Sign of the Beaver

June 24, 2008 by Myscha Theriault

Looking to integrate Native American heritage with a state of Maine studies unit? This title by Elizabeth George Speare might be just the ticket.

In this historical fiction piece for intermediate students, a young man is left alone in the wild to tend the new homestead while his father returns to civilization for the rest of the family. He makes friends with a reluctant Native American boy and at the request of the boy’s father, teaches him to read. When his father is late arriving back with the family, the boy begins to fear the worst and must decide whether to stay and wait, or travel with his friend’s tribe, who are leaving for good.

This tale of coming of age is an excellent title for use in literature circles or whole group instruction.

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