches you the way they use
to live, and some still do.