Touching Spirit Bear

Cole Matthews is full of hatred, fury, and anger. Cole has a long history of fighting and stealing. He hit Peter Driscal's head on the pavement after snagging him in the parking lot this time. Cole is in the worst situation of his life, and Peter could suffer irreversible brain damage.

Circle Justice, an approach rooted in Native American customs that aims to provide healing to the perpetrator, the victim, and the community, is presented to Cole. Cole goes along since he has no other option except to go to jail. Though Cole claims he wants to change, he really blames everyone except himself—his violent father, his alcoholic mother, and weak Peter—for his predicament.

Cole is sent to a secluded island in Alaska for a year. There, a strange white bear from Native American folklore mauls him. Cole, horribly wounded, awaits his demise. His fury gives way to humility in his thinking. He has to accept responsibility for his life and quit blaming others in order to live. While rescuers come to save Cole's body, it's possible that the Spirit Bear's attack will preserve Cole's soul.

Ben Mikaelsen questions a world in which enraged individuals make victims of their friends and communities while delving into the causes of his anger and presents a compelling portrait of a young criminal. A moving example of how suffering has the ability to either destroy or heal is Touching Spirit Bear.