Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen (2002, Paperback, Reprint)

After attending a reading conference where this book was mentioned, I bought a copy to see if my middle school students would like it. I have taught middle school language arts for 21 years, and this book has inspired more meaningful class discussions than any other I can remember. My students with behavior and/or family problems seem to respond more intensely than others. They can relate to the main character, Cole Matthews, and the issues that he deals with such as anger and family alcoholism. They are gripped by Cole's experiences on the island, particularly with the Spirit Bear. Because they are so involved in the reading of this character's life, they begin to see connections and symbolism on a level that continues to astound me. They also learn a lot about the Native American ways of viewing life and the world around us. As we read other novels throughout the year, students continue to make text to text connections with this book. I have even heard them make references to the book when dealing with personal issues in their lives such as controlling their anger. A new saying in our class this year when dealing with frustration and anger has been "I need to roll my rock away!" which refers to an important part of the book. If you are looking for a great book to hook even your toughest student, this is it. The recorded book version is great also.

Acceptable condition to me doest mean ripped pages and written on with black marker. very disappointed with the condition of the book.

I had to buy it because i chose this book to compare to one of my college class text books about conflict.

MY SON LOVES THAT BOOK AND I JUST HAD TO FIND IT FOR HIM. HE HAD READ IT AT SCHOOL AND LOVED IT AND WANTED ONE OF HIS OWN I AM JUST GLAD THAT I FOUND IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH....

It was on a battle of the books for this year. I looked it up and was interested in the story. It turned out so much better than i expected. A great book

My daughter loved this book. She did not want to put it down, sge finished it in 2 days!!! The moral behind the story is really worth having everyy child read.

Easy reader and great, great subject matter for this day and age with teens. I bought this book to read to my class.