The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver
by Elizabeth George Speare
Dell Pulishing, 1983

Summary: A young boy, Matt, is left alone to survive in an unfamiliar place while his father returns to their home to get the rest of the family. After the boy’s gun is stolen he has to learn survival skills on his own. One day an old Indian and his grandson rescue Matt from a swarm of bees. The Indians help him heal. As a payment, Matt agrees to teach the grandson, Attean to read. While Matt helps Attean learn how read, Attean teaches Matt survival skills that help Matt live in the wilderness while his family makes the journey back. An interesting friendship strikes between Matt and Attean. When Attean’s family decides to move the tribe to hunt, Matt decides to stay and wait for his family to return.

Themes: Identity; Friendship; Family; Survival; Values; Courage; Multi-culture

Rationale for Use: Real life scenarios of an Indian’s life in the seventeenth century that are easy for students to relate to.

Content Area Connections: Social Science: The book deals with survival skills and lives of early Native Americans. Second grade students learn about three different Indian tribes and their lives. This book would be a great way for students to make connections and see how they used to live.

Possible Problems or Concerns: Students may have a hard time getting into the book at first; it starts off slow. There is negative talk about accepting others because of differences.

~Ashley Burton