In English 11, we have been reading Ben Mikaelsen’s Touching Spirit Bear, not a hard-read, but a definite good read. Why teach this book at this level, a book taught by so many teachers at a lower grade?
Last year, when I read this soul-stirring novel in one night, it captivated me, and I decided then that this masterpiece would be the class-read for my A Pioneer Never Quits unit. The pioneer in this novel, though, is not Cole Matthews, the main character, a punk, a bully, a young person in definite conflict with himself.
The pioneer is Garvey, a parole officer. He never quits…even when he sits down and refuses to help Cole rebuild the cabin that this rebel intentionally burnt to the ground. (Yes, cutting off his own nose to spite his face.) Sitting down, though, in this case, is the best example of not quitting. Imagine that.
Garvey pioneers by not giving up on Cole. This man, a promoter of the Circle of Justice, is the constant that Cole has never had in his life.
Does Cole like Garvey? No. An understatement. Yet from day one, a respect is there.
Sometimes…well, sometimes, that is all one needs or can expect out of such characters.
So a note to teachers out there who have Coles in your life who do not like you. That’s okay…just make sure they respect you.
Then read Touching Spirit Bear to further understand why you and Garvey truly are pioneers…pioneers that never quit.
And, by the way…thanks!
Special thanks to our educational coop and Ms. Becky for loaning us a set of these books!
Originally posted on Treasure Chest of Thoughts on September 25, 2008.
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