Sign of the Beaver, a classic historical fiction piece penned by Elizabeth George Speare (Dell Publishing Group, 1983), takes place in the Maine territory in 1769, about five years after the French and Indian War ended. This was a time in history when Native Americans and white settlers found themselves in conflict over land due to the rise in settlements and the Native Americans’ inability to read the land treaties presented to them. This left the Native Americans at a disadvantage. Matt, the twelve-year-old main character—a white settler who can read—finds himself in the middle of the conflict.

Readers are invited into Matt’s story of courage and boldness as he is left alone to care for the homestead and secure the log cabin he and his father built. While his father is gone, Matt faces new situations, some dangerous. He stays alone in the cabin, tends the corn, chinks the spaces between the log walls, and keeps track of the passing days by notching sticks and winding the silver watch his father left with him. Matt knows the tasks left in his care will be important for the family’s eventual survival. Matt also makes a friend, Attean, grandson of the Beaver tribe leader. The friendship is gradual, growing as Attean teaches Matt survival skills in exchange for Matt teaching Attean English. This poignant narrative provides readers with opportunities to ponder the value of family and friends, the power of boldness and courage, and the beauty of nature.

“…readers come to understand some of the influential details of this historical era through a main character they will remember long after the last word is read.”

Learn

Define array, beckon, bellow, bewildered, boisterous, chinking, coax, contemptuous, chagrined, comrade, crouch, defiance, envious, frenzied, gingerly, glare, gravely, grim, incomprehensible, lunge, meager, nonchalantly, placid, proprietor, pungent, ruefully, scowl, sapling, shrewd, splice, stout, and wary.

At the time this book was set, Maine was part of Massachusetts until it became its own state, the twenty-third of the nation, in 1820. Print a map of the United States. Use an atlas or online resource to locate and label the northeastern states of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. In addition, label:

Do

Begin a nature journal with samples of leaves, leaf and bark rubbings, pressed flowers and foliage, and photographs or sketches of flowers, leaves, plants, and animals in your area. Identify and label the samples or sketches.

Talk about the differences between the homes of Matt and Attean. How does Attean’s home differ from the homes of other Native American tribes? Build a paper or cardboard tepee, wigwam, or longhouse. Use items found in nature to help design your home.

Native Americans used what was available to them. When they hunted for food, the meat was eaten or preserved and the hide was used for clothing, blankets, and other items. Visit a fabric or leather shop and purchase leather or a leather kit to make something useful.

Discuss

Matt’s father tells him to talk to the Indians kindly. Talk about what it means to honor and show respect for other people, including individuals from other cultures. Topics could include showing respect for cultural differences, listening actively to what someone is saying, and speaking respectfully to people. Talk about how these practices and others are related to Romans 12:10, Philippians 2:3, and I Peter 2:17.

Talk about some of the challenging scenarios Matt faced: missing his family, having his gun disappear, a bear entering the cabin, being attacked by a swarm of bees, not being able to shoot arrows from his bow, fishing with a spear, and deciding whether or not to leave the home. How did he overcome these challenges? What can we learn from Matt and apply to our lives?

Family Fun

Spend the weekend camping at a nature preserve or state park. Learn how to classify firewood (kindling, tinder, fuel) and safely build a campfire. Plan for and prepare a campfire meal. Enjoy nature or hiking trails, pack a picnic lunch for your walking adventure, and enjoy s’mores around the fire.

Research the edible and poisonous plants and flowers in your area. Write two or three sentences describing the characteristics of each plant. Sketch or photograph examples of each.

Matt reads Robinson Crusoe to Attean and teaches him English skills. Read Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe as a read-aloud or independent read. As a family or personal service project, volunteer to read books to preschoolers at church or residents at an assisted living facility.

Attitude affects words and behaviors and ultimately contributes to personal growth, as well as how one navigates adversity. Discuss examples of how attitude played a role in the events of the book. Give some examples of how attitude influences events or relationships in your family. Could a change in attitude have been helpful in these situations?

Elizabeth George Speare brilliantly and gently weaves history into the text of the book. In doing so, readers come to understand some of the influential details of this historical era through a main character they will remember long after the last word is read.