Monday, May 18, 2015




MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY
THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER
Elizabeth George Speare

I loved “The Witch of Blackbird Pond,” and also enjoyed “The Sign of the Beaver” by Elizabeth George Speare. It’s an historical novel about life in Colonial New England in 1768. Matt and his father left their comfortable Massachusetts home to clear land and build a log cabin in the wilderness of Maine. Once the cabin was built, Matt’s dad left him in charge and returned to bring back the rest of the family—Matt’s mother, sister, and new baby.


At thirteen, Matt has the responsibility to finish filling the chinks between the logs, water their new garden, hunt and cook for himself—and guard the homestead. He’s entrusted with his father’s best rifle. Complications arise when a stranger comes, takes advantage of Matt’s hospitality, and steals the gun. Matt has to subsist on fish and wild plants until he’s injured and is helped by the leader of the Beaver Clan of the Penobscot tribe and his grandson, Attean. A bargain is struck and the two boys learn about each other’s lives and help each other.

This Newbery Honor book is a great coming of age and survival story. If you liked “Hatchet,” “Brian’s Winter,” and “My Side of the Mountain,” you’ll enjoy this story. It’s a peek into our nation’s past, showing how the colonists lived. It also explores themes of trust, friendship across different cultures, and personal growth. Highly recommended for grades 4 to 7.

More information on author Elizabeth George Speare is on her Amazon page:  http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-George-Speare/e/B000AP71Q6/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Tags:
Elizabeth George Speare, Sign of the Beaver, Matt, Attean, Penobscot tribe, Native Americans, survival, colonial America, Maine, Massachusetts, coming of age, trust, personal growth.

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