Squanto and the First Thanksgiving, 2nd Edition

On My Own ~ Holidays

by Joyce K. Kessel, Lisa Donze (Illustrator)

When the Pilgrims landed near Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 they were unprepared for the challenges they would face. Many Pilgrims died until Squanto, a Patuxet Indian, taught them how to survive. To give thanks for a good year, the Pilgrims threw a huge feast, later called Thanksgiving. Encourage understanding of diverse cultures. Featuring full-page illustrations, these beautiful editions look at the history and customs associated with various holidays and present early readers with high-interest offerings.

Genres: Thanksgiving, History, Picture Books, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1983

Reviews

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is anotherbook that attempts to take a brutally honest look at history for the curious young reader who is between 2nd and 5th grade and is old enough to know more about what REALLY happened, though that knowledge may be sometimes unpleasant. So many children's book paint such a rosy picture that it's no wonder today's kids can have such unrealistic dreamy attitudes. I was a grown woman before I knew anything more about Thanksgiving than what I learned in elementary school: Some nice but picked on Pilgrims (who were perfect in every way) met with some ignorant but friendly Indians who saved all their lives one winter but sharing their food and some gardening tips. This book tells of the life of Squanto and how it began beautifully, became unbearable in the middle (enter the mostly nasty, cruel,selfish English) and then ended up sort of okay at the Thanksgiving dinner we still celebrate today. It even has an epilogue that bursts that bubble of an idea that some of us had that things were rosy ever after. It's not completely depressing, but not to be just handed over to our kids without some discussion, before or after. I did kinda have an impression that the writer felt like the indians were PURE but the English were mostly BAD. That whole noble savage idea of the American indians of the time. That's why I advise some discussion, because everyone knows that they weren't always angels either.

[Sage · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the afterward. It is inaccurate. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. We celebrate it on the fourth Thursday of November. Authors should be careful to be accurate, especially when you make note of the fact you want them to know.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Trying to rethink how we teach the Thanksgiving story to our elementary students required reviewing our collection and this did not make the cut.

[Maren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned lots of new things about Squanto in this book. He was sold into slavery twice and taken to Europe. His tribe was wiped out by smallpox the second time he was kidnapped and he came home to nothing. Man, he had some challenges!

[Taren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice quick read that gave us a fuller picture of Squanto's journey

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found in L4L Thanksgiving List 2024

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is very blunt but perhaps that’s because it’s more of an easy reader? It still had a lot of information regarding Squanto.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative book about the life of Squanto and how the help he gave to the Pilgrims helped them to survive their first years in Massachusetts. Without his assistance, the first Thanksgiving might never have occurred.

I wasn't sure how engaging this book would be; it was first published thirty years ago and lacks the glossy spreads and factoid-filled narratives that are so popular today. But I was actually impressed witht the author's ability to tell Squanto's story without being overly detailed, boring, or didactic.

It was a fairly quick read and we all learned something new about Squanto's life. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is Squanto not the patron saint of America? He had a forgiveness and kindness within his heart that you do not often read about in history. The white settlers gave him many reasons to hate them and each time his kindness won him favor. But, his compassion, generosity and willingness to teach changed the course of American history - and sadly not in the favor of the American Indian tribes.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book alot becuase you can see and learn how did Native of Americans got alone with White people and how Native of Americans teached alot of things to the White people.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It made me want to cook.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this one to a class of third graders today in preparation of the holiday next week.

[Cris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Badly researched. And making gueses in the book? They might have had popcorn or maybe they had soda with their turkey......

[Lisa Driskill · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok but not great. I did not actually read it to my students.

[Michael Odiambo]

it is so nice