Wang, Bella ed. No, said Cole, his voice trembling. choose the ones that are most thought-provoking. - After he goes to the hospital he goes back to the island and everyone lived happily ever after the end. It seemed a bizarre dream to be standing alone on this rocky hillside in Alaska with a round stone at his feet, his mind filled with thoughts so totally different from anything hed known running around on the streets back in Minneapolis. Everybody is a part of the healing, including people from the communityanybody who cares. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. "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. This attack almost kills Cole, and he lies on the forest floor for hours wondering if he will live. As a child in Bolivia, Mikaelsen grew up speaking Spanish as his first language and experienced prejudice and discrimination for being one of the only white people in his village. This was all somebody elses fault. This time he caught Peter Driscal in the parking lot and smashed his head against the sidewalk. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Edwin meets Garvey and Cole in Drake, Alaska. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear, Copyright 2018 Cole insists that the best way to heal Peter is to have him come to the island and see how Cole has changed. I love this book! How could have ever thought he truly controlled anything? Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear, 2. "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. Those who focus on anger will always be angry. Dont forget that. [] You arent the only creature here. that we have the best of both worlds at BookQuoters; we read books cover-to-cover but Why?, If someone is treated as if his life is worthless, he begins to believe it.. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Spirit Bears are American black bears with a rare recessive gene that gives them white or buff coats. 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? This website helped me pass! People like Peters lady lawyer. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear 8 likes Like "Happiness, like anger, is also a habit. After years of violence and trouble with the law, Cole took his criminal streak a step too far when he viciously beat a classmate of his named Peter Driscal onto the floor of his school sidewalk. It takes nearly dying for Cole to begin learning his place in lifes circle. Mikaelsen describes. In his first few days on the island, he has several encounters with a majestic, white bear called a Spirit Bear, and he is determined to kill it out of anger. Cole stays calm and gives Peter all the time and patience he needs. Instant PDF downloads. Circle Justice sends Cole to live on an Alaskan island for a year, and he fails the first time; the second time, Cole learns to heal and forgive, as well as to accept his place as part of nature. The responsibility for these actions, for Cole, always lies with others. But his life isnt worthless, Cole protested. This quote illustrates the connection between nature's lessons and personal growth that is present throughout the novel. Cole lies on the forest floor clinging to life as a storm rolls in. 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.'' Im dead.. When Cole arrives on the island, he is consumed by anger, bitterness, and an unwillingness to change. Cole exhibits this trait on page 65 when he throws a wood spear at the spirit bear. After moving to Montana and becoming involved with his local Fish and Game office, Mikaelsen adopted a declawed black bear cub that was going to be euthanized otherwise. (9.8) When he's attacked by Spirit Bear (after trying to kill the creature in the first place), Cole still thinks he's innocent. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. He couldnt help but think how many thousands of times he had done the same to people. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. "He turned to Edwin. Peter and Cole decide to go to the soaking pond by themselves, and while there, Peter angrily confronts Cole. Somehow this gets him shipped out to a remote island in Southeast Alaska to be outdoorsy for a year, mostly alone but occasionally visited by Tlingit mentors who disgorge a steady stream of tough love and folksy wisdom. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, and Red Dice, A civilization has the ethics it can afford. typical of the Information Age but is a habit disdained by some diehard readers. But healing is much harder than standard punishment. He soaked as long as he could, his calmness shaken by how terrified Peter was of him. The Question and Answer section for Touching Spirit Bear is a great We assign a color and icon like this one. Many of the lessons Edwin and Garvey teach Cole. They hate me. Healing requires taking responsibility for your actions.". Garvey teaches Cole that life is what he makes it, showing him how to turn a simple hot dog into a celebratory feast. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear 4 likes Like "Our differences should be our strength, not why we fight." Ben Mikaelsen, Ghost of Spirit Bear 2 likes Like "Simple question,' Uncle Todd repeated. It inspects Cole, and Cole reaches out to touch it. He couldnt take away all the memories.. quote from Touching Spirit Bear, Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. Edwin said that Bernie could not believe it himself and that his friend would never lie. Frantic, Cole struggled to fly, but he couldnt escape the nest. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. This delinquent has been in trouble with the law since he was a mere child. "Touching Spirit Bear Quotes and Analysis". Remember that.. -Graham S. Restorative justice is, as the novel explains, a method of helping offenders and victims heal through communication. All white. Nobody is, he said. Being invisible meant not being sensed or felt.. By dawn, he's hanging on by a thread. I don't care anymore.'' 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. The sparrows were so frail, helpless, and innocent. Or did his? 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. Theres a lot you can learn from it. We learn that Coles alcoholic father physically abused Cole while he was growing up. 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. This story weaves some Native American mythology and customs into the troubled life of teen Cole Matthews. He beats up one of his classmates, a boy named Peter, and as a result of this beating, Peter has permanent damage. Great descriptions and meaningful changes in the protagonist. So you think this is all his fault, huh? asked Edwin. What does this prove? Cole learns to control that anger, and in doing so, he learns how to take responsibility for his actions and care for others. 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. Touching Spirit Bear Quotes and Analysis "Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. the BookQuoters community. As summer approaches, the boys continue to interact, with Peter continuing to be reluctant to forgive Cole. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear, 6. Those who focus on happiness will- there are only two things wrong with me-everything I do and everything I say. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Cole: [Peters] never going to forgive me., Garvey: Think how much your arm and hip still hurt. If you kill my cat, you need to become more sensitive to animals. Buffy the bear lived with Mikaelsen until his death in 2012; Buffy inspired. Touching Spirit Bear study guide contains a biography of Ben Mikaelsen, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. These vices certainly continue to trouble Cole in the second half of the book, but this quote gives an insight into his process of learning and growth through Circle Justice. When Cole arrives on the island, he is defiant, angry, untrusting, and violent. "How come everything is always about you? Besides, this wouldn't have happened if Peter had kept his mouth shut.'' You learn to be happy one day at a time. However, Cole's acts of aggression are not always necessarily violent but are sometimes done in an attempt to demean or demoralize those around him or out of misplaced anger. A blur of white motion deflected the shaft down into the grass as the bear lunged. if we were just judging the first half of this book, the rating would be higher. Cole has been stealing and fighting for years. He goes to court. Create your account, 6 chapters | "He turned to Edwin. It is during this time that the Spirit Bear reappears, but only briefly. Rather than backing up out of fear, ''a lifetime of hurt, a lifetime of proving himself, a lifetime of anger controlled his muscles now. The first day he burns down the shelter. As Cole imitated the breaching of the humpback whale, he thought of this insight. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. He may not be ready to forgive you., Garvey rubbed the back of his neck, then glanced up toward the ceiling. Despite what their name might imply, American black bears only sport black coats about 70 percent of the time. In his efforts the reader gets to reflect on his or her own faults and analyze the anger or animosity he or she may be harboring towards other. Edwin comes from Alaska to defend Cole and insist that he should be given a second chance to live on the island. The novel begins as a teenage boy named Cole is on a skiff with two Tlingit men, Garvey and Edwin, traveling to a remote Alaskan island. 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. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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. It wasnt like he had meant to hurt anyone. Do you know what it's like waking up every morning knowing you're not good enough? He fashions a spear to kill it, but the next time they meet, the bear attacks him instead. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. All he could do was open his beak wide and raise it upward toward the sky, the action a simple admission that he was powerless. Thats all he ever knew. He had always been this weak. Left to die after the attack, Cole comes to realize his own vulnerability and need to change. A whale migrates but it doesnt have a homeI feel like the whale.. 'I wasn't lying.' Deliberately, he raised his hand and tossed the hair into the water. As Cole stared at the tiny bodies, sadness flooded through him. It is only after he gets mauled close to death by a mysterious bear of Native American legend that he begins accept responsibility for his actions and change for the better. This was the first year I actually got to teach the book and I'm glad. Several months later, Peter attacks Cole in a violent way. Within Cole Matthews lies anger, rage and hate. ", all my parents do is drink. How to help Peter heal is something that will haunt you and stay in your thoughts like a sliver under your skin. They decided to give him to circle justice, a peace group. He suggests that Peter should begin to make his own totem, because ''when you carve, it gives you time to think.''. But Cole felt alone and apart. Complete your free account to request a guide. Though restorative justice has roots in Native cultures in New Zealand and in North America (notably in the Tlingit Nation, of which Edwin and Garvey in the novel are members), it began to rise in popularity in the 1990s. Until then, Ill never be able to carve anything in the blank space. This is a phenomenal book. Unless Peter forgives you, he wont heal., If the Driscals realize that the Circle allows them to have a voice in decisions, and that forgiveness can help Peter to heal, they may also join the Circle., You mean they might help decide my sentence?, Theyll hang me, Cole said. If it werent for his parents, Peter, and the stupid Healing Circle, he wouldnt even be here. ''As the blows pummeled him, Cole's own anger smoldered. After reaching a sort of internal emotional equilibrium, Cole realizes that to really, truly heal, he must find a way to help Peter do the same. As Cole lies there dying himself, he realizes that as long as he is alive, he has choices. He hated her. Not now.'' He had no control. 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 There, Cole is mauled by the Spirit Bear, a mystical creature. I read this book with my students during reading class and they really enjoyed it. He blames the world for his problems and takes no responsibility for how his life is turning out. I dont think Ill ever heal from what I did to you, but Im sorry, Peter. All white. Anger is a memory never forgotten. quote from Touching Spirit Bear, Why live if you cant help others and make the world a better place? 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 . Do you know what it's like waking up every morning knowing you're not good enough? They were crazy if they thought he was going to spend a whole year of his life like some animal, trapped on a remote Alaskan island.. Touching Spirit Bear Important Quotes 1. The hair was white. "Edwin tapped Cole's shoulder with the broken stick. Edwin says that Bernie, a fisherman, had scene a bear of Cole's description near the spot wear Cole was molested. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. At first, he did this only to avoid jail. Back in Minneapolis, Cole was arrested and charged for violently assaulting a boy named Peter Driscal after Peter reported Cole for stealing. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides. Aamboli.com | All Rights Reserved. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Ben Mikaelsen, Touching Spirit Bear, 3. Cole reaches out to touch the bear and grabs a tuft of white hair from its back. Do you know what it's like waking up every morning knowing you're not good enough? Peter sustained severe and permanent brain injuries that affected his speech and movement, and Cole was going to receive jail time. 'It's true,' he whispered. This thought drifted about in his head but failed to gain meaning. 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. Touching Spirit Bear is a great book to utilize when learning about symbols because much of the symbolism is deliberately explained in the story. Beginning today, he would tell the truth. He agrees to attend Healing Circle with Garvey to avoid jail, but he does not take the healing process seriously at first. despite the fact that Cole, himself, is in pain. Cole also learns to perform animal dances, using each one as a learning experience and then carving the animal into his totem pole. "Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself." One day Cole runs into a fellow classmate, Peter, and fights him. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. 1: The Last Vampire, Black Blood, and Red Dice, Larry Niven, quote from Lucifer's Hammer. Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself., He turned to Edwin. There were no conditions, no vices, no lies, no deceit, no manipulation. | 2 I will also find my boys from last year who struggled to find something "good" to read and demand they read this! Paramahansa Yogananda, quote from Autobiography of a Yogi, He so did not sit down and have a proper talk with her. Cole Matthews. Throughout this time, Cole tries to be supportive of the boy whom he once savagely beat and spat upon. Sometimes people hurt each other trying to figure things out. Cole gazed into the flames. Sophie Kinsella, quote from I've Got Your Number, You can never hate strongly unless you have loved strongly 'Well, you're never deserving of any more respect in life than you give. It reminded him of the bears blood on the knife blade beside him. Nature is a pervasive theme in Touching Spirit Bear. He remembers lying in front of everyone, his father doing the same, and the people at the Circle doubting his ability to change. Cole has frequent flashbacks to his experiences at the Healing Circle that influence his thoughts and actions. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. This story was okay. Cole is given a chance in "Circle Justice" in which he lives in isolation on an Alaskan island for one year. He is mauled by the Bear after Cole attempts to kill it, and lies on the island alone until some members of Circle Justice come to check on him. Im part of some big circle that I dont understand. Mom said his parents beat him up, too. You only tame it., Why live if you cant help others and make the world a better place?, People change two ways --- with slow persistent pressure, or with a single and sudden traumatic experience., How much of the world did people miss because they were not calm enough, empty enough, to experience it?, Animals can teach us more about ourselves than any teacher., Happiness, like anger, is also a habit. Whatever you do to the animals, you do to yourself. Struggling with distance learning? 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. It had good description but it could have been better. The story tells of a boy, Cole, who has an extremely misguided life due to his family situation. They'll never be happy until I'm dead 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. He faces his problems head on and invites Peter to the island. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen. We feel Cole arrives on the island with bravado and a sense of entitlement. Youre part of a much bigger circle. "That's because those people still think you can get rid of the left end of the stick." But habits change hard. Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 Summary and Analysis. Cole thinks this phrase as he carries out the "ancestor rock" ritual where he carries a big stone representing his life and those who have come before him up a hill, only to roll it back down as a representation of him letting go of his anger. Peter is reluctant and cautious for months, but he slowly starts speaking to and allowing himself to be in the company of Cole. In the past, everything had always been afraid of him. His words would become his only proof" (112). He is routinely abused by his father and the abuse leads to a deep, constant anger that Cole can't control. Join today and never see them again. 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?'' But healing is much harder than standard punishment. He grabs a tuft of the bears fur, and the bear nods in understanding before wandering off. Founded in 2023, BookQuoters has quickly become a large and vibrant community of people This includes his father (who beats him), his mother (who ignores the beatings), and the world in general. Those who focus on anger will always be angry. In Ben Mikaelsen's Touching Spirit Bear, Edwin is a Tlingit elder. Nobody knew what it was like living with parents who wished he wasnt alive., Do you know what its like waking up every morning knowing youre not good enough? Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. You learn to be happy one day at a time. People are just scared and do bad things. Content Warning: This guide contains references to substance use disorder, physical abuse and bullying, suicidal ideation, and incarceration. I think its a matter of pride. In this system, the goal is to focus on the whole person and. And so worth your time, guy or girl. 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. Based on the Justice Circles performed by the natives in Alaska, this story involves a young man named Cole. Ive never done anything to him., Garvey smiled. Chapter 8. He soaks in the pond, carries the stone, and spends his days working hard. You only tame it. Our surroundings and other people only affect us if we let them for good or for bad. Peter and Cole carve a circle into Coles totem pole to symbolize the circular nature and interconnectedness of life. He didnt trust anyone who wasnt afraid of him. I did care about you. As Cole lies there dying himself, he realizes that as long as he is alive, he has choices. Im sorry youve gone through all you have. Peter then has speech and coordination issues. 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. the second half of this book really just irritated me, and made me wary of reading the sequel, which i have already purchased. One theme suggested in the book is everyone has anger, but you must learn to control it. Never in his life had he felt so exposed, so vulnerable, so helpless. Edwin turned to Cole. This book is about a juvenile boy named Cole. As stated on page 12 of the Touching Spirit Bear novel, Garvey quotes, "Everybody is part of the healing, including people from the community-anybody who cares. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Cole is always angry, at his parents, at other people, and about how much he hates his life. All of the landscape, the air, the trees, the animals, the water, the rain, all seemed to be part of something bigger. Peters parents bring him to the island. Besides, this wouldnt have happened if Peter had kept his mouth shut. Quotes From Touching Spirit Bear 1114 Words | 5 Pages "There in the palm of his hand was a wad of hair. But helping others is how I help myself., Garvey nodded. Those who focus on happiness will-" - Even while still in the hospital, Edwin warns Cole that ''a person is never done being mad. Meaghan has taught high school English and has a master's degree in Secondary English Education. These rituals include dance, soaking in a cold pool, and carrying the ancestor rock up a hill only to release it, and his anger, at the top. A bear with half a brain would have turned tail and run. "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." Its up to him. 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