{"product_id":"9780380805600","title":"Touching Spirit Bear","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eTouching Spirit Bear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Ben Mikaelsen\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn his Nautilus Award-winning classic \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTouching Spirit Bear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e, author Ben Mikaelson delivers a powerful coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and, most importantly, from himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBen Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots of his anger without absolving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. \u003cem\u003eTouching Spirit Bear\u003c\/em\u003e is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e“Mikaelsen’s portrayal of this angry, manipulative, damaged teen is dead on.”\u003cbr\u003e\"[Cole's] solitary life on the island is just the ticket for Paulsen fans, who will appreciate the survival story.\"\u003cbr\u003e“Mikaelsen paints a realistic portrait of an unlikable young punk.”\u003cbr\u003e“An excellent companion to Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet and Allan Eckert’s Incident at Hawk’s Hill.”\u003cbr\u003e“[Cole’s story] will fascinate young and old, and have everyone waiting for the sequel.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNevada Young Readers’ Award, Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (North Dakota), Book Sense Pick, Golden Sower Award (Nebraska), California Young Reader Medal, Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin), Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award (Minnesota), Beehive Award (Utah), ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9780380805600\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":41105537925326,"sku":"9780380805600","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7029\/7806\/products\/9780380805600_d531a335-c673-4602-b85d-47eb3a308c2f.jpg?v=1652162253","url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9780380805600","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}