Deep in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest, little Sitka embarks on a journey that will change his life forever. He must track down the truth about who he is and risk his life in the process. The closer Sitka gets to his quest, the more the danger grows. Can Sitka handle the secret once it is finally revealed?Join him in this amazing adventure as Sitka finds out where he belongs, his true purpose, and a message of hope for his Clan and the World.

In his Nautilus Award-winning classic Touching Spirit Bear, author Ben Mikaelson delivers a powerful coming-of-age story of a boy who must overcome the effects that violence has had on his life. After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given another option: attend Circle Justice, an alternative program that sends juvenile offenders to a remote Alaskan Island to focus on changing their ways. Desperate to avoid prison, Cole fakes humility and agrees to go. While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his own anger cause him to examine his actions and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and, most importantly, from himself. Ben Mikaelsen paints a vivid picture of a juvenile offender, examining the roots of his anger without absolving him of responsibility for his actions, and questioning a society in which angry people make victims of their peers and communities. Touching Spirit Bear is a poignant testimonial to the power of a pain that can destroy, or lead to healing. A strong choice for independent reading, sharing in the classroom, homeschooling, and book groups.

Max continues in this epic adventure visiting his grandfather in the Great Bear Wilderness, a region so remote that humans are the rare species, but bears are not. One particular bear, the Spirit Bear, actually a "black" bear is white and a subject of legend. Only a few have been sighted. Max's curiosity gets the better of him. He wanders from the safety of his grandfather's cabin, soon to be lost in the wilderness. A chance encounter brings Max and Tonkawa, a young Spirit Bear, together, who has also wandered away from the safety of his home. Both lost, they find each other. As night descends, they hunker down for the night, knowing their parents must be desperately looking for them. Protecting young from harm is universal amongst parents, bears and humans alike. Although Tonkawa has been taught to fear humans, and soon Max and Tonkawa find themselves depending upon each other for survival. Max and Tonkawa soon become friends and teach each other cool things that neither knew about. Soon Tonkawa learns that not all humans are dangerous to their survival. Upon being reunited, and considered naïve, Tonkawa struggles to explain to his bear clan that together - bears and humans - can help protect the Great Bear Wilderness. But all of that is soon to change when an oil tanker runs around, spilling its toxic oil, threatening the wilderness - its coast lines and the salmon runs the bears depend upon. It seems like the adult bears' fears appear justified. In a surprising alliance, Max enlists Grandpa's friends in a desperate but heroic attempt to save Great Bear Wilderness from imminent destruction. This story illustrates that the youngest - children - can teach adults, both bear and human, that our prejudices and fear of each other is not necessary. We hold in common shared interests to help protect the natural environment and ultimately each other.

Alone in the wilderness, Cole found peace. But he's not alone anymore. Cole Matthews used to be a violent kid, but a year in exile on a remote Alaskan island has a way of changing your perspective. After being mauled by a Spirit Bear, Cole started to heal. He even invited his victim, Peter Driscal, to join him on the island and they became friends. But now their time in exile is over, and Cole and Peter are heading back to the one place they're not sure they can handle: high school. Gangs and violence haunt the hallways, and Peter's limp and speech impediment make him a natural target. In a school where hate and tension are getting close to the boiling point, the monster of rage hibernating inside Cole begins to stir. Ben Mikaelsen's riveting saga of survival and self-awareness continues in the sequel to his gripping Touching Spirit Bear. This time, he weaves a tale of urban survival where every day is a struggle to stay sane. As the problems in his school grow worse, Cole realizes that it's not enough just to change himself. He has to change his world.

Slocum is offered a job protecting a small wagon train hoping to strike it rich in the Colorado mines. Just before the Rockies, they are attacked by a group of otherworldly creatures that rise out of the ground and can disappear into thin air. The creatures are led by unearthly Spirit Bear, who has sworn to kill anyone who crosses his land. Original.