By Amanda Harrison
The tri-cities will be hosting the author of Touching Spirit Bear as part of an anti bullying initiative.
Titled the Great Lakes Bay Great Read, the program is targeted at 80 middle school classrooms in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.
After reading the book, students will attend a presentation with the author.
Ben Mikaelsen, author of Touching Spirit Bear, says he has played the role of both a bully and a victim.
"You know I knew what it was like to be called a dummy and how long it takes a child, a person, a human being to get over that self perception. And what I would like to have happen is I'd like to have a student walk away with a sense of empowerment. That they look in the mirror and they see a different person."
Mikaelsen said he will talk about the reason kids bully and how a forgiving attitude can be the best defense.
The tri-cities will be hosting the author of Touching Spirit Bear as part of an anti bullying initiative.
Titled the Great Lakes Bay Great Read, the program is targeted at 80 middle school classrooms in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.
After reading the book, students will attend a presentation with the author.
Ben Mikaelsen, author of Touching Spirit Bear, says he has played the role of both a bully and a victim.
"You know I knew what it was like to be called a dummy and how long it takes a child, a person, a human being to get over that self perception. And what I would like to have happen is I'd like to have a student walk away with a sense of empowerment. That they look in the mirror and they see a different person."
Mikaelsen said he will talk about the reason kids bully and how a forgiving attitude can be the best defense.