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The Sign of the Beaver
Left alone to guard the family's wilderness home in eighteenth-century Maine, a boy is hard-pressed to survive until local Indians teach him their skills.
135 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 1983
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12278 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth George Speare
21 books1,456 followersI was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, on November 21, 1908. I have lived all my life in New England, and though I love to travel I can't imagine ever calling any other place on earth home. Since I can't remember a time when I didn't intend to write, it is hard to explain why I took so long getting around to it in earnest. But the years seemed to go by very quickly. In 1936 I married Alden Speare and came to Connecticut. Not till both children were in junior high did I find time at last to sit down quietly with a pencil and paper. I turned naturally to the things which had filled my days and thoughts and began to write magazine articles about family living. Then one day I stumbled on a true story from New England history with a character who seemed to me an ideal heroine. Though I had my first historical novel almost by accident it soon proved to be an absorbing hobby."
Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.
Elizabeth George Speare (1908-1994) won the 1959 Newbery Medal for THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND, and the 1962 Newbery Medal for THE BRONZE BOW. She also received a Newbery Honor Award in 1983, and in 1989 she was presented with the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for her substantial and enduring contribution to children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,461 reviews
October 7, 2023
THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER is not merely an adventure story, or a celebration of American Indian wisdom. It's also an anticolonial narrative—ROBINSON CRUSOE turned on its head.
--Joseph Bruchac
It was fun to stumble upon an Introduction by Joseph Bruchac in this middle grades novel after so recently discovering one of his own books, PEACEMAKER.
It was also inspiring to remember that a reread can bring about an entirely fresh perspective on familiar material.
This was my 13-year-old's first exposure to this story, and I was happy that she found it as adventurous as I once did. It's easy to get swept up in a story of a young adolescent in a wild setting, free from parents and daily responsibilities, isn't it?
We had fun discovering a wild, wooded Maine, as yet uncorrupted by Walmart and whatnot, with the young protagonist, Matt, and we delighted in learning that the colonists brought the honey bees with them to America and that the Native people, the Wabanaki, had already developed poultices and balms to disarm their stings.
I felt validated when I read that Bruchac shared some criticism for Speare's choice of stereotypical dialogue for the Wabanaki people, circa 1768 (me no like white man), as I had already shelved this novel on my “nobody talks like this” shelf, years ago.
Apparently Speare's perspective, from 1983, wasn't entirely accurate, but both Mr. Bruchac and I agree that the story itself is very satisfying, in its overall message.
This adventurous historical fiction, that includes bees, boys, beavers, bears (and a dog), has a winning formula that is strong enough to distract the reader from a couple of dated stereotypes and turn their focus, instead, to a compelling exploration of WHO owns the land and HOW we can forge true friendships among corruption, greed, and false promises.
He suddenly thought of the Indians. He wished that Attean and his grandfather could know that he had been right to stay, that his father had come as he promised them. But the old man had been right, too. More white men were coming. There would be a town here on land where the Indians had hunted the caribou and the beaver. If only he could be sure that the Indians had found a new hunting ground.
--Joseph Bruchac
It was fun to stumble upon an Introduction by Joseph Bruchac in this middle grades novel after so recently discovering one of his own books, PEACEMAKER.
It was also inspiring to remember that a reread can bring about an entirely fresh perspective on familiar material.
This was my 13-year-old's first exposure to this story, and I was happy that she found it as adventurous as I once did. It's easy to get swept up in a story of a young adolescent in a wild setting, free from parents and daily responsibilities, isn't it?
We had fun discovering a wild, wooded Maine, as yet uncorrupted by Walmart and whatnot, with the young protagonist, Matt, and we delighted in learning that the colonists brought the honey bees with them to America and that the Native people, the Wabanaki, had already developed poultices and balms to disarm their stings.
I felt validated when I read that Bruchac shared some criticism for Speare's choice of stereotypical dialogue for the Wabanaki people, circa 1768 (me no like white man), as I had already shelved this novel on my “nobody talks like this” shelf, years ago.
Apparently Speare's perspective, from 1983, wasn't entirely accurate, but both Mr. Bruchac and I agree that the story itself is very satisfying, in its overall message.
This adventurous historical fiction, that includes bees, boys, beavers, bears (and a dog), has a winning formula that is strong enough to distract the reader from a couple of dated stereotypes and turn their focus, instead, to a compelling exploration of WHO owns the land and HOW we can forge true friendships among corruption, greed, and false promises.
He suddenly thought of the Indians. He wished that Attean and his grandfather could know that he had been right to stay, that his father had come as he promised them. But the old man had been right, too. More white men were coming. There would be a town here on land where the Indians had hunted the caribou and the beaver. If only he could be sure that the Indians had found a new hunting ground.
February 6, 2017
For this category of book: Historical Fiction Mid-Elementary to Middle School this is a 5 Star book.
It is a great book to give a child who needs reading practice but likes good stories. I had my recent students
read it aloud to me and it was perfect for that also.
I have read it several times and still did not get bored this time around.
I would say this also qualifies as The Literature of Honor for Middle Boys which I have not put together yet.
It is a great book to give a child who needs reading practice but likes good stories. I had my recent students
read it aloud to me and it was perfect for that also.
I have read it several times and still did not get bored this time around.
I would say this also qualifies as The Literature of Honor for Middle Boys which I have not put together yet.
September 1, 2022
/ 12 year old review has been hidden as i was but a youngin when I wrote it /
August 3, 2019
Great historical fiction novel for YAs. The year is 1768 in Maine. The white men are taking land from the Native Americans. Thirteen-year-old Matt is left alone after the cabin home in the wilderness is built to grab his pregnant wife and young daughter in Massachusetts. While Matt awaits for their return a sly white man steals his prized rifle. When the rifle is gone, Matt realizes he will starve if he cannot shoot his meals or protect himself.
While in the woods one day he gets a hankering for honey, climbing a tree with a honeycomb and many bees. He has now pissed off the bees. Matt dives into the water nearby nearly drowning. Saknis, a Native American chief, has been taking care of this white boy through the forest and saves his life. Matt and Saknis' grandson, Attean, form a friendship full of respect and learning. It is because of Attean's teaching that Matt can survive his circumstances. He also broadens Matt's ideals with questions Matt thought, he as a white person, had rights to.
"An uncomfortable doubt had long been troubling Matt. Now, before Attean went away, he had to know. 'This land,' he said slowly, 'this place where my father built his cabin. Did it belong to your grandfather? Did he own it once?"
"'How one man own ground?' Attean questioned?"
"Well my father owns it now. He bought it."
"I not understand.' Attean scowled. "How can man own land? Land same as air. Land for all people to live on. For beaver and deer. Does deer own land?" (PG 116-117)
(White man now has homes in the low $500k... LOL)
I wish history had been taught with truth instead of the boring half-truths we received. Did you know... that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts paid bounty on Indian scalps? And they were considered the savages? Hmmm... Shameful fact of American history my history teacher never told me about or I would have paid more attention in class.
Enjoyed the story. Short and to the point. Teaching young kids the "importance of seeing other humans- no matter how different- as beings worthy of respect." Joseph Bruchac (Introduction)
While in the woods one day he gets a hankering for honey, climbing a tree with a honeycomb and many bees. He has now pissed off the bees. Matt dives into the water nearby nearly drowning. Saknis, a Native American chief, has been taking care of this white boy through the forest and saves his life. Matt and Saknis' grandson, Attean, form a friendship full of respect and learning. It is because of Attean's teaching that Matt can survive his circumstances. He also broadens Matt's ideals with questions Matt thought, he as a white person, had rights to.
"An uncomfortable doubt had long been troubling Matt. Now, before Attean went away, he had to know. 'This land,' he said slowly, 'this place where my father built his cabin. Did it belong to your grandfather? Did he own it once?"
"'How one man own ground?' Attean questioned?"
"Well my father owns it now. He bought it."
"I not understand.' Attean scowled. "How can man own land? Land same as air. Land for all people to live on. For beaver and deer. Does deer own land?" (PG 116-117)
(White man now has homes in the low $500k... LOL)
I wish history had been taught with truth instead of the boring half-truths we received. Did you know... that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts paid bounty on Indian scalps? And they were considered the savages? Hmmm... Shameful fact of American history my history teacher never told me about or I would have paid more attention in class.
Enjoyed the story. Short and to the point. Teaching young kids the "importance of seeing other humans- no matter how different- as beings worthy of respect." Joseph Bruchac (Introduction)
May 26, 2017
I read this book years ago before I started my Goodreads account and added it to my shelves based on my long term memories of it, but I have lowered my original rating (from 4 stars to 2 stars) after reading several newer articles about its problematic misrepresentation of Native Americans. Please reference these articles in the comments below.
October 15, 2022
Honestly, but for a book published in the 1980s (even in the early 1980s, even in 1983), Elizabeth George Speare's The Sign of the Beaver, it textually and in my humble opinion sounds more like something from the 19th to mid 20th century (or earlier). And while Matt and Attean's friendship is (I guess) generally positively enough depicted, it certainly and totally does NOT AT ALL change or mitigate the truth of the matter that what Elizabeth George Speare has penned in The Sign of the Beaver is for and to me at best massively and sadly stereotyping and (even if likely completely unintentionally) horribly denigrating, racist and bigoted towards Native Americans.
For sadly and annoyingly, The Sign of the Beaver is textually quite replete with ridiculous and ignorant assertions regarding Native Americans and with Elizabeth George Speare also constantly perpetuating and even if I am to be blunt and brutally honest seemingly agreeing with many of the same lame and vile myths and stereotypes European settlers have historically used to justify cultural and actual genocide (and of course kicking Native Americans off of their tribal lands in the process), describing them, depicting Native Americans as generally lazy, dirty, intellectually sub-par, and yes, by Elizabeth George Speare having in The Sign of the Beaver all her Native American characters talk in a broken pigeon English that first and foremost makes them seem and appear as not all that intelligent (and not to mention that the repeated and rather gratuitous usage in The Sign of the Beaver of racially charged slurs like Squaw and Redskins is horrid and in particular so since the author, since Elizabeth George Speare often has her Native American characters utter them).
And while the stereotyping and racially intolerant innuendo and taint found within the pages of The Sign of the Beaver might have been acceptable (albeit still disturbingly cringeworthy) in children's novels from earlier decades and be grudgingly accepted as representing a sign of the time, sorry, but to read this blatant ignorance and racially insensitive bigotry emanating from Elizabeth George Speare's pen in 1983, to and for me, this is not only totally and utterly unacceptable but I also really and truly must question why and how The Sign of the Beaver was awarded a 1984 Newbery Honour designation. And for those claiming that The Sign of the Beaver has simply not aged aged all that well, while this is indeed true to a point, there is actually rather a double whammy to be encountered, as I think it becomes pretty obvious that Elizabeth George Speare's text, that The Sign of the Beaver is petty horribly dated and sad even for the 1980s.
For sadly and annoyingly, The Sign of the Beaver is textually quite replete with ridiculous and ignorant assertions regarding Native Americans and with Elizabeth George Speare also constantly perpetuating and even if I am to be blunt and brutally honest seemingly agreeing with many of the same lame and vile myths and stereotypes European settlers have historically used to justify cultural and actual genocide (and of course kicking Native Americans off of their tribal lands in the process), describing them, depicting Native Americans as generally lazy, dirty, intellectually sub-par, and yes, by Elizabeth George Speare having in The Sign of the Beaver all her Native American characters talk in a broken pigeon English that first and foremost makes them seem and appear as not all that intelligent (and not to mention that the repeated and rather gratuitous usage in The Sign of the Beaver of racially charged slurs like Squaw and Redskins is horrid and in particular so since the author, since Elizabeth George Speare often has her Native American characters utter them).
And while the stereotyping and racially intolerant innuendo and taint found within the pages of The Sign of the Beaver might have been acceptable (albeit still disturbingly cringeworthy) in children's novels from earlier decades and be grudgingly accepted as representing a sign of the time, sorry, but to read this blatant ignorance and racially insensitive bigotry emanating from Elizabeth George Speare's pen in 1983, to and for me, this is not only totally and utterly unacceptable but I also really and truly must question why and how The Sign of the Beaver was awarded a 1984 Newbery Honour designation. And for those claiming that The Sign of the Beaver has simply not aged aged all that well, while this is indeed true to a point, there is actually rather a double whammy to be encountered, as I think it becomes pretty obvious that Elizabeth George Speare's text, that The Sign of the Beaver is petty horribly dated and sad even for the 1980s.
March 6, 2023
I read this out loud to my children many long years ago, and don't remember much about it. Since I've read multiple complaints of it being racist against Native Americans I've thought about rereading it to see what I didn't notice the first time. I don't know if I will.
I recently read another book by the same author, Calico Captive. In that book the Native Americans were the aggressors, kidnapping a young girl and her family, then selling them to the French in Canada to be used as slaves. One could say that's anti-Native American... the only problem with that theory being, it was based on a true story captivity narrative. It happened near the start of the French and Indian War (1754–1763).
The author also wrote The Witch of Blackbird Pond which I remember as being somewhat anti-Puritan, and The Bronze Bow which is set in Israel during Biblical times.
I've read all these books and never had any reason to dislike any of them which is why I find it hard to understand that people attack The Sign of the Beaver for being racist because a lonely boy settler tried to teach a Native American boy how to read.
Also it occurs to me that if a settler boy at that time was raised to think that Native Americans could be dangerous at times, wouldn't it be normal for some fear thoughts to occur? I think the author was trying to be true to the times which is important in historical fiction.
As I recall she was also showing that in the time of the boy's dire need (he was alone at his family's new home) the Native Americans offered their friendship and the comfort of having other human beings around. He may have been afraid of them or uncomfortable when he was initially introduced to their culture, but they were a great help to him. That's how I remember the book.
Anyhow, I probably should reread this book. I haven't read it since about 1995. I remember my children and I enjoyed the book when we read it together so I'm giving it four stars.
I recently read another book by the same author, Calico Captive. In that book the Native Americans were the aggressors, kidnapping a young girl and her family, then selling them to the French in Canada to be used as slaves. One could say that's anti-Native American... the only problem with that theory being, it was based on a true story captivity narrative. It happened near the start of the French and Indian War (1754–1763).
The author also wrote The Witch of Blackbird Pond which I remember as being somewhat anti-Puritan, and The Bronze Bow which is set in Israel during Biblical times.
I've read all these books and never had any reason to dislike any of them which is why I find it hard to understand that people attack The Sign of the Beaver for being racist because a lonely boy settler tried to teach a Native American boy how to read.
Also it occurs to me that if a settler boy at that time was raised to think that Native Americans could be dangerous at times, wouldn't it be normal for some fear thoughts to occur? I think the author was trying to be true to the times which is important in historical fiction.
As I recall she was also showing that in the time of the boy's dire need (he was alone at his family's new home) the Native Americans offered their friendship and the comfort of having other human beings around. He may have been afraid of them or uncomfortable when he was initially introduced to their culture, but they were a great help to him. That's how I remember the book.
Anyhow, I probably should reread this book. I haven't read it since about 1995. I remember my children and I enjoyed the book when we read it together so I'm giving it four stars.
April 26, 2021
The Sign of the Beaver was a really cute book to dive into. Again, another one that was never on my radar until recently. I feel like that happens a lot when you join a challenge - you run into books that you never knew existed.
In it, you will meet Matt. He and his father went to go claim territory and build a new house for their family. Once it was completed, his dad went back to go get the rest of the family. Which leaves Matt by himself in a place he doesn't know well enough. Things don't go easy for him either and it also doesn't help that he is only thirteen years old. Yikes!
This book totally flew by for me and it also dove into great topics. Especially when it comes to people who look different from you. It definitely leaves with the message that all humans deserve respect no matter what.
In it, you will meet Matt. He and his father went to go claim territory and build a new house for their family. Once it was completed, his dad went back to go get the rest of the family. Which leaves Matt by himself in a place he doesn't know well enough. Things don't go easy for him either and it also doesn't help that he is only thirteen years old. Yikes!
This book totally flew by for me and it also dove into great topics. Especially when it comes to people who look different from you. It definitely leaves with the message that all humans deserve respect no matter what.
May 6, 2010
In my book, Sign of the Beaver, Matt an English teenage settler befriends and Indian named Attean. I found this book interesting because during this time the English and the Indians had a relationship that could best be described as fighting.
I couldn’t get over the fact that Matt seemed to be realizing slowly that he wasn’t just bonding with Attean but slowly growing the relationship of a friend. Once Matt started to get to know Attean, through Attean’s father, the boys started to do things together. Attean taught Matt to hunt and trap. Matt taught Attean to speak English. They bonded further when Attean invited Matt to a tribal celebration. Sharing these experiences made Matt comfortable with Attean and he knew he had someone he could count on. He felt less alone in the wilderness. Also he had someone to rely on.
I think this friendship was odd was because of their races. This friendship would be crazy because Attean was an Indian. It’s like a white man becoming friends with a African American man during civil rights. Everything going on around them was against it but neither if them let that affect them. I didn’t see much of that but I could tell from the first time Matt met Attean that he had never had an Indian as a best friend before. In fact he never knew why. That’s one of the reasons I think this author did that. Not just to express how strange this relationship was for this time but too also show how easy it was for people of two different cultures could become friends and be okay with it.
Finally I think matt realized this friendship was different than others because he didn’t end up caring that Attean was an Indian he was just concentrated on him being a friend and a good one at that. I felt that Matt found the true meaning of friendship to him. That’s what I got from this book. Someone you think is an enemy becomes a friend.
I couldn’t get over the fact that Matt seemed to be realizing slowly that he wasn’t just bonding with Attean but slowly growing the relationship of a friend. Once Matt started to get to know Attean, through Attean’s father, the boys started to do things together. Attean taught Matt to hunt and trap. Matt taught Attean to speak English. They bonded further when Attean invited Matt to a tribal celebration. Sharing these experiences made Matt comfortable with Attean and he knew he had someone he could count on. He felt less alone in the wilderness. Also he had someone to rely on.
I think this friendship was odd was because of their races. This friendship would be crazy because Attean was an Indian. It’s like a white man becoming friends with a African American man during civil rights. Everything going on around them was against it but neither if them let that affect them. I didn’t see much of that but I could tell from the first time Matt met Attean that he had never had an Indian as a best friend before. In fact he never knew why. That’s one of the reasons I think this author did that. Not just to express how strange this relationship was for this time but too also show how easy it was for people of two different cultures could become friends and be okay with it.
Finally I think matt realized this friendship was different than others because he didn’t end up caring that Attean was an Indian he was just concentrated on him being a friend and a good one at that. I felt that Matt found the true meaning of friendship to him. That’s what I got from this book. Someone you think is an enemy becomes a friend.
February 15, 2025
February 15, 2025 Second reading (but probably third, if I count my childhood)
What an absolutely fantastic book! It's no wonder that it won so many awards after Speare wrote it in 1983.
Matt is left by himself deep in the woods of Maine, as his father travels to pick up his mother, sister and new-born baby to bring them back to their new settlement. Matt meets Attean, an Indian boy who is around the same age as he is, and while Matt sets out to teach English to Attean, Attean, in turn, teaches Matt so much more. The portrayal of their relationship is so realistic, showing both the divide in their cultural experience, but also the natural similarities of simply being human and young boys. Speare also does an exemplary job of portraying the problematic settling of North America and the effect on Native Americans. She makes neither party the victim nor the perpetrator but simply illustrates the mindset of each and some of the consequences of decisions that are made both innocently and with pointed intent. I did love that Attean and Matt formed a bond as brothers which gives the reader the experience of love and humanity when one attempts to understand someone or something different, instead of rejecting them and/or forming opinions without experience.
Apparently Elizabeth George Speare based this book on a true story that she had heard happen in Milo, Maine.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this one. It's a definite must-read!
What an absolutely fantastic book! It's no wonder that it won so many awards after Speare wrote it in 1983.
Matt is left by himself deep in the woods of Maine, as his father travels to pick up his mother, sister and new-born baby to bring them back to their new settlement. Matt meets Attean, an Indian boy who is around the same age as he is, and while Matt sets out to teach English to Attean, Attean, in turn, teaches Matt so much more. The portrayal of their relationship is so realistic, showing both the divide in their cultural experience, but also the natural similarities of simply being human and young boys. Speare also does an exemplary job of portraying the problematic settling of North America and the effect on Native Americans. She makes neither party the victim nor the perpetrator but simply illustrates the mindset of each and some of the consequences of decisions that are made both innocently and with pointed intent. I did love that Attean and Matt formed a bond as brothers which gives the reader the experience of love and humanity when one attempts to understand someone or something different, instead of rejecting them and/or forming opinions without experience.
Apparently Elizabeth George Speare based this book on a true story that she had heard happen in Milo, Maine.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this one. It's a definite must-read!
April 8, 2010
Ok. I had heard various Native American reviewers pan this book for its stereotypical portrayals. I'm still not that great at evaluating Native American literature but I'll list some things that stuck out to me:
1. Usage of the word squaw. I'm pretty sure that's generally not ok.
2. Going off #1, Speare gives the impression that women were not valued in "Indian" culture.
3. I don't think a tribe name is ever mentioned. The Indians are referred to and refer to themselves as "Indians." (from context I think they are Algonquin?)(update: I looked at Debbie Reese's blog and they are Penobscot)
4. The Indians all speak in stereotypical bad English. I guess at a time when not many could speak English, this might be somewhat realistic but I know it's frowned upon.
5. It seems awfully easy for Matt (the protagonist) to become basically an "honorary Indian."
I think Speare was trying to do a good thing here, showing that the boys could be friends and Matt ends up rejecting some of his prejudices against Indians. However, if you were teaching this book, you'd need to address the things she does wrong.
If you want more in-depth analysis of the problems with this book I suggest checking out Debbie Reese's blog located at americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
1. Usage of the word squaw. I'm pretty sure that's generally not ok.
2. Going off #1, Speare gives the impression that women were not valued in "Indian" culture.
3. I don't think a tribe name is ever mentioned. The Indians are referred to and refer to themselves as "Indians." (from context I think they are Algonquin?)(update: I looked at Debbie Reese's blog and they are Penobscot)
4. The Indians all speak in stereotypical bad English. I guess at a time when not many could speak English, this might be somewhat realistic but I know it's frowned upon.
5. It seems awfully easy for Matt (the protagonist) to become basically an "honorary Indian."
I think Speare was trying to do a good thing here, showing that the boys could be friends and Matt ends up rejecting some of his prejudices against Indians. However, if you were teaching this book, you'd need to address the things she does wrong.
If you want more in-depth analysis of the problems with this book I suggest checking out Debbie Reese's blog located at americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com
January 23, 2025
This did not age well. I would never read this to my 4 year old friend who is Mi’kmaq, never mind any of the other kids in my life, out of shame and embarrassment that this was held up as award winning mandatory elementary school reading in the 80’s. Filled with nonsense racist stereotypes and invisiblizing actual identity (who are the Indigenous people Matt is repeatedly saved by? We don’t get to find out as supposedly the Indigenous people themselves would rather self identity by racial slurs then their nation) this is a white boy colonialist adventure story that ultimately fails to offer anything but a reinforcement of this supremacy over the original peoples, the creatures that live on the land and the land itself. There are a few sections in the book that have elements that could be teachable aha moments but there are so many problematic aspects of the book I’d be very weary giving it to any kid as reading material.
December 31, 2025
Not as intricate as Elizabeth George Speare's better known books, but this tale of Matt's coming of age in the frontier days of Maine is still a great read. Not to be missed by kids and adults alike.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 10, 2021
A quite enjoyable read for a Sunday afternoon. It's simple and easy, asking relevant questions for any young kid in elementary school. Historical without being too overwhelmingly detailed. Heartfelt and sincere without being too sappy. I feel like I read this back during my early homeschool days, but I've no memory of it.
June 27, 2008
Great book for young men! I liked the illustration of "both sides of the story" from the Native American point of view as well as the English settler. I loved the continual comparison to Robinson Crusoe as well as the Bible references and similar Native American version of the story of Noah. I cried when Attean and Matt had to say goodbye. Great story of survival and hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
I remember loving this book as a youngster. Anything to do with American Indian life has always fascinated me, and when you add that to a story about a kid living off the land on his own, and I was destined to be a fan.
Happily, this book totally lived up to my memories of its excellence. I read it aloud to my kids this fall, and all three of them were enthralled. I suspect they'll be rereading it themselves now.
My perspective on this story was a little different now that I'm a parent of half-grown kids myself. I kept imagining what his father must have felt, leaving his twelve-year-old son alone in the middle of the wilderness to take care of the new cabin and the growing crops alone. But, mostly, I got caught up in the adventure of the story and simply enjoyed it the way I did when I was a tween myself.
Happily, this book totally lived up to my memories of its excellence. I read it aloud to my kids this fall, and all three of them were enthralled. I suspect they'll be rereading it themselves now.
My perspective on this story was a little different now that I'm a parent of half-grown kids myself. I kept imagining what his father must have felt, leaving his twelve-year-old son alone in the middle of the wilderness to take care of the new cabin and the growing crops alone. But, mostly, I got caught up in the adventure of the story and simply enjoyed it the way I did when I was a tween myself.
November 12, 2022
I keep trying to figure out if I’d read this before. So many aspects of the story are familiar, yet several parts aren’t (my mom may have read it aloud and I only caught some parts).
Regardless, this was another fascinating historical fiction story that gives a solid glimpse into life in the wilderness. There is some mysticism references that some parents may want to discuss.
It’s probably my least favorite of Speare’s books, but seeing that I adore all her other books, it just means I like this one regularly. ;)
Regardless, this was another fascinating historical fiction story that gives a solid glimpse into life in the wilderness. There is some mysticism references that some parents may want to discuss.
It’s probably my least favorite of Speare’s books, but seeing that I adore all her other books, it just means I like this one regularly. ;)
April 13, 2023
Such a wonderful and important read, especially in the 2020s. More than just a coming of age, boy on his own in the wilderness tale, it delicately shows how people from different cultural backgrounds (who have every reason to distrust and fear one another) can learn to put aside differences and bond over achieving common goals. What a lesson we need in modern times!
I appreciate the way this book deals with the issue of racism, an issue that cannot be avoided when telling a tale about white settlers on Native American land in the 19th century. Even in 1983 when this book was published, it's clear that EGS was purposely and intentionally writing Native American characters who were highly intelligent in both mind and emotion, certainly moreso than the white protagonist of the story, and that she took great care to show that the perceptions by many white people of the time were wrong. The main character, a ten year old white settler, comes to think differently of not only the natives themselves, but of the way of life of his own people ("Can my father really 'own' this land? Can any man 'own' land?") through the friendship he develops with the young native boy, Attean. A friendship that develops slowly through shared experiences and a forced need to learn from one another.
We need to read more books like this today, and to ensure our children are reading these books, so they can have a better understanding than the generations before them of why it is important to look beyond your own experience and learn from others and be willing to let them learn from you.
I appreciate the way this book deals with the issue of racism, an issue that cannot be avoided when telling a tale about white settlers on Native American land in the 19th century. Even in 1983 when this book was published, it's clear that EGS was purposely and intentionally writing Native American characters who were highly intelligent in both mind and emotion, certainly moreso than the white protagonist of the story, and that she took great care to show that the perceptions by many white people of the time were wrong. The main character, a ten year old white settler, comes to think differently of not only the natives themselves, but of the way of life of his own people ("Can my father really 'own' this land? Can any man 'own' land?") through the friendship he develops with the young native boy, Attean. A friendship that develops slowly through shared experiences and a forced need to learn from one another.
We need to read more books like this today, and to ensure our children are reading these books, so they can have a better understanding than the generations before them of why it is important to look beyond your own experience and learn from others and be willing to let them learn from you.
May 27, 2015
This book was very detailed that almost made the book way more interesting. When I found out that the book was based off of an actual story (well mostly) I was shocked with surprise because I usually HATE with a capital H.A.T.E Historical Fiction. The ending of this book took me by surprise because Ben never came back and take something else like Matt's fishing line. He is such a mysterious character that the was surprise to me.
September 11, 2024
Age: 10 - 12
Reading Level: 5th - 7th grades
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 5 Incidents: demmed, golly
Scatological Terms - 2 Incidents: bl**dy (This is used biologically to describe blood flow but has been noted as this word is offensive in some cultures.)
Religious & Supernatural - 3 Incidents: A Native American speaks ritualistically to a fish and later to a bear after he kills them. An Indian Religious story told in response to a Bible story. The Indian says that he goes to find his "manitou," meaning spirit. (Indian coming of age ritual).
Romance Related - 1 Incident: Indians are mentioned a few times as being "half-naked," wearing only breechclothes.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 2 Incidents: A boy lies to a stranger saying his father would be back "anytime now" when in fact his father is away for months. (Lies for safety reasons). "The boy glowered at his grandfather, but he did not dare to speak again. With a black scowl, he stalked out of the cabin." To avoid offending his Indian friend, Matt lies about the character Friday not being a slave to Crusoe when he reads him the story. "When the Indian got that disdainful look in his eyes, Matt hated him." Later in the same paragraph, however, it describes how although they still don't like each other, they are no longer enemies.
Conversation Topics - 5 Incidents: A boy wonders if he actually could shoot a man, "even a criminal". The main characters read Robinson Crusoe together and a section of the story they read says," One of the captives they mercilessly slaughtered. The fire was set blazing for a cannibal feast." A pipe and smoking are mentioned a few times. Racism: "My grandmother hate all white men." His father had always "forbidden him to gamble."
Parent Takeaway
There is some racism throughout the story (from the Indians side), but as the two boys spend a summer together, this is overcome and a close friendship is formed. When winter is setting and it doesn't seem that Matt's father will ever return, the Indians tell Matt they will take care of him, but he must leave with them to a far away land. In the end, Matt decides he can't let his father down but must keep the house and land secure for if/when he does return.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Reading Level: 5th - 7th grades
Cleanliness:
Children's Bad Words
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 5 Incidents: demmed, golly
Scatological Terms - 2 Incidents: bl**dy (This is used biologically to describe blood flow but has been noted as this word is offensive in some cultures.)
Religious & Supernatural - 3 Incidents: A Native American speaks ritualistically to a fish and later to a bear after he kills them. An Indian Religious story told in response to a Bible story. The Indian says that he goes to find his "manitou," meaning spirit. (Indian coming of age ritual).
Romance Related - 1 Incident: Indians are mentioned a few times as being "half-naked," wearing only breechclothes.
Attitudes/Disobedience - 2 Incidents: A boy lies to a stranger saying his father would be back "anytime now" when in fact his father is away for months. (Lies for safety reasons). "The boy glowered at his grandfather, but he did not dare to speak again. With a black scowl, he stalked out of the cabin." To avoid offending his Indian friend, Matt lies about the character Friday not being a slave to Crusoe when he reads him the story. "When the Indian got that disdainful look in his eyes, Matt hated him." Later in the same paragraph, however, it describes how although they still don't like each other, they are no longer enemies.
Conversation Topics - 5 Incidents: A boy wonders if he actually could shoot a man, "even a criminal". The main characters read Robinson Crusoe together and a section of the story they read says," One of the captives they mercilessly slaughtered. The fire was set blazing for a cannibal feast." A pipe and smoking are mentioned a few times. Racism: "My grandmother hate all white men." His father had always "forbidden him to gamble."
Parent Takeaway
There is some racism throughout the story (from the Indians side), but as the two boys spend a summer together, this is overcome and a close friendship is formed. When winter is setting and it doesn't seem that Matt's father will ever return, the Indians tell Matt they will take care of him, but he must leave with them to a far away land. In the end, Matt decides he can't let his father down but must keep the house and land secure for if/when he does return.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
January 5, 2024
For the time period this book was written in, I was pleasantly surprised at the way they approached native/settler conflict. I grew to love both of the main characters as the author humanizes them and highlights deep themes of friendship, honor, manhood, and family loyalty. I definitely enjoyed the survivalist/nature content as well and how literature (and its erroneous portrayals at times) and literacy impact the way someone moves through life.
May 25, 2016
I thought the Sign of the Beaver was a five star book because there was so much action that made you wonder will he make it or something else. We read this book during class. It had so many wondering moments like " Will Matts parents make it back to sleep the cabin?" That's why I gave this book the amazing five stars because it was one of the best books I have read.
March 10, 2016
Both my daughter and I found this book captivating. We're both fans of Native American stories, and of stories of survival. We got both with this one.
Highly recommended for younger readers with a taste for pioneer-life fiction.
Highly recommended for younger readers with a taste for pioneer-life fiction.
October 27, 2024
4 🌟
An excellent story of survival in the aftermath of the French & Indian War. Matt learns the keys to survival from unexpected friends who teach him the true meaning of family and kindness.
An excellent story of survival in the aftermath of the French & Indian War. Matt learns the keys to survival from unexpected friends who teach him the true meaning of family and kindness.
May 4, 2022
The first read aloud in awhile that we all rated 5 stars! I have 3 boys, ages 9, 7, & 5, and this book is very much geared towards that gender and age. The book is thin, but it's not the fast paced, quick read of a modern novel. It's rich and deserves to be taken slowly. I loved that it spoke to the Native American's perspective. What would it be like to be a native when the white man just moves right in? It was great at presenting that angle. Overall this was fantastic and I'm so glad we read it!
April 29, 2009
2.5 stars
This book was a well-written and entertaining boy-coming-of-age-in-nature story in the same genre as books like My Side of the Mountain, Summer of the Monkeys, and Where the Red Fern Grows. However, since it as copyrighted in 1983, and concerns Indians, I couldn't help but be wary of it, especially considering that it is a Newbery Honor book that I remember was required reading for most 4th graders when I was in elementary school. While the portrayal of Native Americans in The Sign of the Beaver isn't negative, I did find it stereotypical with Native Americans being used more as a symbol of the ideal of living in harmony with nature, and the "White Man" being used as a symbol of the costs of the industrialism, exploration, and the expansion of "western" civilization.
I'm also a suspect of the fact that the tribe that the main character encounters is never named, and that some of the "Indian culture" seems like a mishmash of different tribal practices, or what people would stereotypically think of when they think of Indians, such as all the men wearing only loin cloths; the women doing all the work while being disdained by the men, who only hunt; and the coming-of-age spirit-vision quest for young braves. While some tribes actually did (and maybe still do) practice these things, it just seemed to me as if not much research went into writing the novel to make it good historical fiction.
In remembering that this book was required reading for many elementary school students, I'm sure that many people remember it with fondness, and many teachers think that it it great reading. However, for the reasons that I've stated, I don't believe that it's good multicultural literature, that there are many other better books for children to read, and that, while the book is not racist in the sense that overtly negative ideas are made about Native Americans, it is still detrimental because of the stoic Indian nature-preserver stereotype that it propagates.
This book was a well-written and entertaining boy-coming-of-age-in-nature story in the same genre as books like My Side of the Mountain, Summer of the Monkeys, and Where the Red Fern Grows. However, since it as copyrighted in 1983, and concerns Indians, I couldn't help but be wary of it, especially considering that it is a Newbery Honor book that I remember was required reading for most 4th graders when I was in elementary school. While the portrayal of Native Americans in The Sign of the Beaver isn't negative, I did find it stereotypical with Native Americans being used more as a symbol of the ideal of living in harmony with nature, and the "White Man" being used as a symbol of the costs of the industrialism, exploration, and the expansion of "western" civilization.
I'm also a suspect of the fact that the tribe that the main character encounters is never named, and that some of the "Indian culture" seems like a mishmash of different tribal practices, or what people would stereotypically think of when they think of Indians, such as all the men wearing only loin cloths; the women doing all the work while being disdained by the men, who only hunt; and the coming-of-age spirit-vision quest for young braves. While some tribes actually did (and maybe still do) practice these things, it just seemed to me as if not much research went into writing the novel to make it good historical fiction.
In remembering that this book was required reading for many elementary school students, I'm sure that many people remember it with fondness, and many teachers think that it it great reading. However, for the reasons that I've stated, I don't believe that it's good multicultural literature, that there are many other better books for children to read, and that, while the book is not racist in the sense that overtly negative ideas are made about Native Americans, it is still detrimental because of the stoic Indian nature-preserver stereotype that it propagates.
June 25, 2016
3 ½ stars. Nice story for ages 10 and up.
It’s educational about surviving in the wild Indian style - and seeing a friendship develop between Indian boy Attean and Matt who is 12 years old. Attean’s grandfather wants Matt to teach Attean how to read and write in white man’s language. Attean teaches Matt how to trap, fish, make a bow and arrow, etc. I liked learning things that the Indians did.
It’s a pleasant read, but it didn’t excite me or surprise me the way “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen did. Hatchet was the story of a boy surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Matt lives alone in a cabin in the wilderness in 1768 Maine. Matt and his father built a cabin and planted corn and pumpkins. Then the father left for many months to get his wife and other child to bring them to the cabin.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 144 pages. Swearing language: none. Sexual content: none. Setting: 1768 Maine. Copyright: 1983. Genre: children’s fiction.
It’s educational about surviving in the wild Indian style - and seeing a friendship develop between Indian boy Attean and Matt who is 12 years old. Attean’s grandfather wants Matt to teach Attean how to read and write in white man’s language. Attean teaches Matt how to trap, fish, make a bow and arrow, etc. I liked learning things that the Indians did.
It’s a pleasant read, but it didn’t excite me or surprise me the way “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen did. Hatchet was the story of a boy surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Matt lives alone in a cabin in the wilderness in 1768 Maine. Matt and his father built a cabin and planted corn and pumpkins. Then the father left for many months to get his wife and other child to bring them to the cabin.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 144 pages. Swearing language: none. Sexual content: none. Setting: 1768 Maine. Copyright: 1983. Genre: children’s fiction.
October 18, 2023
A book I read many years ago that I thoroughly enjoyed!
July 22, 2023
Of over 100 books read so far in 2023, this is by far my least favorite. My first 1 star of 2023 at book #118.
I do not recommend that book unless you want to read bigoted and damaging racist views of Native Americans; it was hard to stomach it. I wanted to DNF so hard it made me sick to read.
It is one thing to make characters for readers to hate, I get that. I love Stephen King, he has some despicable characters, for sure.
However, this book is geared toward a middle-grade and teen audience, AND it won awards! Not only is its portrayal of Native Americans disgusting, but it's also not even well-written in terms of dialogue and story flow. Also, being written by a female author somehow makes it worse.
The main character is a self-righteous little jerk that finds himself lost and helped by Native Americans. Then he feels like they all OWE him something, and how dare he be bothered to teach the ignorant and unkept Natives how to read. Their speech is horrendous. How could they have any intelligence at all without a proper little white boy to teach them?
The American Indian characters in this book are portrayed as lazy, dirty, and intellectually lacking, almost to the point of mental handicap. This is further reinforced through the use of broken pigeon English in the majority of the dialogue, while the lost affluent white boy uses words well beyond his years.
I get that this was published in the 1980s, but wow, this portrayal was LAUDED! These are its accolades: Newbery Medal Nominee (1984), Scott O'Dell Award (1984), Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (1983), Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee (1985), Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis Nominee (1), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (1984), California Young Readers Medal Nominee for Intermediate (1987), Best Children's Books of the Year (Bank Street College of Education) (1983); meaning this was peak literature to give to CHILDREN!!! I was born 1 year after this was written, and I was NEVER taught to think like this about Native Americans; this would have been gross to my parents at the time as well, having been born in the 1960s.
The most positive thing I can say about this book is that thank goodness, so many people have learned from better literary portrayals and have continued to DO BETTER 30-40 years later.
I feel like I need to burn this book and cleanse myself of its taint. No child should read this unless it is an example of how literature and racist portrayals of characters can HARM an entire group of people, and show these feelings that we have grown as human beings at least in some ways.
1 star. Only because I can't give it negative stars.
I do not recommend that book unless you want to read bigoted and damaging racist views of Native Americans; it was hard to stomach it. I wanted to DNF so hard it made me sick to read.
It is one thing to make characters for readers to hate, I get that. I love Stephen King, he has some despicable characters, for sure.
However, this book is geared toward a middle-grade and teen audience, AND it won awards! Not only is its portrayal of Native Americans disgusting, but it's also not even well-written in terms of dialogue and story flow. Also, being written by a female author somehow makes it worse.
The main character is a self-righteous little jerk that finds himself lost and helped by Native Americans. Then he feels like they all OWE him something, and how dare he be bothered to teach the ignorant and unkept Natives how to read. Their speech is horrendous. How could they have any intelligence at all without a proper little white boy to teach them?
The American Indian characters in this book are portrayed as lazy, dirty, and intellectually lacking, almost to the point of mental handicap. This is further reinforced through the use of broken pigeon English in the majority of the dialogue, while the lost affluent white boy uses words well beyond his years.
I get that this was published in the 1980s, but wow, this portrayal was LAUDED! These are its accolades: Newbery Medal Nominee (1984), Scott O'Dell Award (1984), Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (1983), Vermont Golden Dome Book Award Nominee (1985), Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis Nominee (1), Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (1984), California Young Readers Medal Nominee for Intermediate (1987), Best Children's Books of the Year (Bank Street College of Education) (1983); meaning this was peak literature to give to CHILDREN!!! I was born 1 year after this was written, and I was NEVER taught to think like this about Native Americans; this would have been gross to my parents at the time as well, having been born in the 1960s.
The most positive thing I can say about this book is that thank goodness, so many people have learned from better literary portrayals and have continued to DO BETTER 30-40 years later.
I feel like I need to burn this book and cleanse myself of its taint. No child should read this unless it is an example of how literature and racist portrayals of characters can HARM an entire group of people, and show these feelings that we have grown as human beings at least in some ways.
1 star. Only because I can't give it negative stars.
May 12, 2024
I read this aloud to my kiddos and we all enjoyed it immensely! I love a book that introduces new experiences and ways of living to them, and this was perfect for discussions on those topics. I also love a good book with themes of resiliency, to encourage problem solving in my kids' lives, and this story had it's fair share of dilemmas. A lot of great discussions came from this novel, so it hit all the marks of a great read-aloud for me!
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