Quotes From Touching Spirit Bear

Bad Decisions, Can Cause A lot of Harm

I am reading Touching Spirit Bear, by Ben Mikaelsen. I have enjoyed reading the book so far. The book is about a boy named Cole whose parents have not treated him very well, so he makes poor decisions. One of the decisions he made was beating up a boy at school to the point where he was bleeding and helpless. This decision that he made caused him to either be tried as an adult at court, or to be part of the circle of justice program, which would require him to be by himslef on an island and he would have to fend for himself and this would hopefully get him to be in touch with his inner peace. When cole got to the island he was not positive about it at all. It stated “Cole felt his anger

smoldering. Soon it would explode like gunpowder”(24). It seems like cole doesn’t really want to change and be more peaceful. It almost seems like he wishes he could just be in jail, and just serve the time instead of trying to solve his problems. My favorite character so far is Garvey. Garvey is the person who is trying to help Cole change, Garvey is always visiting Cole trying to get him to be more positive. Even when Cole is totally blowing off Garvey he still is always there trying to help. I like Garvey's Characteristics because I think it is great that he is putting so much effort to try and help Cole.

I really don’t understand the scene when Cole burnt all the supplies he was given, to stay on the island. Cole was mad in this scene and poured gasoline all over his supplies and lit a match and all the supplies burnt up. I don't understand this because I don't know why you would burn the things that are meant to help you stay alive. When Cole stated “ You don’t get it do you? My parents are divorced and they don’t give a rat is I live or die” (27) It made me feel bad for him because that is the main reason why is the way he is, I hope that later in the story he finds someone who cares about him or realizes how much garvey cares about him. I dislike his parents because they just became drunks and treat Cole poorly, which is unfair and not right for his parents to do. I think if Cole realized that he is doing the same thing his parents are doing to him, to others such as when he beat up the boy from school, Cole had mentioned that his parents had beat him up and no he is beating up kids at school. I noticed a lot in the story so far

that his parents mis treating him has bothered him a lot.

It seems like everything he does in the story he is also thinking about his parents. This story is very realistic because everyday lots of children are being mistreated by their parents and are ending up to be the same way as Cole. I think the author of this book wants us to think about that and realise that the situation Cole is in is an actual thing, and not just some made up idea. This is one of the reasons why I am enjoying this book so much. This book makes you think about the actions Cole is making and is sometimes unpredictable what Cole is about to do.I think later on in the book Cole will realize the mistake he made by burning all of his materials they supplied for him and now he will have to try to make a new shelter and put a lot more work into trying to survive then he would if he would have just kept the supplies he received. In conclusion so far I would recommend this book to almost anyone. I think almost anyone would have a good time reading this book this book is realistic, it is action packed, makes you think all the time about what is going to take place next and most importantly it is an interesting book that makes you actually want to read it and not make you so bored that you space off, so I

have enjoyed this book so far and I think you would to.