Books like Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
Cole Daniels can barely keep his temper under control. After a fight lands him in the juvenile detention system, he chooses a sentencing alternative that sends him to a remote Alaskan island for Circle Justice. There, under the ancient Tlingit customs that govern the island, Cole meets a formidable Spirit Bear—an animal of legend that tests his emotions and beliefs. Through the bear’s presence and the island’s unforgiving wilderness, Cole must confront his rage, the abuse that fuels it, and the possibility of healing and redemption.
The novel explores themes of anger, child abuse, rehabilitation, and the profound impact of nature and Native American traditions on personal transformation. It is both a coming‑of‑age narrative and a cultural study, set against the rugged landscapes of Alaska and the spiritual life of the Tlingit people.
First publish date: 2001
Genre: Children's Fiction/Children's Adventure
Authors: Ben Mikaelsen
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4.6 (8 community ratings)
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