Touching Spirit Bear: Novel-Ties Study Guide

For third grade gifted inner city students this novel hits a great number of issues they deal with whether in their neighborhood or within their school experiences. I have used this as a beginning of the year interactive read aloud for four years. This is the first real novel these students encounter. With common core beginning to be implemented, the novel brings deep discussions, difficult questions, and 'ah ha's '. It has yet to disappoint.

The story is easy reading and has a great meaning. I think it should be required reading for children in middle school thru high school. The story shows how one can overcome deep rooted anger and also the feeling of helplessness. I read it along with my granddaughter (she's in 6th grade) and we had some good discussions. Going to try and get my grandson to read who is in high school (9th grade).

I started reading this book because my teenage f daughter was assigned to read it for school and I picked it up.
The struggle to forgive oneself and learn that control is ours to take is a very hard lesson to learn. This book explains it so well. I hope my daughter sees the power in forgiveness.

This is an excellent coming of age book. I bought it for my grandson and read it first! I'm glad I did, because I enjoyed it as much as I hope he'll enjoy it. It has many great lessons about what it means to live whole...to understand connection. The story is powerful and riveting for any adolescent...or adult.

He has such a good writing style. Was impressed with how he did the comparisons between life and the things a young adult could relate to. I read this along with a student who had a troubled past, and I think this book helped her see where you need to take responsibility for yourself, no matter what hand life dealt you.

This is my favorite book for youth, those troubled, having poor social skills and typical to help understand people in general. Everyone should read this book. I have purchased countless copies of this and given them away!

I participate in a restorative justice program similar to the one Mikaelsen describes, and I read this book on the recommendation from a fellow volunteer. It is, first and foremost, a novel for young adult readers, so it never claims to be outstanding literature, but it succeeds as an exploration of personal growth and development that can (hopefully) occur for participants in restorative/circle justice groups. Essentially, the story follows an angry young man as he commits a violent crime and then engages in a dialogue designed to restore the community and reveal his connections to those around him. The morality is a bit heavy-handed (one character, Edwin, never speaks except to dispense his traditional Native American views and occasionally offer hints as to a troubled past), but it is presented with honesty and respect, and I recommend the book to volunteers and potential volunteers. I was personally a bit uncomfortable with the Circle of Life spirituality presented, as it is not entirely consistent with Biblical Christianity (even if all creation is connected in a circle that demands respect, God is sovereign over that circle and not somehow just a part of it), but the basic messages about love and forgiveness and respect and healing are quite beautiful and can easily be related to a more Biblical analysis of the protagonist's situation and his needs.

Also, as a simple survival adventure story, this book draws favorable comparisons to the classic Hatchet, so I recommend this book even for adolescents who will skip the emotional struggles and focus on the storms and the mauling and the shelter-building and bug-eating.

This is my favorite book for youth, those troubled, having poor social skills and typical to help understand people in general. Everyone should read this book. I have purchased countless copies of this and given them away!

I participate in a restorative justice program similar to the one Mikaelsen describes, and I read this book on the recommendation from a fellow volunteer. It is, first and foremost, a novel for young adult readers, so it never claims to be outstanding literature, but it succeeds as an exploration of personal growth and development that can (hopefully) occur for participants in restorative/circle justice groups. Essentially, the story follows an angry young man as he commits a violent crime and then engages in a dialogue designed to restore the community and reveal his connections to those around him. The morality is a bit heavy-handed (one character, Edwin, never speaks except to dispense his traditional Native American views and occasionally offer hints as to a troubled past), but it is presented with honesty and respect, and I recommend the book to volunteers and potential volunteers. I was personally a bit uncomfortable with the Circle of Life spirituality presented, as it is not entirely consistent with Biblical Christianity (even if all creation is connected in a circle that demands respect, God is sovereign over that circle and not somehow just a part of it), but the basic messages about love and forgiveness and respect and healing are quite beautiful and can easily be related to a more Biblical analysis of the protagonist's situation and his needs.

Also, as a simple survival adventure story, this book draws favorable comparisons to the classic Hatchet, so I recommend this book even for adolescents who will skip the emotional struggles and focus on the storms and the mauling and the shelter-building and bug-eating.

What a moving incredible story. I went out and 4 more copies immediately to give to friends either working in child detention or who have problem teenagers. A must listen for anyone who cares about the troubled teens of today.

i really like the life lessons behind this book, i plan to read it in my classroom with 16yrold boys after march, i believe they will really enjoy it. As for myself i really liked the descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness.

This is an awesome book! It captures your attention from beginning to end. Lots of life lessons here. I read this book because my grandson's class will be reading it as part of the school reading program. My compliments go out to the author Ben Mikaelsen. Any possibility of a sequel? I would love to read more. Super Fantastic!!!!!