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.