# Touching Spirit Bear

**Author:** Ben Mikaelsen
**Grade range:** Grades 6–9
**Age range:** 11–14
**First published:** 2001
**Page count:** 241
**Genre:** Realistic Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9781432838430`
**ISBN-10:** `0380805606`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/touching-spirit-bear
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Ben Mikaelsen's 2001 novel follows Cole Matthews, a violent teenager sent to a remote Alaskan island under a Native American justice circle instead of prison. After a savage encounter with a white Spirit Bear leaves him near death, Cole begins the long, painful work of confronting his rage and learning to heal.

## Themes

- survival
- nature
- courage
- justice

## Where this book is assigned

### California Young Reader Medal

- **recommended** · 6th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)

### Nebraska Golden Sower Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Nebraska — [source: Nebraska Library Association — Golden Sower Award (student-choice; Honeybee grades 3-5 + Meadowlark grades 6-9; annual since 1981)](https://nebraskalibraries.org/GoldenSower)

### North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)

### Sunshine State Young Readers Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Florida — [source: Florida Department of Education + Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) — Sunshine State Young Readers Award, grades 3-5 + 6-8 (student-choice; since 1983); winner roll](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/4518-sunshine-state-young-readers-award)

### Wisconsin Golden Archer Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · Wisconsin — [source: Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association — Golden Archer Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Middle/Junior High; annual since 1974)](https://www.wemta.org/golden-archer-award.html)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Wisconsin — [source: Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association — Golden Archer Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Middle/Junior High; annual since 1974)](https://www.wemta.org/golden-archer-award.html)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Wisconsin — [source: Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association — Golden Archer Award (student-choice; Intermediate + Middle/Junior High; annual since 1974)](https://www.wemta.org/golden-archer-award.html)

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