Title: Historical adventure that works
Product review: A long-ago Newbery Honor book, this used-to-be boy found it enjoyable. Like so many other Newberys, the main character is a young person who finds himself alone without the support of family, in this case, with responsibilties for the newly built family home in Maine around 1770. Matt is taking care of the home he built with his father before his father left to fetch the rest of the family. The location is isolated and Matt finds himself having to fend for himself. He makes understandable, but problem-creating mistakes, and becomes involved in the life of a young Native American from the nearby tribe whose Grandfather rescued Matt from one of his mistakes (trying to get honey). As historical fiction, it stands the test of time better than Newberys that are contemporary when published, but don't read well a decade or two later. A young reader willing and able to identify with Matt's situation and adventures is going to find much pleasure here.
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