I got the recommendation to read this book from http://mstara.edublogs.org/
Cole is a angry young man with a violent history. After he beats up one of his classmates he is offered the chance to be part of Native American Circle Justice, instead of being tried in court as an adult. Cole jumps at the chance thinking it will be an easy way out and an easy way to avoid prison. He is banished to a remote Alaskan island as both his punishment and his healing. Cole continues to blame everyone and everything in his life for his problems and does not understand the reason he is on the island and what he has to learn. He learns the hard way! The extremely hard way!
I really enjoyed this story and how Ben Mikaelsen manages to blend the horrible violence and anger that Cole possesses with peace, healing and learning that the Tlingkit tribe offer him. Suitable for upper grades for both boys and girls - there is enough gore and grossness to keep boys on the edge of their seats.
While I was reading this book I was remembering a few years ago our New Zealander of the Year was a woman who forgave the 18 year old man, Austin, who lost control of his car and drove onto the footpath killing her 4 year old son and injuring both her and her 6 year old son. This woman, Emma Woods, decided the best thing for herself, her family and Austin was to reach out to Austin, keep him out of prison and work together to heal both their wounds. A truly special woman. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10693438
I think it is this kind of healing, change, forgiveness that the Native American Circle Justice tries to embrace and make work in not only their communities by wherever needed.
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