TOUCHING SPIRIT BEAR By Joey Zoida

About the Author  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  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.  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.  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  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  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  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  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.