Touching Spirit Bear

Touching Spirit Bear

By: Ben Mikaelson

Published by: Harper Trophy

287 Pages

Reading level: Young Adult

Summary: Cole Matthews is a trouble child, and has been since he was little. Always fighting, stealing, and do anything else that will get him attention. He comes from an abusive home, where is father takes out his problems on him and his mother just watches and makes up for it by shopping. He is usually able to talk, or have his father pay his way out of trouble, but not this time. When Cole Matthews beats Peter Driscal almost to death he must pay the punishment of jail. This is until his parole officer Garvey suggests the Native American Circle of Justice. After a long trial in which Cole pretends that he wants to be forgiven and learn from his mistakes he is assigned isolation on an island off the coast of Alaska. It is here he runs into the mythical spirit bear, and it is here that he gets a taste of his own medicine and is beaten almost to death by the bear. Does he survive? Will he ever learn his lesson? Can people really change? Can you really overcome anger? Touching Spirit Bear answers these life questions and lots more.

Personal Review: This was one of those books that at points is impossible to put down. You are constantly wondering what is going to happen next, and wondering if Cole Matthews will really change. A book i highly recommend.

Warning: Touching Spirit Bear does have some graphic violent scenes, and crude language.