Cole thinks Garvey is odd and can't relate to teenagers, so Cole is wary of him.

Garvey doesn't fear Cole, and Cole doesn't trust people who are not afraid of him.

Cole doesn't trust anyone in the criminal justice system.

Cole is prejudiced against Native Americans. Garvey is a Tlingit Indian, so Cole doesn't trust him.

It is Edwin's way of getting back at Cole for spitting on him.

The purpose is to show humility and shame, and force Cole to realize that he is no longer in control of his life.

Cole has to learn to do what people in authority tell him to do without questioning them.

It is a symbol of the fact that Cole needs to correct his internal (emotional) problems.

Cole believes that the fear is the only sincerely felt human emotion.

Cole believes that fear is necessary for success in life.

Cole believes that no one is fearless; everyone is afraid of something.

Cole believes that no one should be afraid of anything.

Cole learns there are many agencies available to help him, but they need more well-trained staff to be effective.

Cole learns that one must keep trying. No matter how many times he fails, he has to resolve his own problems.

Cole learns there is no solution for his problems, and no one takes responsibility of telling him so.

Cole learns that it is the adult term for passing the buck and that he can always count on having one more "last chance".

Cole feels people have their own motives for helping him; threats are never followed up with action.

Cole is required to use public service counselors who do not care about the people they are assigned to help.

Counselors don't really listen to what Cole is saying when he answers their questions; they hear what they want to hear.

Cole's parents are never present at the counseling sessions, so his real issues are never addressed.

Cole describes his mom as "a strong, smart, and beautiful woman" and says that she married such "a temperamental man who abuses her."

Cole describes his mom as "just like a Barbie doll, beautiful with a seemingly perfect life." He says his dad "Is (his) mom's Ken. He is not very bright, but a good man at heart.

Cole describes his mom as "a wimpy alcoholic" who occasionally beats him. His dad is "equally as wimpy" and beats him worse than his mom does.

Cole describes his mom as "a scared Barbie doll, always looking good but never fighting back or standing up to anyone." He calls his dad "a bullheaded drinker with a temper."

Cole tells Edwin "everything is determined by fate anyway, so no one really makes his own choices in life."

Cole says Garvey is responsible for "getting (him) stuck on this lousy island."

Cole believes that if Peter had learned to fight back, he wouldn't have been hurt so badly.

Cole believes that his mother's abusiveness toward him makes him want to lash out at others.

Circle Justice focuses on healing through group discussions and therapy with a trained group leader called a"Keeper."

Circle Justice is the Native American term for "justice as nature would have it." It focuses on punishment through natural consequences.

Circle Justice is a method of punishment that involves physical hardship and pain as a means of revenge.

Circle Justice is a form of justice practiced by native cultures for thousands of years. It focuses on healing, not punishment.

The statement "If these fossils really thought he was going to live in that shack, they were nus," implies that Cole intends to leave the island.

When they approach the island in the skiff, Cole tells Garvey that he "has no intention of staying on the island."

Even as the circle Justice leaders are deciding whether to send him to the island, Cole thinks of several possible ways to escape.

Before Cole leaves for Alaska, he calls a friend and makes it clear that he will be back "sooner than anyone thinks."

Edwin says, "The animals on this island are not responsible for your survival; you determine whether you live or die.

Edwin says, "Do what you want, but if you want to survive, think about the consequences of your actions."

Edwin says, "If you eat, you live. If not, you'll die. This land can provide for you or kill you."

Edwin says, Nothing on this island cares of you live or die. If you work at surviving, you might succeed.

Edwin does not believe him. Edwin remembers how afraid he was of dying on the island when he was in Cole's position.

Edwin does not believe him. He tells Cole that he will be afraid if death look shim in the face.

Edwin believes him. He looks at Cole with a sense of approval and respect.

Edwin believes him. Everything Cole has done so far shows that cole is a fearless person who doesn't care what happens.

Edwin says, "Killing an animal because it is doing what comes naturally is an injustice against nature. "

Edwin says, " It would be better to slip away unseen by the animal if possible."

Edwin says, "Would you really kill it? Don't let your ego get in the way of common sense."

Edwin says, "Animals feel the same way. Don't forget that."

The island animals demonstrate the law of survival of the fittest. Cole will have to be strong to survive in the wild.

The animals on the island can teach Cole how nature intended animals and humans to interact with each other.

Edwin tells Cole that he can learn the survival skills he needs by carefully watching the animals on the island.

Patience, gentleness, strength and honesty can be learned from observing the behavior of the animals.

A Spirit bear is a special black bear that lives off the coast of British Columbia. It is pure white and represents Pride, Dignity and Honor.

A Spirit bear is a polar bear that has wandered far from its natural territory. It is led by "spirits" to places where it is needed.

A spirit bear is a Native American metaphor for one's own soul. If one meditates long enough, the true self will appear.

A Spirit Bear is a white bear that does not really exist; people see it during times of crisis when they need guidance.

It is a warning to ration his food supplies; if he doesn't he might starve to death before Edwin returns.

Whatever happens to Cole will be a result of his won actions; he will no longer be able to blame others.

No one will interfere with Cole's decisions;if he makes a bad decision, no one will stop him.

If Cole gets himself into a life-threatening situation, he cannot depend on anyone else to be around to save him.

The at.'oow is a blanket Garvey inherited from his ancestors. Cole must someday pass it on to someone he trusts.

The at.'oow is a bear cub. Cole has to promise to take care of it and then return it to nature when it matures.

The at.'oow is a special hunting knife. Cole has to promise to never use it against the Spirit Bear.

The at.'oow is a spiritual gift. It is meant to help those in spiritual need find their inner peace.

Cole assures Garvey that he will certainly make the best of the situation and do all he can to make everyone proud of him.

Cole tries to divide Garvey and Edwin by telling each of them lies concerning what one says about the other.

Cole lies to the committee members when he says "Hurting Peter made me think a lot..... If I could change places with him I would.

While in jail, Cole pretends to be the model student, but he actually pays another inmate to do his school work for him.

Cole is so confident in his ability to love off of the land with no shelter and no supplies that he burns the cabin down.

Cole doesn't mean to burn it down,but in a frenzy of rage, he knocks over the lantern and a spark starts the fire.

Cole burns down the shelter to get back at Edwin for making him wear his clothes inside out.

Cole becomes enraged, and because he is unable to control his temper,he foolishly destroys the shelter.

insincire

insensitive

fearful

hostile