When i received my package in the mail i was exited to start reading. In the book touching spirit bear what is coles dads name. Plus, free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Cole mathews used to be a violent kid, but a year in exile on a remote alaskan island has a way of changing your perspective. He soon learned that there was no need to prove himself other than with his words, which is why he threw the hair out. Cole is an innocent looking babyfaced fifteen year old from minneapolis who has been in trouble with the law half of his life.
Cole reaches out to touch the bear and grabs a tuft of white hair from its back. Is there any significance in the fact that spirit bear is a pure white black bear. Instead of respecting the creature, though, he tries to kill it and gets mauled pretty badly. Free download or read online touching spirit bear pdf epub book. Dec 09, 2009 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. Then it returns to minneapolis, their busy, noisy and polluted city. Amazing facts, photos and video links to some of the worlds most lovable animals. His incident regarding the spirit bear has provoked a sudden development in his propriety.
Cole matthews used to be a violent kid, but a year in exile on a remote alaskan island has a way of changing your perspective. Japanese proverb contents epigraph part one touching spirit bear chapter 1 cole matthews knelt. These concepts are in fact completely foreign to cole, himself the victim of. 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. Cole hit the bear many times but nothing stopped the attack. Cole matthews is a young boy who feels as though no one cares about him.
Our book report was on touching spirit bear and we had to write a chapter about what we think would happen in the next book. What is the conflict of the book touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. Cole grabbed at the bears neck in desperation and pulled out white hair. Desperate to avoid prison, cole fakes humility and agrees to go. His incident regarding the spirit bear has provoked a sudden. Touching spirit bear is a book that will really tug at the heartstrings. The spirit bear approached cole with a slow lazy stride. Touching spirit bear is a novel by ben mikaelsen in which cole matthews must fend for himself on an island for one year as penance for assaulting a boy named peter. The rare spirit bear is known locally by several names. What happened to coles dad when he was a child in the book touching spirit bear. Ketchikan is wellknown for its salmon and was originally a fishing village. Throughout the book, cole deals with a lot of pentup rage that comes bursting out in the form of violence and crime. In touching spirit bear, ben mikaelsen describes facts about coles mother and father in two ways.
Cole talks to others about his experience of child abuse and domestic violence to garvey, edwin, and the participants of circle justice. After being mauled by a spirit bear and eating mice, worms, and even his own vomit to survive, cole started to heal. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. What are some of the advice and warnings edwin gives cole for surviving the island. Cole can feel life drifting away from him as he lies out in the open getting rained on. This lesson explains the significance of coles totem pole in touching spirit bear. Character sketch cole mathews is the main character in the book touching spirit bear.
How does the spirit bear help cole find peace in touching spirit. He beats up one of his classmates, a boy named peter, and as a result of this beating, peter has permanent damage. Follow the white kermode spirit bear through the great bear rainforest, find facts about bcspiritbear, spirit bears,kermode bears,white bears,black bears,live stream hibernating spirit bear,rare videos of spirit bears,rare videos of hibernating spirit bear apollo,only videos of hibernating white kermode spirit bear,from great bear rainforest of bcs northwest coast,kermode bear sighting map,wild. He gave cole the chance to apply for healing through the healing circle of the circle justice and this ultimately leads to coles trial to stay on a alaskan island on his own for a year.
This gripping, graphic survival story from an awardwinning writer paints an unsparing picture of one violent teen and. The characters in this story seem real because they are normal. While hes trying to figure out what to do next, cole runs into spirit bear. How do coles relationships with his family, community, and country. The spirit bear is the native american term for the kermode bear, a subspecies of the american black bear found on the coast and islands of british columbia. Touching spirit bear book santa clara county library. Ben mikaelsons young adult novel touching spirit bear tells the story of an angry. White bear or ghost bear is often used by local folks. Touching spirit bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing.
The author of toucing spirit bear is ben mikaelsen. Pdf touching spirit bear book by ben mikaelsen free. People feel trust when they touch the bear s head, but so far only cole get to do that. Yes it belonged to the spirit bear, but it was also not his to be showing around just to prove himself. Kermode bear, named after francis kermodei, former director of the royal b. It is hard to meet and it doesnt try to hurt human unless human attack first. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read touching spirit bear.
Spirit bear and great bear rainforest books white spirit bear by gramma tess. In touching spirit bear what does cole carve into his totem. In the book touching spirit bear why does cole vow to kill the spirit bear. In his napra nautilus awardwinning novel touching spirit bear, author ben mikaelson delivers a poignant comingofage story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life after severely injuring peter driscal in an empty parking lot, mischiefmaker cole matthews is in major trouble. After his anger erupts into violence, cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the native american circle justice, and he is sent to a remote alaskan island where an encounter with a huge spirit bear changes his life. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemptionfrom the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and from himself. The first edition of the novel was published in june 25th 1997, and was written by ben mikaelsen. Seldom interacting with humans, these rare white black bears have lived peacefully for centuries in the pristine e.
The royal canadian geographical society is dedicated to making canada better known to canadians, and the world. It is the official provincial mammal of british columbia. Because the spirit bear can look straight at cole and is not scared at all. Touching spirit bear winstonsalemforsyth county schools. While waiting for the courts decision cole, the boy, was kept in a detention center. The main character in touching spirit bear, cole matthews, is an.
When he assaults the spirit bear, it violently retaliates against cole. The changes of cole matthews a novel by ben mikaelsen by. Touching spirit bear is a comingofage novel by bolivianamerican author ben mikaelson. It is built along a steep hillside and has a population of 14 500 people. May 29, 2014 a 12 x 18 print of the wildlife photo of your choice, a perfectbound, paperback version of spirit bear signed by the author and illustrator, plus a special animated version of spirit bear, complete with music and narration, plus educational resources and conservation info on the great bear rainforest. What are coles fears in touching spirit bear answers. Despite many around me saying i was a great parent. Theres a book in with the supplies to study if you want to learn what is safe to eat. Cole throws out the hair from the spirit bear because he realized it was valuable.
Get an answer for how do coles relationships with his family, community, and country affect his actions and decisions in touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. Setting ghost of spirit bear by sierra and chelsea the book begins on a remote island in alaska where its calm and peaceful, no one to challenge or fear. Cole is profoundly moved by the bear s peacefulness. This book tells the story of the unusual and beautiful creatures that inhabit ancient rainforests on the northwest coast of british columbia. Cole talks to others about his experience of child abuse and domestic violence to. Touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen librarything. It was part of a summer reading assignment, and instead of a book report, our. However, cole repeatedly sees the bear in his first few days on the island. The characters in this story seem real because they are normal kids in high school and, this could really happen. Click on the link below to create your own totem pole. From the novel touching spirit bear cole matthews is not your average teenage boy, he is a juvenile delinquent. Garvey, the youth probation officer, introducers cole to the concept of circle justice. All in all, this was an amazing read and i recommend it to all.
His shredded shirt exposed gashes with long strips of flesh missing. Many specimens of this race are white, around ten to twenty per cent, thus the reason the people called them spirit bears. Cole monologue from touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. Cole is always angry, at his parents, at other people, and about how much he hates his life. How do coles relationships with his family, community, and. Ben mikaelsens novel touching spirit bear is about a 15 year old boy named cole. What are 3 character traits for cole in touching spirit bear. Cole matthews and his friend peter driscal just completed a year of. The plot was amazing and the events were very interesting. After severely injuring peter driscal in an empty parking lot, mischiefmaker cole matthews is in major trouble. In touching spirit bear what does cole carve into his. He has written a few books inspired by his bear, such as touching spirit bear and the sequel ghost of spirit bear. In an effort to correct his wrongs, cole goes to stay in alaska on a barren island for a few months. Touching spirit bear is the title and it is by ben mikaelsen this is not a copy of the book it is a poem off the title for the contest.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 289 pages and is available in paperback format. As you get oder and begin to more easily recognize that life is truly a circle, touching spirit bear has some ideas on how to be a happier and more effective part of your own circle. Canadian geographic is a magazine of the royal canadian geographical society. After i read this book i really just wanted to read more. This time he caught peter driscal in the parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk.
Cole realized that the gulls were fight over bits of his own flesh. This book is dedicated to buffy, a sevenhundredpound black bear who has become my own spirit bear. What are all the animals in touching spirit bear answers. It is believed that it is a ghost bear or a god like bear, hence the name, because this bear is spiritual. Thats because those people still think you can get rid of. The spirit bear a mystic bear living on the alaskan island. Touching spirit bear a poem by punkgirl12893 all poetry. While there, cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead.
One of the gulls squawked as it stole a stringy piece of meat and skin from another gull. Touching spirit bear is a book about a very angry and abused fifteen year old who is facing a prison sentence for attacking and injuring a fellow ninethgrder. The bear pawed into his chest and ripped through his flesh each time. This bear book for kids mixes facts, photos and even includes a video clip section. If you look at cole you may see a sweet, innocent, kind, caring boy. He taught me to be gentle and that i, too, am part of the circle. Get an answer for how do cole s relationships with his family, community, and country affect his actions and decisions in touching spirit bear by ben. In his napra nautilus awardwinning novel touching spirit bear, author ben mikaelson delivers a poignant comingofage story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life. Children who read this book will recognize the personalities and behaviors of.
Before hes left there alone, edwin, a native american elder, warns him that he has to respect the natural world and that theres a mystical bear called spirit bear that might show up. Ben mikaelsen after his anger erupts into violence, cole, in order to avoid going to prison, agrees to participate in a sentencing alternative based on the native american circle justice, and he is sent to a. Harry is convinced that malfoy bears the dark mark. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen.
Pg5 cole was born and raised in minneapolis minnesota. Cole meets up with the spirit bear on the islandwhats his plan. Touching spirit bear questions author ben mikaelsen. Nov 30, 2011 what are coles fears in touching spirit bear. Ben mikaelsens touching spirit bear is a wonderful novel about a teen, cole, whose struggles with anger led to him being put in a juvenile detention center. What are facts about cole matthews in touching spririt bear. The main characters of this young adult, realistic fiction story are edwin, cole matthews. Although an animal, the spirit bear is a truly central character in this novel. Hes unrepentant and even though he is facing serious jail time, his kindly parole officer, a man named garvey, gets him into this native american justice program called circle justice. After you create your totem pole you will be writing about the meaning behind your creation. Ben mikaelsons book touching spirit bear was truly magnificent. Monologue from touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen. Kevin and anastassia introduction cole has experienced numerous changes throughout the story.
After beating up peter which puts him in some legal. You know, the stuff you just told me makes more sense than all the weird things the counselors and psychologist have told me in school and at the detention center. Contents epigraph part one touching spirit bear chapter 1 cole matthews knelt defiantly in the bow of. Cole raised his right arm to ward the bear off but the bear sank its teeth into his arm. Touching spirit bear is a book that is about a boy named cole that was evil and mean child becoming a nice and helpful child by the. The hard lessons learned over the years were ones i wanted to share with todays teenagers. Touching spirit bear ben mikaelsen dedication this book is dedicated to buffy, a sevenhundredpound black bear who has become my own spirit bear. Ben mikaelsen this story took place in a boy named cole mathews high school. Cole matthews is a teenage delinquent whos in big trouble for beating up a kid named peter driscal. We will learn why cole chooses each animal to carve into the pole, and then explore the meaning of the totem. Now, peter may have permanent brain damageand cole is in the biggest trouble of his life. Hes unrepentant and even though he is facing serious jail.
In this lesson, well explore how cole changes throughout the novel, growing from an angry, disaffected youth to a more. Ben mikaelsen considered buffy a 750pound member of my family. His presence on the island is almost mythical since spirit bears are supposed to live somewhere southeast of the island. In fact, as his interactions with the spirit bear show, he comes slowly to accept death. Apr 30, 2002 it helped me understand some of my standard parenting actions which i did not like. After being mauled by a spirit bear, cole started to heal. Bear books for children a fun and fascinating way for young readers to find out more about these highly intelligent creatures. Contents epigraph partone touchingspiritbear chapter1 colematthewskneltdefiantlyinthebowofthealuminum chapter2 theheavyloadofsuppliescausedtheskifftowallow. I liked that broke things down and explained each topic clearly and in an.
Cole matthews knew what he did was wrong but the anger deep inside him kept him on this path. He has been writing fulltime since 1984 and lives in anacortes, washington with his wife, connie. The ghost of spirit bear by sierra schultz on prezi. Cole matthews is the main character of the novel touching spirit bear. How do coles relationships with his family, community. Spirit bear is a more recent name for the white bear. Theres a book in with the supplies to study if you want to. Apr 20, 2010 in his napra nautilus awardwinning novel touching spirit bear, author ben mikaelson delivers a poignant comingofage story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life. Inside the book, youll find more than seven hundred pieces of artworkfrom each.
Touching spirit bear ebook written by ben mikaelsen. This is a long way of explaining that touching spirit bear is the book i wished i could have read when i was adolescent. The characters in this story are cole mathews, peter,garvey,kieth and the spirit bear. It focuses on a teenager named cole matthews, who severely injures another boy, peter driscal, in a parkinglot altercation. The kermode bear ursus americanus kermodei, also known as the spirit bear particularly in british columbia, is a rare subspecies of the american black bear living in the central and north coast regions of british columbia, canada. In touching spirit bear, garvey tells cole that he should create his own totem pole that tells his own story. Touching spirit bear is a book that is about a boy named cole that was evil and mean child becoming a nice and helpful child by the spirit bear. In the novel, touching spirit bear, the main character, cole matthews is sent to live on a remote island off the coast of ketchikan, which is a small town near the southern border of alaska. Any idea touching spirit bear by ben mikaelsen is appropriate for. Rescuers arrive to save cole s but it is the attack of the spirit bear that may save his soul. He burns down his shelter and gets into a fight with spirit bear when he first comes to the islandjust because he can. So cole is sent to a remote alaskan island where hes supposed to spend a year living off the land and reflecting on his mistakes.
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