The Sign of the Beaver

by KRISTA T on 2009-05-15
Reviewed by Andrew, age 8 - The Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth George Speare was published by Yearling in 1983. The book is about a boy named Matt who is one of the first settlers in Maine. The adventure begins when his father leaves to get the rest of his family in Massachusetts. Matt is left alone to survive and take care of the cabin. In an attempt to get some honey he is attacked by swarming bees. An Indian chief rescues him and asks Matt if he will teach his grandson, Attean, to read. Matt and Attean learn much from each other. I like this book because it is action packed. There are theives, bees, bears and forces of nature that Matt has to overcome. It is interesting to read how Attean is able to live in the woods with only his outdoor skills and wits to guide him. I think this book is great! I would recommend it.

by HEATHER B on 2009-05-07
We stumbled across the movie when renting and were hooked. We purchased the book and absolutely LOVE it. My son was 5 when we read it (the first time) and my daughters 10 and 11. They protested every time I ended the reading for the night. Our interest in the outdoors (hunting, fishing, gardening, being self-reliant, etc.) really brought this wonderful story to life for our whole family.

by KRISTINE M on 2009-01-16
Reviewed by Moriah, age 11- The Sign of the Beaver is my favorite book of the year because it has action, danger, and friendship. The Sign of the Beaver was so good that I was actually excited to sit down and read a book for once. It is a story about a boy named Matt whose father has gone to Massachusetts to get the rest of Matt's family and bring them to their new farm in Maine. Matt is left alone for several months, and during this time he meets an indian boy named Attean. This story is about their friendship and adventures together. If I could recommend any book from this year it would be this one.

by MICHELE C on 2008-12-08
Review by Carissa C. on 12-8-08 The Sign of the Beaver is probably my favorite reader so far this year because the story pulls you into 12 year old Matt's world. This book made me get excited, and think about the native American's viewpoint, as well as the white settlers. The Sign of the Beaver is a must-read fo anyone at all interested in learning about early pioneer days in America.

by ELEANOR R on 2008-11-21
During the second time through this book, I caught my older son "sneaking" into the room to listen! Very good book!

by SANDY D on 2008-09-17
This is our second time through Core 3 and again this book is a huge hit with our family! We like to listen to it on CD in the car. The kids are on the edge of their seats listening to this story!

by WILLIAM K on 2008-08-22
Review by Billy age 12: My favorite book so far this year was Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare. I liked the part where Matt knocked down the bees hive and was stung bad, because it led to his meeting of the Indians who live nearby. I like the encounter with the bear. He flung a rabbit at the bear and his friend shot the bear with an arrow. He learned to follow the subtle marks left on the trails by the Indians. Matt became a true surviver of the wilderness, Attean became his best friend.

by ROBIN E. W on 2008-07-15
Review by Lilian, 3rd grade. My favorite book in Core 3 was Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth Geogre Speare. It is a very action-packed book and is so descriptive it made me feel like I was inside watching it happen! Sign of the Beaver is about a boy named Matt left alone in a forest to watch his family's cabin. He gets help from a Penobscot Indian man and his grandson, and in return Matt teaches the Indian boy how to read. My family enjoyed this book with me and I encourage you to enjoy it too.

by KETA J on 2008-06-22
This one was a real hit in our house, and sparked excellent discussion on responsibility, willingness to work, loyalty, faith in hardship, love of books, humility and learning from others, not to mention the culture of the Indians and the settlers, and the importance of family. This one will touch your heart and provide the great interaction with your children that makes home schooling so worth the time. After you read the book, get the DVD of the movie by the same name. It also will not disappoint!

by MAURA T on 2008-05-12
Written by Ethan, age 8: So far this year, my favorite book was Sign of the Beaver. I liked it because I liked the characters. They seemed like real people. I also liked them because they were kids like me. The story was about a boy named Matt whose father leaves him alone in Maine when they bought their land. Matt meets an Indian boy named Attean. Later in the story, Matt and Attean become almost like brothers. Then, the Indian tribe leaves for better hunting but Matt did not go with them. He stayed to wait for his Pa to return, but was afraid he might not come. It took a 6 months, but he came at last. I recommend this book to everyone because it is very good. It makes you want to read it chapter after chapter. That is what it was like for me.