At a glance
The Sign of the Beaver
Children's historical fiction
The Sign of the Beaver
144 pages · First published 2011
Twelve-year-old Matt Hallowell is determined to prove he can manage on his own when his father leaves their newly built cabin in the Maine wilderness to bring the rest of their family from Massachusetts. But after a wandering stranger steals his rifle, a bear destroys his food supplies, and a swarm of bees nearly kills him, Matt realizes that surviving alone will be harder than he imagined. His rescue by a Native American elder named Saknis leads to an unusual arrangement: Matt will teach Saknis's grandson, Attean, to read English in exchange for food and lessons in wilderness survival. Though the boys initially distrust one another, their growing friendship challenges Matt's assumptions about the land, its original inhabitants, and the settlers moving into their territory. Set against the forests of eighteenth-century Maine, this Newbery Honor-winning adventure will appeal to middle-grade readers who enjoy historical fiction, wilderness survival, unlikely friendships, and stories of courage, independence, and understanding across cultural differences.
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Jump to the pours ↓Honey Lemon Fizz + Maple & Orange Old Fashioned
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
Child endangerment and wilderness survival hazards, including a serious bee attack, near-drowning, dangerous animal encounters, food shortages, and isolation. Hunting and trapping, the killing of a threatening bear, and an injured dog caught in a trap. References to the murder and scalping of a Native American woman, the disappearance of her husband after seeking revenge, and the historical practice of offering bounties for Native American scalps; these events are discussed rather than graphically depicted. Serious family illness and the death of an infant, disclosed without graphic detail. Colonial prejudice, displacement of Indigenous peoples, and dated or offensive language about Native Americans, including racial stereotypes and stereotyped speech patterns. **Editor's note**: First published in 1983, this historical novel explores friendship between a colonial settler and a Native American boy, but includes dated terminology and stereotyped portrayals of Indigenous people. Readers may benefit from discussing these elements in their historical context. The 2011 edition includes an introduction by Joseph Bruchac addressing the relationship between Native peoples and settlers.
Alcohol-Free Pour
Honey Lemon Fizz
Honey recalls Matt's ill-fated search for a wild beehive, an encounter that unexpectedly leads to the friendship that transforms his summer.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Stir the lemon juice and honey syrup together in a highball glass. Add ice, then top with sparkling water and stir gently.
- Garnish: Lemon wheel.
- Glassware: Highball glass.
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Highball glass ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Maple & Orange Old Fashioned
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
Maple sweetness recalls Attean's parting gift to Matt, a small but meaningful symbol of the friendship they forge in the Maine wilderness.
What you'll need
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/4 oz pure maple syrup ↗
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel ↗
- Ice
Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.
How to mix it
- Add the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until well chilled.
- Strain over one large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Express the orange peel over the drink, rub it around the rim, and add it as the garnish.
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Rocks glass ↗Mixing glass ↗Set up the bar cart
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