Edwin says this to Cole in order for him to appreciate the importance of nature in general but also to understand its importance for his own healing. Drinking helped me ignore reality. She shook her head. Throughout the course of the novel, Cole undergoes a radical transformation. He eats mice and insects to stay alive, and just as he is about to resign himself to death, the Spirit Bear returns to him. Everybody carries anger inside. I did care about you. This delinquent has been in trouble with the law since he was a mere child. The hair was white. Cole is determined to do things right the second time around, and Edwin and Garvey teach him several moral lessons and practical skills he can use to heal and learn to forgive himself and others. typical of the Information Age but is a habit disdained by some diehard readers. Ben Mikaelsen was inspired by his own pet black bear, Buffy, to whom he dedicated the book; the novel also takes cultural inspiration from the Tlingit Tribe of Alaska. The novel follows Cole as he undergoes a personal transformation while forced to live alone on an island in Alaska. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. The storyline was well developed but was not too action packed. How much beauty had he missed in his lifetime? Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. We had to read the book for school and most of my friends didnt like the book. Sometimes people hurt each other trying to figure things out. Cole gazed into the flames. Black bears are, on the whole, much less likely to attack humans than either brown or grizzly bears; they evolved to be cautious and generally avoid humans. Cole suggests that Peter come to the island and heal with him, and Edwin agrees that it may work. Cole has frequent flashbacks to his experiences at the Healing Circle that influence his thoughts and actions. He drives them to the dock and ferries them out to the island. He has been stealing and lying for years, but everyone has had it out of hm when he beats Peter Driscal's skull into the sidewalk for ratting out on him. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. The students found his experiences horrific, and we were able to have many great discussions on Cole, his situation, and the book itself. This is a phenomenal book. I lived my early years here in Drake, but no one cared enough to take me through Circle Justice. He shook his head with a sad smile. Garvey's never afraid of Cole nor of giving Cole some tough love. Cole does not retaliate no matter how much Peter pushes him, and in the end the boys break down and resolve to stop fighting. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. In this way, the author makes the lesson of the book go beyond a particular boy in Alaska who encounters a bear into a broader story of the man's search for self and meaning. The next morning Cole hiked alone to the pond. I highly recommend you use this site! Thats Circle Justice. Cole also learns to perform animal dances, using each one as a learning experience and then carving the animal into his totem pole. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Frantic, Cole struggled to fly, but he couldnt escape the nest. For all of us, quotes are a great way to remember a book How could have ever thought he truly controlled anything? Books are seen by some as a throwback to a previous The way the content is organized, A concise biography of Ben Mikaelsen plus historical and literary context for, In-depth summary and analysis of every chapter of, Explanations, analysis, and visualizations of, Mikaelsen was born in Bolivia to Christian missionary parents. In the novel Touching Spirit Bear, the Native American Circle of Justice provides an alternative form of justice for Cole Mathews. Nor did he regret hurting Peter. Then, Edwin arrives with news that Peter has attempted to die by suicide twice. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. GradeSaver, 10 June 2011 Web. Those who focus on anger will always be angry. Despite this, Coles choice to approach the bear in the novel is a great example of what not to do when confronted with a bearthough black bears are relatively small (most weigh less than 300 pounds), theyre still capable of killing a human. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear 8 likes Like "Happiness, like anger, is also a habit. A bear with half a brain would have turned tail and run. Overall wouldn't recommend to ANYONE. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. He probably sent her a brief text, saying, Over. Then Cole is to roll the stone down, imagining it as his anger. - the second half of this book really just irritated me, and made me wary of reading the sequel, which i have already purchased. He soaked as long as he could, his calmness shaken by how terrified Peter was of him. By giving victims an active role, it gives them a sense of power; it also seeks to help offenders understand how they harmed the victim (and sometimes, the whole community) and how they can take responsibility for their actions. Touching Spirit Bear study guide contains a biography of Ben Mikaelsen, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. As Cole participates in these rituals throughout the winter, he finds himself becoming calmer and more able to deal with a changing external environment because his internal emotional landscape is peaceful. Show more. After beating a kid close to death he is sent to live on an island by himself for a year trying to heal his anger. He would get revenge, especially against those who had wanted him in jail. It tells the story of Cole Mathews, an abused, arrogant, aggressive high school boy who has committed many crimes in his short lifetime on Earth. Again, after burning his supplies on the island, Cole feels ''no regret for having burned the supplies and the shelter. Reluctantly, Cole agrees, and a series of Circles meet in order to decide his sentence. This was all somebody elses fault. Touching Spirit Bear is a young adult fiction novel written by Ben Mikaelsen and originally published in 2002. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 Summary and Analysis. Antagonist: Cole's Dad; Anger Point of View: Third Person Extra Credit for Touching Spirit Bear He tries to kill Spirit Bear, which is why it lashes out at him, almost killing him. When they get there, though, Peter starts to shove Cole and to tell him that they'll never be friendsnot after what Cole did to him. How could he have once wanted someone to feel that way? The book is intense and a bit graphic in Chapter 8 when he encounters a spirit bear. His words would become his only proof" (112). Not affiliated with Harvard College. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. 'Do you deserve respect?' 'Yeah,' Dylan answered. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides. We thoughtfully gather quotes from our favorite books, both classic and current, and Cole is profoundly moved by the bear's peacefulness. However, he is plagued by the fact that he has not yet seen the Spirit Bear again. The novel ends with Peter and Cole carving a circle into the last empty space on Coles totem pole, symbolizing the unity and peace that they have found on the island. '', Gaining control of his anger is not an easy process for Cole, and his path is one of many ups and downs. Beginning today, he would tell the truth. But habits change hard., Animals can teach us more about ourselves than any teacher. He, catching up to Edwin until they reached the trees. I loved this story and can't wait to share it with my students this year! The way the content is organized, LitCharts makes it easy to find quotes by Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. BookQuoters is a community of passionate readers who enjoy sharing the most meaningful, Cole's life, especially on the island, was intertwined with the natural world. - They hadnt deserved to die. Wincing, he wiped at his mouth with his left hand, then stared at the glistening red on his knuckles. Touching Spirit Bear Quotes and Analysis "Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. Struggling with distance learning? I honestly didn't feel sorry for him whatsoever in this book. Cole studied Peter. Refine any search. "Why live if you cant help others and make the world a better place?" Cole even spits at the Spirit Bear. I used to be like that., Garvey shook his head. Garvey apologizes for getting Cole into this situation, and Cole responds by whispering, ''My fault. Teachers and parents! COLES ASS SHOULDA WENT TO JAIL - I DONT KNOW WHY THEY SENT HIM TO A REMOTE ISLAND ! Peter suffers head trauma, speech problems, and constant nightmares as consequences of Coles actions. Remember that." Edwin, p. 19 Edwin says this to Cole in order for him to appreciate the importance of nature in general but also to understand its importance for his own healing. When Peter does not have a good answer, Cole does not allow himself to become aggressive, but instead offers how Peter can begin to control his own anger. He gets sent to a island with nothing but a shelter and some clothes and other supplies. What does this prove? Yes, [the hot dog celebration] was a big deal. -Graham S. Restorative justice is, as the novel explains, a method of helping offenders and victims heal through communication. Even while still in the hospital, Edwin warns Cole that ''a person is never done being mad. Caught by the rising tide, he is unable to escape the island. To this storm, he was as insignificant as a leaf. Through suffering, loneliness, and the power of rituals, he learns how his anger has contributed to his violent behavior. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. After days he sees the Spirit bear and gets mauled (he deserved it). One of the final scenes of the novel shows the extent of Cole's transformation. It can be seen as the opposite of traditional criminal justice, which looks only at where an offender went wrong legally and how to administer punishment. The next morning, the tree has been struck down, and the baby sparrows are dead, still in the position of begging for food. Touching Spirit Bear Ben Mikaelsen 3.86 30,950 ratings4,113 reviews Within Cole Matthews lies anger, rage and hate. His own pain of being attacked and isolated on the island pales in comparison with Peter's suffering, and yet Cole requires Peter's forgiveness in order for his transformation to be complete. 2) Edwin and Garvey tell him that he'll need something more substantial to eat before working, but he says "no" based on what's normal for What did Edwin's friend bernie see on an island near the one on which Cole had been placed? Wounds of the spirit heal even slower.. His life is headed south when he violently beats up another young man in a brutal manner. This approach to positive thinking as a tool for personal growth was an essential point in Cole's development that allows him to approach his time of isolation on the island with excitement rather than resentment or boredom. It had good description but it could have been better. Quotes From Touching Spirit Bear 1114 Words | 5 Pages "There in the palm of his hand was a wad of hair. As the world communicates more and This book is about a juvenile boy named Cole. This detailed literature summary also contains Quotes and a Free Quiz on Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. It is during this time that the Spirit Bear reappears, but only briefly. But helping others is how I help myself., Garvey nodded. 500 matching entries found. Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear. There are only two things wrong with meeverything I do and everything I say. Edwin takes Cole to a freezing pond and has him sit in it to reflect and let his hurt soak away. This forgiveness isnt for you. They moved in harmony, bending and flowing, twisting and breathing, as if connected. To avoid jail after brutally assaulting a boy, he joins Circle Justice, a group dedicated to helping criminals repent and change. This insight is also deeply psychological and represents a sort of self-therapy that Cole had been conducted to understand better his own feelings and to cast out those that are negative. Touching Spirit Bear is a great book to utilize when learning about symbols because much of the symbolism is deliberately explained in the story. His love shows in his . Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear, 6. Cole blinked in stunned realization. "all my parents do is drink. By dawn, he's hanging on by a thread. Edwins prediction proves correct when Cole tries to escape the island, nearly freezing to death, and then is attacked by the Spirit Bear. Instead, this dumb animal had attacked. Its up to him. How to help Peter heal is something that will haunt you and stay in your thoughts like a sliver under your skin. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. I love this book! They'll never be happy until I'm dead" But his life isnt worthless, Cole protested. '', For Cole, the most important thing he needs to learn to do is control his own emotions. It inspects Cole, and Cole reaches out to touch it. A blur of white motion deflected the shaft down into the grass as the bear lunged. The bear literally crushes his body but it also figuratively crushes his pride and his sense of anger and power over others. Cole feels grateful to be alive and to be trusted by the bear, and Edwin and Garvey soon rescue him and take him to a hospital. Related Topics. Rather than reacting violently as he might have done before, Cole calmly confronts Peter in the cabin, asking simply, ''Why did you wreck my bear carving?'' Edwin and Garvey come to check on Cole, and find him close to death, with mosquitoes and decay all around him. He nearly freezes to death in the Alaskan waters and retreatsthe first of several mistakes that result in him nearly dying. Touching Spirit Bear Quotes & Sayings . 'It's true,' he whispered. Cole didnt trust Garvey. All rights reserved. Touching Spirit Bear is a novel geared towards ten year olds. He may not be ready to forgive you." "I don't care if he forgives me." Garvey rubbed the back of his neck, then glanced up toward the ceiling. Now it wandered out in the woods somewhere, the mauling little more than an inconvenience to its morning. Lage, Daniel. He goes to court. Nor did he regret hurting Peter. "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. It takes nearly dying for Cole to begin learning his place in lifes circle. "Touching Spirit Bear Quotes and Analysis". You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Ill admit that I completely judged this book by on its cover. Despite what their name might imply, American black bears only sport black coats about 70 percent of the time. He is for the first time excited about his surroundings, and this is ironic because with so many of his bones broken, he can no longer move around to see them and enjoy them. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is a story written about a boy named Cole Matthews who is a nuisance to everyone around him. He blames the world for his problems and takes no responsibility for how his life is turning out. When Peter does finally arrive on the island, Cole attempts to respect that Peter wants nothing to do with him, as he is still very afraid of Cole. He remembers lying in front of everyone, his father doing the same, and the people at the Circle doubting his ability to change. Upon returning for a second time to the island, Garvey makes this comment to Cole in order to help him understand the importance of changing one's mindset. I think this book was amazing and life changing. You learn to be happy one day at a time. He couldnt help but think how many thousands of times he had done the same to people. The Healing Circle rejects his plea to try again, but Edwin and Garvey believe in him and want to help. How is this also a circle? People like Peters lady lawyer. Theyll never be happy until Im dead., Being invisible had nothing to do with being seen. Literally the book - described his environment in like 20 different $#@&$? The boy has developed depression and has twice attempted suicide. The responsibility for these actions, for Cole, always lies with others. Left to die after the attack, Cole comes to realize his own vulnerability and need to change. In fact, even after Cole has moved into the cabin, Peter finds ways to exact revenge on Cole, from minor things such as walking across his sleeping bag with muddy boots or knocking his jacket to the ground, to the more major event of destroying one of Cole's totem carvings. Cole, a very generic juvenile delinquent from a very generic abusive family, is generically filled with rage and lies; he appears on course for a life perpetually in and out of prison, but then he gets drawn into the alternative Circle Justice system. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Hinton | Character & Quotes, Killer Kane in Freak the Mighty | Summary & Analysis, Bud's Rules in Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis | Significance & Analysis, Peak by Roland Smith | Book Summary & Analysis, A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park | Summary & Themes, Dally's Death in The Outsiders by S.E. On the island, Cole sees a white bear and knows it is a Spirit Bear, which Edwin told him about. oh hey look its the WORST BOOK ON THE PLANET MS ROACH I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR MAKING US READ THIS IN GRADE 9. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Cole thinks exactly that. Just as he is growing in his own process of healing, Edwin tells him that Peter Driscal, the boy he had attacked, is not doing well. I teach students with Intellectual Disabilities that are high school students, but are at an upper elementary reading level. The hair was white. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Unless Peter forgives you, he won't heal." Related Themes: Page Number and Citation 33 Cite this Quote The novel Touching Spirit Bear describes its main character, Cole Matthews, as ''an innocent-looking, baby-faced fifteen-year-old from Minneapolis who had been in trouble half his life.'' He turned to Edwin. They decided to give him to circle justice, a peace group. He doesnt want to be mean; he just doesnt know any better.. '', When Cole is finally faced with the Spirit Bear, the encounter is as if it, too, is completely out of Cole's control. It inspects Cole, and Cole reaches out to touch it. Refresh and try again. He is routinely abused by his father and the abuse leads to a deep, constant anger that Cole can't control. Why wasnt the bear scared? This was the hurt of being alone and unwanted.. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Those who focus on happiness will-" quote from Touching Spirit Bear "Animals can teach us more about ourselves than any teacher." quote from Touching Spirit Bear Our surroundings and other people only affect us if we let them for good or for bad. The harm you did to him will fester and pain you all your life unless youre able to make up for it., He said that last week Peter tried to commit suicide., Suicide! Cole caught his breath. As the two forgive each other, they see the Spirit Bear one last time, peaceful as it watches the two former enemies now reconcile. But also happiness. Touching Spirit Bear, published in 2001, is an account of a young boy's experience with violence, forgiveness, and nature as he is banished to a remote Alaskan island as punishment for a violent crime. Do you know what it's like waking up every morning knowing you're not good enough? Besides, this wouldn't have happened if Peter had kept his mouth shut.'' All of the landscape, the air, the trees, the animals, the water, the rain, all seemed to be part of something bigger. No matter how deeply he breathed, soaking failed to take away his troubled thoughts. Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is the story of an angry juvenile delinquent named Cole Matthews who is facing possible prison time for unleashing on a younger, weaker teenager, causing him . 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