Summary

Chapter 1:
Cole Matthews, the main character of the book is a 15 year old boy. He is send to a deserted island as a result of beating up Peter Driscal. This kind of trial is part of Circle Justice which is about forgiving, but Cole is seeing this as an opportunity to escape a jail sentence.

Chapter 2:
As soon as Cole arrives on the island he is already planning an escape, he is supposed to stay there for a whole year, but Cole is full of anger and burns down his wooden shelter.

Chapter 3:
Cole tries to escape from the island by swimming, the only problem was that he didn't notice the coming tide. He was pushed back by the water and was in great danger.

Chapter 4:
Cole has a flashback about the first meeting of Circle Justice, he told everyone he felt sorry about what he had done, but many people weren't able to forgive him and had their own opinion about his deeds.

Chapter5:
Cole kept swimming but ended up with numb body parts because of the cold, he realised he wasn't getting any closer to the islands so he went back to the shore of the original island. He crawls back to the ashes of his shelter and while he lies down he notices a Spirit Bear is watching him, he threatens to kill it and suddenly the bear disappeared.

Chapter 6:
Cole is thinking about one of the meetings of the Circle Justice in which he expresses his feelings towards his partens, his dad who abuses him and his mother who is drunk all the time.

Chapter7:
The Spirit Bear shows up again, Cole is angry because it doesn't show any fear towards him. Cole wants to kill the bear but once again it disappears.

Chapter 8:
Cole tried to attack the Spirit Bear, but the bear was way too strong for him, Cole ended up with a broken shoulder, ripped skin and broken ribs.

Chapter 9:
A storm started, and the bear appeared once more. Cole was shocked, but the bear didn't do anything. lightning struck in a tree close to him and he saw a nest of dead baby sparrows, Cole feels bad about it, he compares it to his own life and realised he should be the one who should have died.

Chapter 10:
Cole is starting to get desperate, he wants to stay alive but he can't hunt for food so he starts to eat little bugs.

Chapter 11:
Cole has a feeling he has to stay alive, but he is very weak. A curious mouse comes close to Cole's hand and Cole is able to catch it, he eats the raw mouse, and sees the Spirit Bear again, he learned from his mistakes and he didn't attack the bear.

Chapter 12:
Cole suddenly understands how the circle works, he appreciates life a lot more. He passed out, and woke up on the boat with Edwin and Garvey. They are now on their way to the hospital.

Chapter 13:
Cole is being treated by Rosey the only nurse in town, he decides he doesn't want to lie anymore and is going to speak only the truth from now on.

Chapter 14:
Cole hears that his father has been arrested because of child abuse, this was because Cole's mother turned him in. Cole has now been in the hospital for about six months and his mother has been sober and has visited him daily.

Chapter 15:
The first meeting of the Circle is taking place, no one has faith in Cole anymore. They want to send him to prison, but Garvey and Edwin have tried really hard for Cole and have been able to convice the Circle that he is able to return to the island.

Chapter 16:
Cole went back to the island together with Garvey and Edwin. Cole has to build has own shelter and had to  pay for the equipment and supplies by selling his personal belongings.

Chapter 17:
Cole and Edwin wake up early they are going to soak in an ice cold pond. Cole's anger is still an issue and Edwin helps Cole to clear his mind.

Chapter 18:
Cole works on his cabin. After dinner, Edwin and Garvey dance the whale dance, the goal of this dance is to learn something about life from these animals. Cole has to do the whale dance too and he learned that you should do something with your life instead of just living it.

Chapter 19:
Garvey and Edwin  consider sending Cole back, because of his bad behaviour and because he hasn't listened to what they said. Cole wants to stay and decides to do his best from now on.

Chapter 20:
Cole spots the Spirit Bear again, so that night they do the Spirit Bear dance. Cole's shelter is almost finished so Edwin and Garvey leave the next morning, leaving him all alone on the island again.

Chapter 21:
Cole has started making furniture for his shelter. Cole finds a big log on the shore, and is considering making a canoe, he stopts himself and decides to carve a totem instead.

Chapter 22:
Cole is starting to get frustrated, he hasn't seen the Spirit Bear in weeks. Edwin tells him to become invisible, but Cole still doesn't succeed in spotting the Spirit Bear.

Chapter 23:
Cole realizes that he has to clear has mind in order to become invisible, he succeeds and is able to see the Spirit Bear again. That night he dances the dance of anger and he is able to forgive.

Chapter 24:
It's winter, and Cole has heard that Peter has tried to commit suicide. Cole wants to help Peter, but he is scared to tell his idea to Garvey or Edwin.

Chapter 25:
Cole tells his idea of bringing Peter to the island to Edwin. After some discussion Garvey, Edwin, Peter and his parents arrive on the island. Cole tells about his experiences on the island, but Peter doesn't want to trust him.

Chapter 26:
Peter is still depressed and doesn't want to talk to Cole. Cole is forced to sleep in a tent while Garvey and Peter sleep in the shelter, one cold night Peter invites Cole to sleep in the shelter together with him and Garvey.

Chapter 27:
Peter is getting angry and wants to make Cole pay for beating him up so he destroys one of Cole's carvings. Cole is trying to contain his anger, and starts searching for another log for Peter. Peter feels sorry for what he has done and carves a new bear in Cole's totem.

Chapter 28:
Cole and Peter go to the pond together, and Peter suddenly attacks Cole. Cole doesn't fight back and Peter stops. The Spirit Bear appears and Cole and Peter decide to forgive each other. Together they make their final carving.