The Sign of the Beaver

      

        

          
by Elizabeth George Speare
          


          In
          1768, Matt and his dad come to the new world and build a house
          in what later became the state of Maine. Matt's dad has to leave
          to bring the rest of the family from England. His family consists
          of Matt, his dad, his mom, his younger sister, and a baby that
          has not yet been born.
          
 
          
Matt
          is worried about being left all alone but he must stay in order
          to protect the family's house and land. Matt keeps track of time
          by making notches in sticks, one for each day. Meanwhile, he
          must also fish and keep the corn crops growing to stay alive.
          
 
          
After
          a wasp attack, Matt's life is saved by an Indian boy, Attean,
          and his grandfather. In repayment of their kindness, Matt teaches
          Attean to read English. After each lesson, they spend the rest
          of the day hunting and fishing. One day Matt and Attean came
          across the markings of a beaver. Attean tells Matt that the markings
          mean that these beavers are babies, so the Indians will not hunt
          them. Attean tells Matt that there is a sign for every animal.
          Now when Matt wanders through the forest he finds many signs
          of different animals .
          
 
          
At
          the end of the book, Matt is unsure whether his family will ever
          return and is invited to go north with the Indians. Read The
          Sign of the Beaver to find out which choice Matt makes.