Author Ben Mikaelsen, has won the International Reading Association Award and the Western Writer's Golden Spur Award. In addition, his novels have won many state Reader's Choice awards.  These novels include Rescue Josh McGuire, Sparrow Hawk Red, Stranded, Countdown, Petey, Touching Spirit Bear, Red Midnight , Tree Girl and Ghost of Spirt Bear.  His novel's, Rescue Josh McGuire, Petey and Touching Spirit Bear have also been optioned for screen use.

Ben's articles and photos have appeared in numerous magazines around the world. His novels have been carried by Scholastic and Troll book fairs, and  are recorded on unabridged audio tape with recorded books.  Recently Ben was featured nationally on Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures and also on German national TV.