Sign of the Beaver by Carolyn Speare is a Newberry Award Winner.

Matt and his father had set out for Maine as soon as the ice melted in the Spring. They cleared the land on the property his father had bought, built a home and planted some corn. Now it was time for Matt's father to return to Massachusetts and bring back his mother, his sister and the new baby which would have been born by now. Matt was lonely and felt a silence he had never before known. He would mark the six week until his family's return by notcing a stick. Matt had lots to do with his father gone. He had to watch the corn, finish putting clay between the logs of the house to keep out the cold winter air, and hunt for his food.

His first visitor, Ben, caused Matt concern. He was friendly enough, but there was that story about being run out of town. Matt then discovers his rifle is missing. Soon another visitor arrives and takes even more from Matt. His next visitor is Attean from the Family of the Beaver tribe. Attean and Matt don't start off trusting each other, but through shared problems, they finally became friends.

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I first read this book at the end of second grade and decided to read it again during the summer before fourth grade. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. The story is filled with a lot of excitement as you learn about how people lived during the time our nation was being settled. You can purchase Sign of the Beaver through Amazon.