The Sign of the Beaver
 | |
| Author | Elizabeth George Speare |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's, Historical novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
Publication date | February 1983 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) & Audio Book |
| Pages | 144 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-395-33890-5 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
The Sign of the Beaver is a historical fiction children's novel by author Elizabeth George Speare, which won numerous awards for its strong literary merit (list below). It was published in February 1983, and has become one of her classic and most popular works. The Sign of the Beaver has also been made into a television movie, called Keeping the Promise.
The idea for this book came from a short story that Elizabeth George Speare discovered, about a young boy who was left alone for a summer in the Maine wilderness and was befriended by an Indian and his young son.
Plot summary
The Sign of the Beaver tells the story of a 13-year-old boy named Matthew Hallowell and his father, who, as early settlers, together build a wooden cottage in Maine in 1768. However, Matt's father must head back to Quincy, Massachusetts to fetch Matt's mother, sister, and soon-to-be-born sibling who were all left behind. Matt's father promises to return in seven weeks and Matt is left alone with his father's old watch (a family heirloom) and a hunting rifle to guard the family's newly-built homestead and field crops. Unfortunately, Matt quickly finds himself enduring many hardships for which he is not quite prepared, including the loss of his hunting rifle when it is stolen by a settler named Ben, and a break-in by a hungry bear.
One day Matt foolishly tries to unsuccessfully rob a bee's nest for honey and is stung many times by the furious insects. He runs fast and quickly to the lake and lays there until the bees go away. He pokes his head out of the water only when his lungs are bursting but then the beastly creatures will sting him.As his lungs swelled up, someone rescued him, and took out the bee barbs. When he returns to consciousness he discovers that the bee stings have been treated by an elderly Penobscot Indian chief named Saknis and his 14-ryear-old grandson, Attean. Thankful, Matt offers his only book, Robinson Crusoe, to Attean. however, Attean cannot read English so Saknis eventually suggests that in return for reading lessons they will provide him with meat. Although hesitant at first, and fully aware that Robinson Crusoe is a novel entirely too difficult for a beginning reader, Matt accepts the task of teaching Attean to read.
Matt does not immediately befriend Attean, although the two young boys eventually form a strong friendship as they help each other through difficult circumstances. When Matt's family has not yet returned after many months Attean invites Matt to join his tribe, who are moving North to new hunting grounds. Although Matt is good friends with Attean and enjoys Indian culture, he has not forgotten his family. Matt is forced to make a decision, should he stay behind at the cabin and wait for his family who may never return, or should he join the Beaver Clan and risk never seeing his family again? He decides to wait, although parting from his new friend, Attean, is difficult. The two boys trade gifts, Matt giving Attean his treasured watch and Attean leaving his dog behind with Matt. Sure enough, Matt's family returns in the winter, just as the first big snow of the season arrives.
Awards and nominations
- A Newbery Honor Book
- 1983 Josette Frank Award
- Christopher Award
- A Booklist Editors' Choice
- Horn Book Fanfare
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
- An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
- An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
- The New York Times Best Book of the Year