Friday, September 30, 2005

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

A great young adult book about anger management and learning to cope with what life has dealt you. Even my son got it - he said though he has anger problems, they are not THAT bad. Well Cole is a very angry 14 year old. He beat up a kid at school and faces a trial and prison sentence, when Garvey, an Indian parole officer steps in and suggests circle justice. A group of community people concerned about Cole and the situation get together to help both Cole and his victim Peter heal. Cole is so out of control, they decide to send him to an island in Alaska to get in touch with himself and his anger. Cole agrees expecting to be able to swim off the island. He tries, but the tide is too strong for him. He sees a large white bear, a Spirit Bear, and since the bear doesn't show any fear, Cole attacks him. The bear doesn't take this very well and mauls him. While lying injured, he has time to think about his life and realizes he does want to live and live differently. Cole survives, but barely, and after recovering from his injuries, is given the chance to go back to the island and work on healing his soul.
(listened to in August, going through it a second time with my son in September)

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