Within Cole Matthews lie anger, rage and hate. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. This time he caught Alex Driscal in the, parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Now, Alex may have permanent brain damage'and Cole is in the Biggest trouble of his life.Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the criminal offender, the victim and the, community. With prison as his only alternative, Cole plays along. He says he wants to repent, ...
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Within Cole Matthews lie anger, rage and hate. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. This time he caught Alex Driscal in the, parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Now, Alex may have permanent brain damage'and Cole is in the Biggest trouble of his life.Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the criminal offender, the victim and the, community. With prison as his only alternative, Cole plays along. He says he wants to repent, but in his heart Cole blames his alcoholic mom his, abusive dad, wimpy Alex -- everyone but himself -- for his situation.Cole receives a one-year banishment to a remote Alaskan island. There, he is mauled by Mysterious white bear of Native American legend. Hideously injured, Cole waits for his death His thoughts shift from from Anger to humility. To survive, he must stop blaming others and take responsibility for his life. Rescuers arrive to save Cole's but it is the attack of the Spirit Bear that may save his soul. Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots without absolving solving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing
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this is a book read by many English 9 classes. There is a good message and student's really like the story. There is no movie to go with the book; which is unfortunate. I highly recommend this book.
KatieMc
Jul 5, 2007
Choices, Consequences & Change
My young teenager read a library copy of this for a school book report. He raved about it so much, I bought a copy for our home library. My husband and I both loved it! This is a book about a troubled young teenager named Cole who lives only for himself, blames everyone else for his troubles, and accepts no responsibility for his own actions or attitudes. He has learned to "work the system" and his family helps him avoid consequences most of his life - that is until one final nearly deadly choice. To avoid jail, Cole agrees to participate in "Circle Justice" intended to allow him time and opportunity to learn about himself, grow, and heal. Will this experience be successful? Can Cole face the consequences - and himself - and really change? Is healing truly possible? Or will Cole's damaging past be too much for him to face? For those who enjoy adventure, personal growth, self-discipline, and things connected with Native American Culture, this is a book for you! Our family will reading this aloud together and we will be discussing responsibility for personal choices, the inevitability of consequences, and the importance of personal integrity. This is a reading journey well worth the time!
