Touching+Spirit+Bear

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson

Mikaelson, B. (2001). Touching Spirit Bear. New York, NY: Harper Trophy Publishing Co.

Novel Summary:

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is about an angry fifteen-year-old juvenile delinquent named Cole Matthews who is arrested for robbing a hardware store and seriously injuring a classmate. While serving his sentence in a Minneapolis Detention Center, Cole is offered the chance to participate in a Native American rehabilitation program located in Ketchikan, Alaska. If he agrees to submit himself to their justice system, he must live alone on a remote island off the southeastern coast of Alaska for a year. After careful consideration, he agrees to their terms. Upon his arrival, he is savagely attacked and wounded by mysterious bear. His two Tlinglet Indian sponsors aid him by teaching him tribal methods for relieving pain. Cole endures many hardships and dangers in the wilderness while on his quest for truth. The author, Ben Mikealsen, creates a harrowing adventure full of strange alliances and discoveries, which links the past to the present in this coming of age story that appeals to readers of all ages.

Novel Critique:

Cole Matthews is an angry fifteen-year old boy whose father has physically abused him for many of years. Violence is all Cole knows, and he is continually getting into trouble. Since his father is extremely wealthy, he bails Cole out of his messes to protect his reputation in the corporate world. However, when his son almost beats a teenage boy to death, he decides it is time for Cole to face the consequences for his actions. Cole hates his father and is unwilling to forgive him. He despises his mother for her passivity in allowing his father's abuse to continue. When Cole comes face to face with his victim during his hearing, he is unrepentant of the physical and psychological damage he has inflicted on the boy. In Alaska, he is forced to construct a cabin and live off the land. While on his own, he begins studying various types of indigenous wildlife, and learns their secrets for survival. From a distance, he sometimes catches a glimpse of the Kermode bear that mauled him. He is determined to to confront his attacker again in the future. Ben Mikaelson's characterization of Cole is surrounded by layers of complexities stemming from the boy's childhood. Through a series of flashbacks, the author contrasts the boy's savage upbringing to his current existence of living in the wilds of Alaska. Later, Cole is physically attacked by an unexpected assailant and tensions mount between the two rivals. Cole is continually in danger throughout the text making it a fascinating read for young adolescents.

Teaching the Novel in Multiple Content Areas:

Mathematics:
 * Cole travels from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Seattle, Washington. Calculate the distance in miles between the two cities.
 * From Seattle, Washington, Cole and his sponsor travel to Ketchikan, Alaska. Calculate the distance between the two cities in miles.
 * Ketchikan is located on a large island off Southeastern, Alaska. Research and record the size of that island and add it to the two previous totals.
 * Cole inhabits one of the numerous small islands off the coast of Ketchikan, Alaska for a year. Pick one of those small islands and estimate the distance between it and Ketchikan, Alaska in miles.

Social Studies:


 * In the text//,// the Kermode bear inhabits specific regions of British Columbia. Research and name two of those areas.
 * Research the Tlingit Indians' form of government. What is the name of its controlling branch of government.
 * Both the Tlingit Indians and Cole perform dances in honor of specific animals. After researching the Tlingit ceremonies, are there other types of dances they perform? Can you list one?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Research the Circle of Justice of the Native American Indians and report whether it really exists.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Science:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Cole reports seeing a whale passing close to the shore of the island he inhabits. Research and name at least three types of whales that are often seen migrating off the southeastern coast of Alaska? What is the estimated length and weight of each type of whale?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Cole mentions a variety of wildlife that live on the island he inhabits. Choose one animal and report what its diet consists of.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">In the novel, Cole carves the image of an eagle in his totem. Research and report the estimated width of of the wingspan of both the bald and golden eagle. What does their diet consist of?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">What is the average temperature in the summer in Ketchikan, Alaska? What is the average temperature of Ketchikan, Alaska in winter? What is the average rainfall amount in Ketchikan, Alaska?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Language Arts:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">There are many names in the novel that are part of the Native American Indian vocabulary. List some of those words and record their definitions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Both Ketchikan and Minneapolis, Minnesota were named by Native American Indians. Research and report the meaning of each.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">In the novel, who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist? Does Ben Mikaelson use a lot of similes in T//ouching Spirit Bea//r? Can you locate and list three similes and what you think they mean?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">In //Touching Spirit Bear,// there are several symbols repeatedly used throughout the novel. Name three of those symbols and what you think they mean in relation to Cole?