Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Sign of the Beaver. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Matt Hallowell, a twelve-year-old left alone to guard his family's cabin in the Maine wilderness in 1768, is befriended by Attean, a Penobscot boy who teaches him to survive. Attean's family moves west as settlers take their land, and Attean invites Matt to come, but Matt chooses to wait for his family, who finally arrive in winter.
Quick facts
– Book: The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
– First published: 1983
– Type: A children's historical novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Matt's father leaves him to fetch the rest of the family. A stranger steals his rifle. Matt is attacked by bees and rescued by Saknis and Attean. Saknis asks Matt to teach Attean to read in exchange for food.
What Happens at the End of The Sign of the Beaver
Over the summer, Attean, who at first scorns the white boy, teaches Matt to track animals, set snares and fish, and Matt teaches him to read from Robinson Crusoe. They become real friends, and Matt rescues Attean's dog from a trap. Autumn comes, and Matt's family does not arrive. Saknis explains that white settlers are taking the hunting grounds, so the tribe must move west. He invites Matt to come with them, and Attean, who has gone through his manhood trial, seems to want him to. Matt is tempted but chooses to wait for his family. Attean gives him his dog as a farewell gift, and Saknis gives him a snowshoe pattern. As winter deepens, Matt's family finally arrives, delayed by illness, and they are amazed by how he survived.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Attean's tribe leaves.
- Matt stays.
- The family arrives.
- The friendship changes Matt.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Matt Hallowell | Reunites with family |
| Attean | Moves west |
| Saknis | Attean's grandfather |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows friendship across cultures and the cost of colonization.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers debate how the book portrays Native Americans; some praise its respect for Attean's skills, while others criticize its outsider view. Many teachers pair it with books by Native authors.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Friendship. Matt and Attean.
Survival. Learning to survive.
Change. Native land loss.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Sign of the Beaver as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Elizabeth George Speare to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Elizabeth George Speare closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Sign of the Beaver with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about friendship, and do you agree with Elizabeth George Speare's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces friendship and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Elizabeth George Speare leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Sign of the Beaver often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Sign of the Beaver earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Sign of the Beaver on Amazon
Books to Read After The Sign of the Beaver
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Related: The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Sign of the Beaver You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Sign of the Beaver?
Matt Hallowell, a twelve-year-old left alone to guard his family's cabin in the Maine wilderness in 1768, is befriended by Attean, a Penobscot boy who teaches him to survive. Attean's family moves west as settlers take their land, and Attean invites Matt to come, but Matt chooses to wait for his family, who finally arrive in winter.
Is the ending of The Sign of the Beaver happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Sign of the Beaver mean?
The ending shows friendship across cultures and the cost of colonization.
Who wrote The Sign of the Beaver and when was it published?
The Sign of the Beaver was written by Elizabeth George Speare and first published in 1983.
Is The Sign of the Beaver worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's historical novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Elizabeth George Speare prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Sign of the Beaver before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.