About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a significant increase in responsibility or is beginning to navigate the complexities of cross-cultural friendships. It is an ideal choice for a child who feels isolated or is struggling to find their footing in a new environment, as it models the courage required to admit what one does not know. The story follows thirteen-year-old Matt, left alone to guard his family's new homestead in the 18th-century Maine wilderness. When he finds himself ill-equipped for the harsh reality of survival, he forms an unlikely and initially tense bond with Attean, a boy from the Beaver tribe. Through their relationship, Matt learns that competence is born of humility and that friendship often requires unlearning deep-seated prejudices. This is a classic of historical fiction that balances high-stakes adventure with a quiet, profound exploration of mutual respect and the transition from childhood to manhood.
