AUTHOR
SPEAKER & LEADER
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 Spirit Bear. His novels, 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.
Ben has a passion for helping kids break out of labels and discover their own special genius. More than just an author, Ben is a seasoned speaker with a unique ability to impact children and adults alike. His Bully-Free stance is far more than a mere wrist-band approach. His presentations, coupled with the powerful messages in his books, like Touching Spirit Bear, have been referenced in People Magazine and have affected positive change in countless students the world over.
ADVENTURER
A lover of the outdoors and experiencing new things, Ben lives in beautiful Anacortes, Washington with his wife, Connie.
For 27 years Ben's other "roommate" was a 750 pound black bear, Buffy, that he adopted and raised, providing Ben with a rich life experience, which he enjoys sharing. Buffy passed away in 2012, but his influence in Ben's life will always remain. Read more about Buffy.