1. Touching Spirit Bear A-Z Book!
By Mrs. Hill

2. A is for arraignment
“The last time Cole had seen him, the judge had been wearing a black robe at the arraignment hearing in juvenile court where Cole first pleaded guilty” (36).
Definition: a calling into question or a finding fault, especially with respect to the value or virtue of something; critical examination. (dictionary.com)

3. C is for COLE Cole is the protagonist of Touching Spirit Bear.
He is a round character because he has physical, emotional, and background character traits. For example, he is angry because he feels like his parents don’t love him.
He is a dynamic character because he begins his story as a juvenile delinquent who blames others for his problems but learns to be responsible.
“Cole gripped the spear so hard his knuckles hurt. A lifetime of hurt, a lifetime of proving himself, a lifetime of anger controlled his muscles now” (64).

4. M is for Man vs Nature Man = Cole; Nature = Spirit Bear
Inciting incident: Cole threatens Spirit Bear
Rising Action: Spirit Bear attacks Cole, injuring him badly
Climax: the Spirit Bear returns to Cole and lets Cole pet him.
Falling action: Cole gets taken to medical attention. People don’t believe he saw the Spirit Bear. Cole returns to the island.
Resolution: Cole lets his experience with the Bear make him a better person.

5. S is for simile
“Or did life just flicker out like a dim candle?” (72).
This simile is significant because Cole is pondering his own death after he is badly injured. It shows a major turning point for his character as he transforms from selfish child to responsible adult.

6. T is for Tlingit
The Tlingit are the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, specifically Alaska. “Tlingit” means human beings. They are hunter-gatherers who place a large emphasis on family and denote status based on characteristics such as generosity. They speak their own language and their art incorporates spirituality into all things, even simple objects. In the book, Cole commits a crime, and, in lieu of jail time, opts to undergo a Tlingit tradition of justice. Two main characters, Edwin and Garvey are Tlingit.