Ghost of Spirit Bear (Spirit Bear, 2)

I enjoyed this book as much as Spirit Bear it was great to see the story come to an end in a positive way. Uplifting and encouraging!These two should be mandatory reading for school age students.

I am born in the United States but still a person of English Second Language. I can read, write and speak to a native english speaker but my English isn't always good. This is one of the books that made a huge impact in my life even if this book is not as good as the first book.

My son read this for his 6th grade independent reading book, so take it for what it's worth. His thought was that the plot was "ok".

If you've got a six or seventh grade reluctant reader, this book could be a game changer. My students loved this book and were totally into it. It really explores the characters' perspectives. It does deal with a brutal beating of one character, anger issues (on the part of the attacker), justice, and the victims perspective. This book also explores what parents on both sides dealt with. My kids and I had great discussions during reading it, and it really opened the dialogue with my students about actions and feelings. I say it's worth it. Loved it.

I teach 6th grade English and we read Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen this year. The kids loved the first book so much, they begged me to get this one. I ordered 5 copies. They came quickly, and the were devoured by my students in a matter of days. All giving this sequel two thumbs up! I highly recommend this if your middle grader loved the first book, or anything written by Mr. Mikaelsen. Do note, the book makes more sense if you have read the first one. So make sure to grab that too!

I'm very torn on this book because I think there are some fairly good messages in it, but at the same time, it endorses some things I don't like.As for the things I like, this book has a strong message of justice, forgiveness, and taking your life into your own hands. Those are really valuable things for teens to learn - that they CAN make change if they persevere. It did a very good job following up on how the lessons Cole learned in the island don't translate directly into the real world, which I think is very helpful in digesting how YOU as the reader can implement change in your own behavior, even if you can't move to a remote island.The things I didn't like about this book, however, are a little more varied.I understand that certain things about Cole are based on his past, but I think there was an unrealistic teetering between his delinquent personality and his reformed personality. His aggression toward Garvey when Garvey won't spell things out for him was excessive. I feel like it would be more realistic for him to be passively annoyed about it rather than lashing out. He's known Garvey a long time at this point and he knows from experience that he's incredible wise and experienced. Everything he says has meaning and with the number of times he's proven to be right, I find it unrealistic that Cole would have so little faith in him. One moment, Cole is yelling at Garvey over the phone saying he doesn't know what he's talking about and the next, he's preaching forgiveness and understanding. I know people are flawed, but this seemed more like the author had a vision for the good and changed person Cole was supposed to be but felt he needed to balance it out. Except, in the balancing process, he overcorrected to outward aggression when it would have made more sense for his aggression to be suppressed.The next thing I didn't like about this book is subjective, but something I feel very strongly about. As someone who grew up in an abusive household, I do NOT like that this book endorses trying to help your abuser. I don't think there's anything wrong with being cordial toward an abuser in the occasion that you come across them, but this book actively encourages its readers to reach out. I think the author had good intentions with this, but the target audience is very impressionable and in the real world, a very high percentage of abusers will not change. There are many that do, but encouraging a teenager, who for all intents and purposes is a child, to reach out and take responsibility for their abusive, adult parent, is horrible writing. Accepting an apology and reconnecting after an abuser has already changed their behavior and wishes to right their wrongs is one thing, but trying to fix them when they're still unrepentant and blaming everyone around them is absolutely detrimental to the healing process of an abuser survivor. Abuse survivors already have serious problems with trying to help their abusers, because it's almost always someone they love (like a parent or significant other). This is one of the reasons the cycle of abuse is so hard to break free of. Having a book encourage this in the band of love and healing is the main reason I knocked my rating down to two stars. I absolutely can't endorse this.The next thing I didn't like about this book was how sensationalist it felt. There was this constant feeling that Cole was some kind of saint because of his experiences. I know that's not how it was meant to come across, but let me tell you, as a teenager - and even now as a young adult - I would have hated him. He became one of those people who seems like he's on a high horse, constantly regaling his story of redemption in a way that feels like he's trying to show off how 'wise' he is for his age. Teenagers hate that shit. There is absolutely no way that an entire school of students would have backed him when he came off like some kind of holier than thou wiseass. Teenagers in particular, find people like that to be obnoxious. That's why I'd you try to preach your Christianity or something at school, other students will steer clear of you or bully you. It's downright annoying.The last thing I didn't like about this book was the ending. The author uses coincidence and what was seemingly supernatural to tie up loose ends. It didn't feel satisfying to me and it felt like a cop-out.All in all, this book had decent parts to it but I cannot recommend it. I know next to nothing about the author's personal life, but this whole book came off like an abuser's 'we can change if you just stick around and get hit long enough' wet dream.

Simply amazing! Gave me goosebumps. Made me cry. Even made me jump for joy! Healing the world begins with healing ourselves. Helping our children find their true path. Is a great place to start. Our youth is our future! Simply a must read! I truly hope someone great makes it a movie! To help get the teaching out there and expand the Circle!

I didn’t think this book was really necessary. It was cool to see the aftermath of the island and how Peter and Cole’s relationship grew, but the book was missing the depth that I loved from the first one. My 7th grade students enjoyed the book though!

I loved the story and message in Touching Spirit Bear, and this followup was satisfying. Seeing Peter and Cole try and survive the wilderness that is the real world of school and bullying was a nice pace. It was short, but sweet. The ending was a little "hollywood" feel good ending, but it made sense for Cole's jouney. A nice conclusion.

Great story of indigenous principles, keeps my kids engaged. Just as good as the first novel.

It was an okay follow up to a great book. But sadly it lacked in being realistic and imagination compared to the first book.

A fantastic novel to follow Touching Spirit Bear by the same author. It shows the results of circle justice once the banishment is over....really takes hold. Be sure to read both novels and share with teens everywhere. There's something for everyone.

I am a big fan of Touching Spirit Bear and was excited to receive the second book. It is disappointing that the book came damaged.