Twelve-year-old Matt is left on his own in the Maine wilderness while his father leaves to bring the rest of the family to their new settlement. When he befriends Attean, an Indian chief’s grandson, he is invited to join the Beaver tribe and move north. Should Matt abandon his hopes of ever seeing his family again and go on to a new life?
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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"Totally a guy book. But, as a girl reading it, I must say that I stayed interested the whole time! Matt and his father, in the 18th century, go to Maine to get everything ready for his mother and sister's arrival such as building the log cabin and planting crops. But Matt's father must go back to get the girls and Matt is left alone in the cabin for the time. Things happen that he can't control and he must learn how to deal with these things until finally some local Indians have pity on him and help him in many ways. This was actually a pretty good book and I can see why it won the Newbery Honor."
— Julie (4 out of 5 stars)
" actually, I HAVE 2 read it because of our reading groups- I'm in it with, Bill, Brandon, and Matt "
— Luther, 2/20/2014" Good young adult book...kids read it for school. "
— Shelli, 2/6/2014" This is a wonderful story with simple words and deep running themes about coming of age doing what's right taking care of others duty honoring promises being faithful learning to survive on your own and family love. I reaaly enjoyed it. "
— bkjunkie, 2/5/2014" I love this book because it is soooo much fun to read!!!! I learned that you can make alot of thing with just youre hands "
— Sabrina, 2/2/2014" First book I had every read. Great story, must have. "
— Harry, 1/23/2014" I love Speare's books, but I had never read this one, thinking it was a "boy" book. When my boy was seven we got it from the library to read in school and, afterwards, we went and bought it since we both love it so much. We read it again just recently for our homeschool book club and it was just as good the secong time and this time Dad and little sister got into it. I loved it as much as my son. "
— Anna, 1/14/2014" In my quest to read some classics and Newbery books that I've never read, I picked this one up. It had a great story, well-developed characters and setting and nice ending (everything I like!). It's suitable for girls or boys but is told from a boy's perspective at age 13 so I think when my son gets older he'll really like it. It teaches a lot of good lessons - faith (in his parents returning), trust (in his newfound friends), courage, responsibility, perseverance, etc. "
— Leslie, 1/10/2014" I just found this in one of my old boxes. When I was in fifth grade I read this book and loved it, it's still a really good book. It is wrote for a young audience, but is still a great quick read. It's about a father taking his son into the west to start a homestead in the mountains. His dad leaves to go get his the rest of the family, but don't come back and the son runs out of supplies. The only way he survives is with the help of an Indian how teaches him how to live off the forest. "
— Brian, 1/2/2014" it is a class book!!!!! kind of boring, but not always. "
— Molly, 12/24/2013" it was a good book but not the best kinda recomed it and kinda hard to comprehend "
— Claire, 10/23/2013" Really enjoyed reading this outloud with my 7 year old son. Very good for boys! "
— Aisha, 10/17/2013" Kind of a odd book but it isnt a bad book. If you like history you'll like this book i think. "
— Maddie, 10/8/2013" Read aloud to kids. Interesting read, though looking at reviews it is apparently not considered an accurate view of Native Americans. Still a fun read. "
— Malina, 9/12/2013" Love the relationship that white boy forges with Indians. I'm always fascinated how to survive in the wilderness. Great tips in this book! "
— Vic, 8/8/2013" Wonderful book. Reading books like this take me back to the magic of childhood. "
— Brett, 5/18/2013" Good upper elementary book "
— Michelle, 1/3/2013" This was such a delighful read. I liked how the boys, Matt and Attean friendship grow. It althought ended to soon. I would have loved for this story to go on and on. "
— Janet, 11/17/2012" I read this with my 3rd-6th grade students. I enjoyed it very much so was surprised that some of my students weren't as excited about it. "
— Kelli, 10/17/2012" A timeless book that talks about friendship, family, trust and believing in yourself - even when the odds are against you. It's the story of how two teenage boys of different racial backgrounds overcome their small prejudices and befriend each other and learn from their experiences together. "
— Arantxa, 5/23/2012" It was a good book. I learned that friends and family are very important "
— Jordynn, 5/9/2012" I read this book in school and it was my favorite of all the books I read that year. It was adventurous and I liked that. "
— Huda, 2/1/2012" This is an awesome novel! It really gives the meaning of friendship :P "
— Alec, 12/14/2011" Read this book with my son Reuben. Great story for young preteen boys! Touching story...worth the read. "
— Christine, 7/30/2011" I believe the teen chews tree sap instead of gum? This blew my mind. I tried it, but either did something terribly wrong or I'm just not 'core enough. "
— Wealhtheow, 6/19/2011" Old Children's Book. Liked it as a kid, but haven't read it in years. "
— Patrick, 5/16/2011" We started reading this book the week we were going camping. We loved Matt's relationship with the Indians and all the survival skills he learns. This was a great book for a boy (which is sometimes hard to come by) but Katelyn definately enjoyed it too. <br/><br/> "
— Jody, 5/12/2011" I taught this to my seventh graders as part of a series of "in the wilderness" type books. I am not sure that any of us really enjoyed the book, so much, but it was also short and action-filled enough that none of them complained about it either. "
— chris, 5/5/2011" Listened in car as an audio book. We all enjoyed it. It is a classic and helped my boys climb into the world of pioneers and Native Americans "
— Rebecca, 4/27/2011" Many good turning points in this story of a boy who lives in a cabin and befriends and Indian boy. Survival skills in the wild. "
— Dondero, 4/22/2011" This book was an excellent cross-curricular novel with American History objectives. "
— Michelle, 4/21/2011" Would highly recommend to 9-13 year old boys (and some girls). Short, too the point and no fluff. "
— Maureen, 4/16/2011" pretty good exept for one part if u want 2 know wat it is comment "
— Juliana, 4/11/2011" it sucked epicly i read it it is not a good book dont like it. "
— Taj, 3/16/2011" I thought this was a really good book. I actuly enjoyed reading this book. I liked it because it was a short story. I also liked it because it has some action in it. "
— Bryton, 3/16/2011" this is the most incredible book i ever read because when i was ten years old i did this book<br/>for book report and every teacher love it now is 20 but i still love. "
— Beenita, 3/9/2011Elizabeth George Speare (1908–1994), born and raised in Melrose, Massachusetts, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Boston University, taught high school, married, and raised two children before beginning her career as a writer. Her prizewinning writings for children and young adults are noted for their authentic settings, intriguing plots, and accurate historical details.