Touching Spirit Bear — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceCentral
- Scary contentSupporting
- ReligionSupportingOther or made-up faith
- Race & cultureBrief
- ProfanityBrief
Not found
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender roles
- Gender & orientation
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
Get the full theme breakdown in the app
Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
Download for iOSExample theme card
Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Within Cole Matthews lie anger, rage and hate. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. This time he caught Alex Driscal in the, parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Now, Alex may have permanent brain damage'and Cole is in the Biggest trouble of his life.
Cole is offered Circle Justice: a system based on Native American traditions that attempts to provide healing for the criminal offender, the victim and the, community. With prison as his only alternative, Cole plays along. He says he wants to repent, but in his heart Cole blames his alcoholic mom his, abusive dad, wimpy Alex -- everyone but himself -- for his situation.
Cole receives a one-year banishment to a remote Alaskan island. There, he is mauled by Mysterious white bear of Native American legend. Hideously injured, Cole waits for his death His thoughts shift from from Anger to humility. To survive, he must stop blaming others and take responsibility for his life. Rescuers arrive to save Cole's but it is the attack of the Spirit Bear that may save his soul.
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. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing
Frequently asked questions
Is Touching Spirit Bear appropriate for a 7-year-old?
Cole beats a classmate and slams his head on the sidewalk, his father beats him, and a bear mauls him after he tries to kill it; later the victim hits and kicks Cole. The bear mauling and Cole's injured, near-death struggle to survive are described in graphic detail, including eating a live mouse.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have violence?
Found (Central): Cole beats a classmate and slams his head on the sidewalk, his father beats him, and a bear mauls him after he tries to kill it; later the victim hits and kicks Cole.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have scary content?
Found (Supporting): The bear mauling and Cole's injured, near-death struggle to survive are described in graphic detail, including eating a live mouse.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have religion?
Found (Supporting, Other or made-up faith): A Tlingit elder guides Cole through Native American spiritual rituals and a totem carving on the island, and the Spirit Bear is a figure from Native legend.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have race & culture?
Found (Brief): Cole is sent to a program based on Native American traditions and supervised by a Tlingit elder on a Tlingit-area island; the story shows no racism toward characters.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have profanity?
Found (Brief): A content guide lists a few censored swear words and an obscene finger gesture.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have gender roles?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Touching Spirit Bear have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
