Most Popular Books by Ben Mikaelsen

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.

Twelve-year-old Koby, who has lost a foot in an accident, sees a chance to prove her self-reliance to her parents when she tries to rescue two stranded pilot whales near her home in the Florida Keys.

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR BEN MIKAELSEN DANGER IN SPACE! Separated by country and culture, will danger unite Elliot, a young astronaut, and Vincent, a Maasai herder? When NASA selected Elliot to be the first teen in space, he eagerly anticipated the day he would board the space shuttle Endeavour. After intense preparations, Elliot never expected anything to go wrong on his voyage, but when danger threatens, the only contact he has, via shortwave radio, is with Vincent, a Maasai boy in Kenya. The two can''t agree on anything. When the Endeavour makes an emergency landing on the coast of West Africa and Elliot''s life is hanging in the balance, can he and Vincent reconcile their cultural differences and become friends? "Mikaelsen weaves a provocative message through his novel and blends two fast-paced stories into a single, powerful whole." —Booklist (starred review)

They call Gabriela Tree Girl. Gabi climbs trees to be within reach of the eagles and watch the sun rise into an empty sky. She is at home among the outstretched branches of the Guatemalan forests. Then one day from the safety of a tree, Gabi witnesses the sights and sounds of an unspeakable massacre. She vows to be Tree Girl no more and joins the hordes of refugees struggling to reach the Mexican border. She has lost her whole family; her entire village has been wiped out. Yet she clings to the hope that she will be reunited with her youngest sister, Alicia. Over dangerous miles and months of hunger and thirst, Gabriela''s search for Alicia and for a safe haven becomes a search for self. Having turned her back on her own identity, can she hope to claim a new life? Ages 12+

CALIFORNIA YOUNG READERS'' MEDAL WINNER A DARING RESCUE —or a deadly risk? Ever since Josh''s older brother died, his father has been drinking too much and taking his anger out on Josh. But when he orphans a bear cub, it''s more than Josh can stand. Josh insists on rescuing the bear cub—only to find that he must surrender it to game officials. Knowing the cub will be sent to a research labou00adratory, Josh makes a defiant choice. Taking only his brother''s motorcycle, the cub, and his dog, Josh runs away to the mountains, vowing to stay until the hunting laws are changed. But the mountains hold unexpected menace, and Josh''s bid for justice soon becomes a battle to survive. "A fast and suspenseful survival story."—Bulletin, Center for Children''s Books • International Reading Association Award Winner • Western Writers of America Spur Award Winner • California Young Readers'' Medal Winner • Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award Winner • CBC/IRA Favorite Paperback for 1994

When guerrilla soldiers strike Santiago''s village, they destroy everything in their path -- including his home and family. Santiago and his four-year-old sister escape, running for their lives. But the only way they can be truly safe is to leave Guatemala behind forever. So Santiago and Angelina set sail in a sea kayak their Uncle Ramos built while dreaming of his own escape. Sailing through narrow channels guarded by soldiers, shark-infested waters, and days of painful heat and raging storms, Santiago and Angelina face an almost impossible voyage hundreds of miles across the open ocean, heading for the hope of a new life in the United States.

In 1922 Petey, who has cerebral palsy, is misdiagnosed as an idiot and institutionalized; sixty years later, still in the institution, he befriends a boy and shares with him the joy of life.

In this riveting sequel to the award-winning Touching Spirit Bear , readers will be captivated by a "hugely satisfying resolution" ( Booklist ). Cole Matthews faced death and survived a remote Alaskan island, where he was sentenced to a year of exile after beating another boy. Now, having made peace with himself and his victim, Peter Driscal, Cole must face his biggest challenge: high school. 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. "Gripping and fast moving." — KLIATT

When thirteen-year-old Ricky Diaz discovers that his mother was murdered by drug dealers, he''s desperate for revenge. But his father, a former drug enforcement agent, refuses the mission the DEA now offers: to steal an airplane with an American-made radar detector that the cartel uses to smuggle drugs from Mexico. Angry with his father for throwing away to avenge his mother''s death, Ricky decides to take matters into his own hands-he will steal the plane. He runs away to Mexico, disguising himself as one of the many rateros, or homeless children. Life on the streets proves extremely hard and dangerous, and he''s barely surviving when he meets Soledad, a crafty but kindhearted ratera. With her help, he must find a way to get into the drug cartel''s compound and take the plane-or end up as yet another casualty in the raging drug war. In this thrilling novel, author Ben Mikaelsen sheds light on America''s war on drugs and the grittiness of street life while exploring an unexpected friendship and the healing power of family. "Readers who require a fast-paced plot with lots of action, tension, and danger will find everything they want in Mikaelsen''s latest novel....A dynamite story." -Booklist (starred review) A California Young Readers'' Medal Winner A Pacific Northwest Library Association Readers'' Choice

When thirteen-year-old Josh runs away to the mountains of Montana with an orphaned bear cub destined for laboratory testing, they both must fight for their lives in a sudden snowstorm.

Lost and alone in the jungle, one boy will have to let go of his assumptions and anger, or be dragged down with them. Dylan Barstow has finally crossed the line. After getting caught on a late-night joyride in a stolen car, Dylan is shipped off to live with his ex-Marine uncle for the summer. But Uncle Todd has bigger plans for Dylan than push-ups and early-morning jogs. Deep in the steamy jungles of Papua New Guinea, there''s a WWII fighter plane named SECOND ACE that''s been lost for years, a plane that Dylan''s own grandfather barely escaped from with his life. In all this time, no one has ever been able to track down SECOND ACE -- but now Dylan and his uncle are going to try.Lush and haunted, vital and deadly, these alien jungles half a world away could mean Dylan''s salvation, or they could swallow him whole.

When thirteen-year-old Ricky Diaz discovers that his mother was actually murdered by drug dealers, he''s desperate for revenge. But his father, a former drug enforcement agent, refuses the mission the DEA now offers: to steal an airplane with an American-made radar detector that the cartel uses to smuggle drugs from Mexico. Angry with his father for throwing away the chance to avenge his mother, Ricky decides to take matters into his own hands – he will steal the plane. He runs away to Mexico, disguising himself as one of the many rateros, or homeless children. Life on the streets proves extremely hard and dangerous, and he''s barely surviving when he meets Soledad, a crafty but kindhearted ratera. With her help, he must find a way to get into the drug cartel''s compound and take the plane - or end up as yet another casualty in the raging drug war. In this thrilling novel, author Ben Mikaelsen sheds light on America’s war on drugs and the grittiness of street life while exploring an unexpected friendship and the healing power of family.

When thirteen-year-old Josh runs away to the mountains of Montana with an orphaned bear cub destined for laboratory testing, they both must fight for their lives in a sudden snowstorm.

Non ! Ils n''auront pas mon ours ! Ils ne l''enverront pas dans un laboratoire ou dans un zoo ! Quand Josh réalise qu''il ne pourra garder l''ours dont on a tué la mère et qu''il a recueilli dans la montagne, il s''enfuit avec lui. Ni les policiers lancés à ses trousses, ni ses parents, ni son vieil ami Otis qui lui a appris à aimer les bêtes, ne le persuaderont de revenir. En s''opposant tout seul aux lois qui ne protègent pas assez la nature et les animaux, un garçon de treize ans va donner aux adultes une formidable leçon de courage et de liberté.