Chapter summary

Summary

Chapter 1:

The 15 year old Cole Matthews is a real criminal. He has been stealing a lot and now he also beats up Peter Driscal. He doesn’t go to trial but he has to go to Circle Justice. He has to go to an island and think about the things he had done and most important, change.

Chapter 2: 

Cole is brought to his new home where he has to stay for a year. He is extremely mad. He wanted to burn down all the supplies he got.

Chapter 3:

In a flash back, Garvey asks Cole questions why he hates his life. It seems that his parents were constantly drunk and everything he did was wrong. Cole wants to escape and swims to another island.

Chapter 4:

While Cole is swimming he gets a flash back from the acceptance for Circle Justice. There were all kinds of meetings where people had the possibility to tell their side of the story.

Chapter 5:

When Cole seems to be swimming in the wrong direction he is back at his old island. His body was in pain due to the cold. But then he sees the spirit bear, which quickly disappeared.  

Chapter 6:

Cole was thinking about the meetings with the Circle Justice. He told everybody that he gets beaten up by his dad and that his parents are always drunk. Of course Cole gets mad again.

Chapter 7:

Cole sees the spirit bear for the second time. When he was about to kill it, the bear disappeared again.

Chapter 8:

Because of Cole’s attack, the bear fought with him. Cole got beaten up and was badly injured. He couldn’t move anymore and felt alone.

Chapter 9:

After the fight there was a heavy storm. There were some baby sparrows who died in front of Cole’s eyes. This made Cole think.

Chapter 10:

After seeing the dead sparrows Cole finally understood the Circle of life. He decides not to give up and he starts getting hope again.

Chapter 11:

If Cole wanted to survive he had to find food. He saw a mouse and ate it. He felt better but then the spirit bear came again. He didn’t attack Cole but just stood there and watched him.

Chapter 12:

Cole didn’t care to die anymore. He was proud and he didn’t give up. When he wakes up out of sleep he finds out that Edwin and Garvey took him to a hospital.

Chapter 13:

While Rosey took care of Cole, he decided that he really wanted to change. He’ll be fair from now on. Everything is going to be different.

PART 2

Chapter 14:

After six months in the hospital Cole can finally leave. However he is still not able to do everything and he is still in pain. His mom stopped drinking and supports him.

Chapter 15:

Everyone wants Cole to go to prison. Nobody trusts Cole anymore. But thanks to Garvey and Edwin, Cole can go back to the island.

Chapter 16:

When Cole, Garvey and Edwin are back on the island again, Cole learns a great lesson. But that doesn’t make any money. Cole can’t waste his chance because there is no money for him anymore.

Chapter 17:

Cole is still mad so Edwin decides to help. He learns him that memories will never leave. However, you can decide if you focus on the good or bad things.

Chapter 18:

Cole worked on his hut. He also learned the whale dance. From now on, he doesn’t only focus on being alive but also on having fun and enjoying the moments.

Chapter 19:

Cole was threatened to be taken from the island because of his bad attitude. But then he starts to be calm  again and let go his anger. He is allowed to stay.

Chapter 20:

Cole found out that he has to stop blaming other people instead of himself. When his shelter was finished, Edwin and Garvey left and he was alone again.

Chapter 21:

Cole controlled his anger and made furniture for his shelter. He also made a totem pole.

Chapter 22:

Cole did a lot of good things on the island. But he was still frustrated. He searched for the Spirit Bear but never found it. Maybe the spirit bear could help him.

Chapter 23:

Cole know what he had to do. He had to clear his mind to see the spirit bear. He had to do the dance of anger and he was ready to forgive.

Chapter 24:

It was winter and Cole stopped doing as much as he did before. He thought about forgiving and wanted to help Peter.

Chapter 25:

Cole persuades Edwin to bring Peter and his family to the island. Cole shows them the island and tells them what he’s been through but Peter won’t listen to him.

Chapter 26:

Peter is still on the island with Garvey and Cole. However Peter’s parents are gone. Peter is still mad but makes progress. He even let Cole sleep in the shelter.

Chapter 27:

Peter starts believing Cole more and more. Cole learns him how to carve the spirit bear. Cole really wants  Peter to believe him.

Chapter 28:

Cole and Peter go fishing. Peter beats Cole up but Cole calms him down. When they both see the Spirit Bear, Peter realizes that it was a sign to forgive  Cole. They both forgive each other and learned a beautiful lesson. Life is a circle.