<P> His books often feature flawed protagonists with mental issues and are often seen as outcasts . Recurring themes include growth, understanding, wisdom, and the insight, friendships, and beauty that can be found anywhere . </P> <P> Mikaelsen was born in December 8, 1952 in La Paz, Bolivia . The son of missionary parents of Danish descent, he wasn't sent to school until the fourth grade where he was bullied for his race . Mikaelsen moved to the United States with his family shortly before entering the seventh grade, where he encountered further bullying because of his spoken English skills . As a teen in Minnesota, he taught himself to swim and dive, and took flight and skydiving lessons . Mikaelsen attended Concordia College and Bemidji State University . </P> <P> Mikaelsen owned a male American black bear named Buffy for 26 years until the bear's death in 2010 . Mikaelsen considered Buffy a "750 - pound member of my family ." He has been writing full - time since 1984 and currently lives around Bozeman, Montana with his wife, Connie . He has wrote a few books from inspiration of his bear such as, "Touching Spirit Bear" and also the sequel "Ghost of Spirit Bear". </P> <Ul> <Li> Rescue Josh McGuire (1991) </Li> <Li> Sparrow Hawk Red (1993) </Li> <Li> Stranded (1995) </Li> <Li> Countdown (1996) </Li> <Li> Petey (1998) </Li> <Li> Touching Spirit Bear (2001) </Li> <Li> Red Midnight (2002) </Li> <Li> Tree Girl (2004) </Li> <Li> Ghost of Spirit Bear (2008) </Li> <Li> Jungle of Bones (2014) </Li> </Ul>

Who is the author of touching spirit bear
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