Figurative Language
"The waves, the shoreline, the trees, the bay, all existed like parts of a puzzle." (43)
simile compares nature with a puzzle with "like"
"'Keep staring, I'll kill you,' he shouted." (44)
After Cole wakes up on the island, he sees Spirit Bear and threatens to kill the bear because the bear isn't afraid of Cole.
"Well, Champ, you've been accepted for Circle Justice." (32)
Garvey
Is Cole a juvenile delinquent?
In the book Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, Cole is a dangerous juvenile delinquent.
"a massive white bear stood as motionless as a statue" (44)
simile compares Spirit Bear with a statue using "as"
"he was alone, totally alone with himself. And it scared him."(43)
After failing to escape and laying on the ground in the darkness, Cole is afraid because he is all alone and he hates feeling isolated.
"If death stares you straight in the face, believe me, son, you'll get scared." (17)
Edwin
In the book Touching Spirit Bear, Cole's anger impairs his ability to make good decisions.
"a giant invisible hand pushed him two strokes backward" (41)
personification the tide pushes Cole back toward the shoreline
"It was the next voice that made Cole explode." (46)
During a Circle Justice meeting, Cole yells out that his father whips him until he can't hide the bruises because his father said that he has devoted his life to Cole.
"This feather symbolizes respect and responsibility. No one must speak without this feather." (38)
The Keeper of Justice Circle
Why does Garvey give Cole the at.oow?
In the book Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, Garvey gives Cole the at.oow as a sign of trust and so that Cole feels connected to those who have come before him.
"when he awoke, darkness still hid the island" (43)
personification the dark night hides the land
"She waved it like a wand" (46)
During a Justice Circle meeting in Minneapolis, Peter's lawyer pointed the feather at Cole because she wanted to emphasize how dangerous he is.
"'That's bull! ... You drink until you can't stand up'" (46)
Cole
Why does Garvey bring the cake ingredients to Cole in the detention center in chapter 3?
In chapter 3 of Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, Garvey brings the cake ingredients and a piece of cake to Cole to teach him a lesson about life.
his legs, worthless anchors, pulled behind him (42)
metaphor Cole's legs are compared to anchors on a boat
"With every stroke forward, a giant invisible hand had pushed him two strokes into the bay." (41)
When Cole tries to leave the remote Alaskan island, he is struggling to swim out of the bay because the tide is coming in.
"'Think about it, Einstein. What if it turns out you're nothing more than a baby-faced con? ... A lot of people have already paid dearly for your anger and lies.'" (21)
Garvey
How does Cole feel about Peter when he sees him at Circle Justice in chapter 5?
In the chapter 5 of Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, Cole's feelings about Peter change throughout the chapter.(In the chapter 5 of Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, he has a roller coaster of feelings about Peter.)