The Sign of the Beaver (Review)

Alternative Names: None.

Review No.: 0.09.3000.010

Table of Contents

Review No.: 0.09.3000.010
    1. Review
    2. Review Information
        a. Author
        b. Copyright and Usage
    3. Creator(s)
    4. Related Reviews
    5. Related Products

Review

Of the many wonderful uses to which this story might be put, not the least is the window it helps a child open onto the fact that different cultures see things differently.

The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare is set in territorial Maine in days when Native American cultures still thrived there. Matt and his father build a cabin and prepare for the rest of the family to join them. When Mother fails to arrive, Matt’s father sets out to find them. Matt and the reader are left in the brooding solitude of the all-engulfing wood. The presence of the forest people who live upon the land, but do not "own" and use it as the settlers do, is all around the little island clearing.

The sunshine of the seasons pass. The time for Father’s return approaches and then is gone. Stores in the little cabin run perilously low. The concepts of survival and ingenuity, prevalent in Speare’s work, along with adaptation and especially friendship resurfaces here. Matt finds a companion and true friend in Attean, a member of the nearby tribe. There is plenty of suspense, and the tale is told with skill that puts the reader in the story. Perhaps, the finest thing about the book is the warmth that comes from reaching across language and culture, across barriers of fear, to find that help and friendship and respect are common to everyone.

Review Information

Author

Nancy Young

Copyright and Usage

This review is Copyright 2008 • By Nancy Young • All Rights Reserved.

Educational and personal use of this article is allowed. However, re-publication, reproduction, or other use of this article is prohibited without the consent of the author(s) and Al Young Studios. To request usage rights, please contact us.

Furthermore, any image with this article may be copyrighted. If you wish to use it for any purpose, please contact us before doing so. In cases where the image is copyrighted, Al Young Studios is using for the sole purpose of illustrating a critical article, which is considered fair-use under United States copyright law.

Creator(s)

Elizabeth George Speare

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