Editorial Review

When his father returns East to collect the rest of the family,13-year-old Matt is left alone to guard his family's newly built homestead. One day, Matt is brutally stung when he robs a bee tree for honey. He returns to consciousness to discover that his many stings have been treated by an old Native American and his grandson. Matt offers his only book as thanks, but the old man instead asks Matt to teach his grandson Attean to read. Both boys are suspicious, but Attean comes each day for his lesson. In the mornings, Matt tries to entice Attean with tales from Read more

Reviews (169)

Great summer Read.
one thing i remeber about summer reading lists for school, was that they tried to pick the most boring, shoot yourself in the foot, educational reads they could find. almost as if to make people(kids) hate reading? I mean how many kinds will voluntarily sit down and read a book any way? Dosen't it make more sense to make everyone read 1 book that they like, instead of several ones that they can't stand?
Sign Of The Beaver
The book is amazing! It is about a boy named Matt who is left alone in the woods to guard the familys caben while his dad goes to bring the rest of the family to the caben. If you like realistick fictionthis is a great book for you it is writtin by Elizabeth Speare who is also the auther of The Witch OfBlackbird Pond.

The Sign Of The Beaver
The Sign Of the Beaver
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fiction    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. Historical - United States - Colonial    9. History - General    10. Indians of North America    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Survival    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (80)

Great Book
I thought this book was great - it had adventure. The overall feel reminded me of the book "Now I Know the Story of Samson". I recommend it to anyone.

An Inspirational Holy Land Adventure
This is a wonderful portrayal of the Holy Land at the time of Jesus's ministrations. Ms. Speare is a master at plot and characterization. The Bronze Bow is both exciting and inspirational. It stands on a par with The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I will continue to read this story from time to time for the rest of my life and will pass it on to my grandchildren

One of the most excellent books I have ever read!
This book is great. My class read it this year as one of our sixth grade novels. The Bronze Bow is about a boy named Dainel. Dainel's parents died when he was very young. His father was crucified, and his mother, who sat weeping at his father's crucifixtion, died a few weeks later. Daniel then had to live with his grandmother and his younger sister, Leah. Daniel leaves his home when he is thirteen years old. One day, five years later, Daniel saw two kids about his age. One of which he recognized. For moment, he was bewildered with who the boy really was until he remembered-he had gone to school with him. When Daniel goes up to Joel, he finds out the other person was his twin sister, Malthace. He asked how his grandmother and sister were doing. Joel and Malthace informed him that his grandmother and Leah were fine, and that his grandmother was sometimes seen out of the house. But Leah never came out. When Daniel goes back to the village, he remembers that Leah had been possessed by demons. They had a large variety of doctors see her, but no one could cure it. Daniel goes back to the village, and shortly after he recieved a message saying that his grandmother was dying. He went home to find his grandmother on her bed. Leah had nailed all of the doors shut and had never been out for about a week. Daniel visited his grandmother, when her last words spoken to him were, "Dainel, you came." Leah would rarely come out of her corner where she was balled up to see anything. Once Daniel and Leah's grandmother died, they moved into one of Daniels' friends houses where Daniel worked. Leah got to meet Malthace and became good friends with her. Daniel realized that whenever Leah would see Malthace, her attitude and personality would change-to be more like hers. That lasted until one very day. Daniel had gotten mad at her for being friends with a Roman, Marcus, and she became angry. Leah became very sick and close to dying.Daniel didn't know who could help her until he thought of one person-Jesus, who cured the demons from her forever. This book is extraordinary. I could read it again and again. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Classics    3. Fiction    4. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    5. Jesus Christ    6. Palestine    7. Juvenile Fiction / Religious / Christian    8. Language & Literature   

Editorial Review

Forced to leave her sunny Caribbean home for the bleak Connecticut Colony, Kit Tyler is filled with trepidation. As they sail up the river to Kit's new home, the teasing and moodiness of a young sailor named Nat doesn't help. Still, her unsinkable spirit soon bobs back up. What this spirited teenager doesn't count on, however, is how her aunt and uncle's stern Puritan community will view her. In the colonies of 1687, a girl who swims, wears silk and satin gowns, and talks back to her elders is not only headstrong, she is in grave danger of being regarded as a witch. When Kit befriends an old Quaker woman known as the Witch of Blackbird Pond, it is more than the ascetics can take: soon Kit is defending her life. Who can she count on as she confronts these angry and suspicious townspeople? Read more

Reviews (356)

A bewitching story
This is one of my favorite books. I first read this book while in middle school and have re-read it so many times that I can recite some of the passages! The story of the girl who leaves her island home and must adjust to the harsh New England environment struck a chord with me, as I was a military kid and always moving from place to place. This story is about a girl who finds herself in a new environment that goes against everything she has ever learned or experienced, and she must learn who she is in order to survive this new land. It's also a romance story, and an intriguing story that shows what can happen when people become so closed-minded about what is "right" and "proper" that they refuse to look past a person's supposed subversive actions in order to really see or understand that person.Highly recommended reading.

Good historical fiction...
I wanted to give this book 3 1/2 stars, but I don't think you can... Oh Well!!!
the witch of blackbird pond-elizabeth george spheare- by andra prior
I read the witch of blackbird pond.I didnt like or dislike this book.It had fantastic chapters an awful chapters. The most awfu scenes in this book are where everyone gets judgemental. The overall message in this book wasshard to figure out but i thought it was: never let someone judge you for who you appear to be.I would recomend this book to people who like adventurous historical fiction books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Classics    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    8. Social Issues - Friendship    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods    11. Puritans    12. Witchcraft   

Reviews (22)

An adolecent's journey
Having read in various books of the French and Indian war of Susanah Johnson's captivity and ordeal, I came across this fictionalized account set through the eyes of her sister, Miriam. Being curious, I purchased it.
A Captivating story!
This Historical Fiction Novel is great!!It helped me understand more about the time era.After the first few pages, I got really into the book.It made me feel as if I really were the main character, and going through her struggles.This book expresses the characters really well, and is fun to read!!

Timeless
I read this book first time in 1962 and have re-read it many times since.I've also given copies of it to many young girls as gifts.I love this book, the adventure, the romance and the survival of spirit.It also gave me my life long hobby of spinning and weaving which I, like Susanna, find such comfort and enjoyment in.Ms Spears other books are excellent but I believe this is the best.I just wonder why it was never turned into a movie. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. French and Indian War, 1755-1763    5. Historical - Canada - Pre-Confederation (to 1867)    6. Historical - United States - Colonial    7. History    8. Indian captivities    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Montrâeal (Quâebec)    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (2)

A great book with interesting sort of plot through it.
A boy named Matt is left alone in Maine Woods.His father has left him to go and get his new baby sister.The really cool things happen when a boy is left in the woods with Indians.Matt and an Indian meet and the bookget really good.I think that the best thing in this book is therelationship and the way it changes.They start out as true enemies, butweird events in this story make the relationship grow.The amazing part isthe reactions that Attean (the Indian) has.Also the stories he tells. This is a great book with a really great plot and very fun to read.Ireally enjoyed it.

A well written book.
This book is one of the best books I have ever read.Its got sadness,happiness,and most of all this book has a lot of adventure.Its about a 12 year old boy who has to live on his own in the wilderness ofMaine.He meets Indians and learns there way of living. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Fiction    3. Frontier and pioneer life    4. General    5. Indians of North America    6. Spanish: Grades 4-7    7. Survival   

Reviews (2)

Ella Enchanted
I really enjoyed reading Ella Enchanted. It was a very good book. It is about a royal girl named Ella, who had a problem. When she was born a fairy gave her a gift the gift of obedience. Ella hates this gift. It is always getting in her way. This would be an awsome collection
I'll start with the books I haven't read.Because I haven't read "Dear Mr. Henshaw" and "One Eyed-Cat" I had to give this collection only four stars though I'd love to give it five."Dear Mr. Henshaw" was part of my elementary school library.Everyone was demanding that I read Mr. Henshaw, but there were so many other books to read so I never got around to it.I had never heard of "One Eyed-Cat" when I was young, but from what I hear it is worth the read.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. General   

Reviews (1)

Great Book!One of My All Time Favorites!
I don't read Spanish well but I have a student who would love this book and she reads better in Spanish than English.I'm glad that they have this book available in a language she reads well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1600-1775, Colonial period    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Classics    4. Fiction    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. History    7. New England    8. Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism    9. Social life and customs    10. Spanish: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   

Subjects:  1. Children's All Ages    2. Horror & Ghost Stories   

Subjects:  1. Children    2. New England   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   

Reviews (2)

The Sign of the Beaver
The Sign of the Beaver This book had great text.
I really liked this book, but I only rate it a nine becuase it I'm not all that interested in Indians.Otherwise, the text was wonderful.It was a good book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio: Juvenile   

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. General    3. Juvenile Fiction