The Sign of the Beaver

Bibliographic information: 

Speare, Elizabeth George.  The Sign of the Beaver.  Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1983,  p. 135. 

Brief plot description:

Have you ever dreamed of being left alone in the wilderness?  Matt is left alone at the age of twelve in a log cabin in Maine with his father’s watch, rifle, and gunpowder.  Matt helps his father build a one room cabin before his father returns to Quincy, Massachusetts to get his mother and sisters.  A stranger stops by the cabin and he steals the rifle, and a bear steals some food.  While collecting honey, Matt gets attacked by bees and is found in the water by two Indians.  They bring Matt medicine, crutches, and moccasins.  Matt feels that he needs to give them something so he gives Saknis Robinson Crusoe, and teaches them to read.  Attean and Matt spend time fishing and hunting.  Attean teaches Matt several things including making hooks, bow and arrows, and how to hunt.  What will happen with the Indians?  Will Matt’s family return? 

Brief review:

I found that The Sign of the Beaver is a great example of two important things.  First, the book shows that a young boy can learn to adapt and survive in  the wilderness when left alone.  Second, the book shows how Native Americans and settlers can get along with each other when they respect each other.  The book can be used when discussing pioneers, Native Americans, or frontier life.  I think the book could be read by fourth through seventh graders.  This book will appeal to boys because they will be able to connect with Matt and his will to survive.    

Genre label:

Adventure

Reading level/interest level:

4^th- 7^th grade

Character names/descriptions:

Matt- 12 years old

Saknis – Native American; leader of tribe

Attean- Saknis grandson; Native American

Marie – Attean’s sister

Similar materials in style content, theme or characters:

Run Away Home by Patricia McKissack

The Arrow Over the Door by Joseph Bruckac

Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen

Subjects/themes:

Pioneers

Indians

Wilderness

Awards:

Newbery Award

Massachusetts Children’s Book Master List

Kansas William White Master List

Arkansas Charlie May Simon Master List