Touching Spirit Bear

Touching Spirit Bear

by: Ben Mikaelsen
published by: HarperCollins

Summary: Cole Matthews is angry at the world and not to be defied. Little Peter finds this out the hard way. After beating Peter up and smashing his head on the sidewalk, Cole is arrested. Before his trial he is given the choice to go to prison or to join something called the Circle of Justice, which would decide on a suitable punishment for him that will cause him to grow an change. Only if he is willing to. Cole isn't--but that doesn't stop him from pretending. He does everything he can to get into the circle of Justice and stay far away from prison. That's how he finds himself stranded on an Alaskan island mauled by a gigantic white bear, in the clutches of death. Now he wonders if prison would have been easier.

Personal Review: I loved seeing this character evolve; slowly though it was. I like how the author didn't suddenly change him all at once, it made him much more realistic. I had to have patience with Cole and it helped me realize that I need to have more patience with real people I know in my life. It is a beautiful and touching story, I would definitely recommend this book to a teenage boy.

Cautionary notes: violence when cole beats up Peter, and when Cole throws any kind of fit, and violence when the bear attacks Cole.