Recommended for: Intermediate Years (4th-8th)

• The Sign of the Beaver Book Study with weekly lesson plans, recipes, and more
• The Sign of the Beaver Book Report Template
• The Sign of the Beaver Extension Book List
• Multimedia Reference Materials links
• Book Club Meet-up Guide

Overview of The Sign of the Beaver

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare is a children’s historical novel that follows 13-year-old Matt Hallowell, an 18th-century American settler in Maine. After he and his father build a log cabin in the wilderness, Matt goes on many adventures as he is left alone to guard the cabin when his father leaves to retrieve the rest of their family.

While guarding the cabin, Matt learns how to survive in the wilderness with help from an Indian chief’s grandson, Attean, and his family. As Matt questions whether or not his father will return, he is invited to join the Beaver tribe and move north.

This coming-of-age story explores survival in the wilderness, historical themes, cultural differences, nature, and so much more. It is the winner of two Newbery Medals and a Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal.

Themes covered in this study

• History of log cabins
• Geography and history of Maine
• Wabanaki tribes
• French-Indian War
• Bees and hives
• Primitive animal traps
• Beaver dams/beavers
• Edible and poisonous plants
• Black Bear
• Native American homes
• Native American games
• Native American food
• Moose
• Fisher Cat