The Spirit Bear is carried over from Touching Spirit Bear. It is both novels’ primary symbol. After Cole and Peter leave the island, it comes to represent their connection to nature, as well as their inner strength, kindness, and trust. The boys see the Spirit Bear one last time before they leave the island, with Garvey noting that it can always be found by those who are looking for it. This is proven true when the boys find their Spirit Bear in the man without a home. They soon come to realize that the man carries many of the Spirit Bear’s traits, and that, like the Spirit Bear, he teaches and helps them.

Peter mentions how they likely scare him as much as he scares them, as with a bear. Like the elusive Spirit Bear, the man tends to show up and disappear, watching the boys from afar with curiosity in his eyes. When Peter wants to give the man his at.óow, they find a Spirit Bear statue instead, which serves as a symbol of “gentleness, kindness, and strength” for their school from then on (153). Cole’s hope is that by changing the school mascot to the Spirit Bear he can encourage unification and acceptance rather than violence and hatred.