Mysterious / Unnerving / Dark / Suspenseful

Weasel by Cynthia DeFelice captivates with its suspenseful plot and vivid historical setting. Readers appreciate its engaging storytelling and the strong moral lessons it imparts. However, some find the character development lacking depth. Overall, it is a compelling read for young audiences interested in historical fiction.

Readers who enjoy Weasel by Cynthia DeFelice are typically fans of historical adventure with themes of survival and courage. Similar to readers of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, they appreciate wilderness settings and young protagonists overcoming challenges.

Weasel by Cynthia DeFelice is a historical fiction novel set in Ohio during the early 1800s. It follows a young boy, Nathan, whose father is missing. Nathan encounters a mysterious figure known as Weasel, leading him on an adventure that explores themes of courage, justice, and the impact of past actions.

- Weasel was first published in 1990 and has become a staple for many middle school reading lists, noted for its blend of historical elements and suspense.
- The book is set in the 1830s in Ohio, a period reflecting both the wild frontier's untamed beauty and the challenges of early American settler life.
- Cynthia DeFelice, the author, often draws from historical settings in the United States to create realistic backgrounds for her narratives, aiming to engage young readers with both history and mystery.

**Nathan Fowler**  
An 11-year-old boy who is the protagonist and narrator, responsible for maintaining the farm with his sister Molly after their father goes missing. He struggles with the traits of manliness assigned to him in their father's absence.

**Molly Fowler**  
Nathan's 9-year-old sister, who is expressive and emotional, providing support and companionship to Nathan as they navigate their father's absence and other challenges.

**Ezra Ketcham**  
A white man formerly involved in the removal of the Shawnees who undergoes a transformation, living alone in a wigwam and helping the Fowler family when needed. He serves as a protective figure.

**Weasel**  
A former soldier who participated in the removal of the Shawnees and continues to engage in violent acts, creating conflict and suffering for both Indigenous people and settlers. He is depicted as lacking humanity and is central to the plot's tension.

**Pa**  
Nathan and Molly's father, whose disappearance sets off the events of the story. He provides wisdom and guidance, challenging traditional notions of masculinity and showing a more humanized view of the Shawnees.

**Mama**  
Deceased before the story starts, her beliefs and actions reflect compassion toward the Shawnees and challenge gender norms, influencing Nathan and Molly even after her death.

**Gives-light-as-she-walks**  
The only named Indigenous character in the story, she is Ezra's pregnant Shawnee wife and symbolizes acceptance and alliance, although her fate is tragic.

Cynthia DeFelice

Middle grade

Novel

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Weasel

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