What is something in Ben Mikaelsen childhood that inspired him to become an author?

Montana-based children'due south writer, Ben Mikaelsen, spoke at two Snoqualmie Valley schools on February 3rd, with a strong anti-bullying message for students. He addressed all 6th graders at Twin Falls Eye School in the morning, and so proceeded to talk with 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Fall Urban center Elementary School.

Mikaelsen is an engaging speaker who shared stories well-nigh his personal struggles with reading, writing and growing upward, to empower students to realize their own potentials. His goal, in speaking with kids in grades 3rd-eighth, is to influence positive behavior and motivate students to take risks academically and socially.

Through his own experiences both beingness bullied and becoming a bully, Mikaelsen'south bulletin is clear: "Everyone has value, anybody is important, and our differences are what make each one of u.s.a. special." In very simplistic words, the author told students they can determine who they really want to be, how they desire to treat people, and in turn, how they expect others to treat them. Ben shared that his greatest life lesson came from his 700 lb. pet bear Buffy. "The biggest and strongest person is the one who is kind, gentle, and respectful…Real forcefulness comes from one who is willing to stand up for others."

Twin Falls sixth graders have been reading Ben Mikaelsen'southward volume "Touching Spirit Deport"

where the themes of bullying and restorative justice (as opposed to standard criminal

punishment) are prominent in the story. The book follows the journey of a troubled boy who

becomes a bully to others. The concept of restorative justice is employed when the male child is

banished to the wilderness in Alaska to contemplate his crimes and survive the dangers of the wild.

Ben ended his talk with advice only an writer can give with authenticity, "Each mean solar day is a new chapter in your volume; yous can make of it what you want. The championship of your story is 'The Residue of Your Life'— now you become out and brand information technology."

FCES 5th Grade Teacher Meredith Macvean said, "Ben Mikaelsen's message to our students was multi-faceted. While he encouraged our students to be kind and caring to one some other, he also conveyed that struggling with something, or feeling different from others, is okay — and that information technology does not define who you are or what your future will hold. All students are capable of achieving something nifty!"

Afterward the author's presentations, students discussed what they learned. In the words of quaternary graders at Fall City Elementary:

• "Information technology doesn't matter what other people think, just be yourself."
• "He was bullied by people considering he looked unlike and could not write. Merely look at him now, he is a writing machine."
• "Never give up on yourself or your dreams."
• "Ben taught us that if you work hard plenty, your dreams will come truthful."
• "Looking different should not put you downward."
• "It does non thing what you look like on the outside, just the within."
  

Additionally, sixth graders at Twin Falls Middle Schoolhouse shared the following thoughts:

• "I learned to never give up on something yous want to do. Piece of work difficult for it."
• "Ben Mikaelsen taught me that it's okay to be yourself because nobody should guess you for who you lot are!"
• "I learned that it's important to never give up on your dreams, and mind to your eye non what other people say or do."
• "I think having Ben Mikaelsen come to our school and talk to us was a dandy experience. When he was talking about his experiences with bullying and how information technology afflicted him, I really did think about how I could be a ameliorate person and do more to help others. I've been bullied and information technology does not experience adept and I do not want anyone else to experience that pain."
• "I learned that when you are kind you attract more than friends that are kind, and when y'all are a bully you attract more bullies and you don't desire that."
• "Ben Mikaelsen made me remember more than about my dream and how you lot have to work actually difficult to get it. He also made me remember more than about kindness when he said, 'If you are kind, you will accept squeamish, kind friends. And if you are not kind, you will accept friends that are not squeamish.'"
• "When Mr. Mikaelsen said that Buffy (his comport) wasn't saved—he saved me, I idea that was very moving, because it shows that animals can teach you more than about yourself than any person. Animals bring out the better version of you."
• "Ben Mikaelsen plant a way to see past all the bad things in life and fabricated his life ameliorate. He did not wait for his dreams to come to him, he went and got them."
• "I think that Ben Mikaelsen's bulletin was that it'due south totally fine to be dissimilar and to exercise what you want to do in life."
• "Mr. Mikaelsen was very inspiring. He made me feel like I don't need to worry virtually mistakes considering side by side time I can always do better."
• "I really liked the way he spoke most his life. Some authors merely talk about their books and their achievements. Merely Mr. Mikaelsen talked to united states about real issues. It was great."
• "It was really touching. He talked virtually his own babyhood experience of bullying, and many kids can chronicle to that."
• "I liked the way he shared experiences from his ain life, because I could see how they are reflected in his novel Touching Spirit Carry."
• "Based on what Mr. Mikaelsen told us nigh himself, I'grand starting to come across unlike things in the novel we're reading, and I have different thoughts near how it's probably going to finish."
• "I liked the way he explained that bullies are just people who haven't learned to cope with themselves. And I liked how he shared his understanding from personal experience. He has the perspective of a erstwhile bully."
  

"Nosotros work hard to empower students to exist up-standers, not bystanders, and then Ben's words and stories echoed and reinforced our core values," said Monica Phillips, Autumn City Elementary Principal.

Ben Mikaelsen's award winning novels include Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Ruddy, Stranded, Countdown, Petey, Touching Spirit Bear, Blood-red Midnight, Tree Daughter and Ghost of Spirit Acquit; three of which accept been optioned for screen use (including Touching Spirit Conduct). Learn more most his work and life at : http://www.benmikaelsen.com/.

 Ben and Buffy at their log cabin home in Montana.

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