Literature Section
Author Scavenger Hunt
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

Directions: Ben Mikaelsen, author of Touching Spirit Bear, is a very interesting
individual with an exciting history. Your assignment is to learn about his life,
his unusual pet, and his feelings about writing.
With a partner, use the websites provided to answer the following questions.


Background!
http://www.benmikaelsen.com/about_ben.htm
1. Ben and his wife live in Montana. What unusual pet have they had for the last 20 years?

___________________________________

An Interview with Ben! http://www.benmikaelsen.com/about_ben_interview.htm
2. How did Ben feel about reading and writing as a child?

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

3. It is difficult for Ben to pick which of his novels is his favorite because
they are all special to him... almost like his children.
 If forced to pick, what book does he feel the closest to and why? ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

4. Where was Ben Mikaelsen born? _______________________________


5. It’s very common for an author’s work to be rejected by a publisher.
 How long did it take Ben Mikaelsen to write Rescue Josh McGuire and
how many times was it rejected?________________________

___________________________________________________


6. What UNUSUAL place does Ben do some of his writing during the winter months?

____________________________________________________

7. About how long does it take Ben Mikaelsen to write a novel
from the research stage through to the rewriting stage?_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Ben’s Adventure’s!
http://www.benmikaelsen.com/about_ben_adventures.htm
8. An exciting thing about Ben Mikaelsen is that he loves ADVENTURES.

He has traveled to the Florida Keys, Mexico, South America,
 and even to the __________________ __________________. (2 words)

9. Select one of Ben’s adventures and write a little about his experience.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

10. Go to Buffy’s Corner. Ben tells a story about a time he was pulled over by a police officer.

What humorous thing did Buffy do?

_______________________________________________________

BONUS: Three of Ben’s novels are being considered for the big screen. What are they? Hint:
 Read the section About Ben to find the answer.



Explore Ben Mikaelsen’s website! Look at some of the photos of Buffy the Bear,
learn more about Ben’s adventures, and read about his other books!