Sunday, October 25, 2020

The Sign of the Beaver

 Written by: Elizabeth George Speare

First line: Matt stood at the edge of the clearing for some time after his father had gone out of sight among the trees.

Why you should read this book: Matt and his father have spent all spring and summer preparing a new home in Maine in 1769, but when Matt's father leaves him to protect their claim while he retrieves his wife and daughter from Massachusetts, a series of unfortunate events makes it difficult for Matt to feed and protect himself. Befriended by an Indian chief, he finds himself the tutor of the chief's unwilling grandson, Attean whose interest in learning to read is almost nonexistent and who is much less impressed with Matt than his grandfather. In time, the two boys become friends and Matt realizes he has much more to learn from Attean than Attean has to learn from him.

Why you shouldn't read this book: This book has received some criticism for its stereotypical depiction of American Indians.


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