Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving: A Harvest Story from Colonial America of How One Native American's Friendship Saved the Pilgrims

by Eric Metaxas

Discover the amazing true story of how one Native American's suffering, generosity, and friendship led to the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, by New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas.

In 1608, traders came to Massachusetts, captured a Patuxet boy named Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was later cared for by Christians, taught faith in God, and learned to speak English. Ten years after his capture, he returned to America and learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. Yet God had plans for Squanto.
When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, Squanto had the ability to communicate with the new settlers. Imagine their surprise to find an indigenous man who spoke the same language as they did living in the exact place where they landed in a strange new world. Because of Squanto's help translating, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans lived together in friendship and celebrated the first Thanksgiving.

This beautifully illustrated picture book for children 6 to 10

• tells the biography of Squanto, his journey to Europe and back, and his life-saving friendship to the new settlers at Plymouth;
• shows that God can bring good things out of bad circumstances;
• is the perfect blend of information and adventure; and
• is a great addition to a Thanksgiving celebration, Sunday School class, family story time, homeschool unit, or fall bedtime routine.

Learn about the people at the first Thanksgiving and how God can work miracles around the world.

• ISBN10: 1400320399
• ISBN13: 9781400320394
• Publish Date: 27 August 2012 (first published 24 August 1999)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tommy Nelson
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 40
• Language: English

Reviews

[cherryblossommj]

This appears to be a book originally published in 1999 with a new special softcover paperback for the 2012 season. In reading this through a loaned eGalley through NetGalley and ADE it is a bit difficult to read as the "page intentionally left blank" is missing and thus the obviously matched photos giving one of the best parts of picture book stories do no meet up. But from I do see, I enjoy the illustrations and the imagery.

Having a biographical story come from the perspective of a young Wampanoag Indian going from normal expectations of these strange Europeans from their ships to a terrifying condition of kidnapping, and then being sold into slavery is an interesting telling I would not have put with what I know of Thanksgiving. But this picture book is full of valuable historical detail and blessings of being bought by the monks and imagine, a Native American Indian boy traveling to London. With hope of returning home.

This book is so much more than I would have expected. There are so many elements from emotions, to historical detail that these pages are filled with possible learning experiences, both historically, literature-worthy and even sociological.

From the shores of America, to Spain, to London and America again, this is quite an adventure full of lessons to think about and learn from. Squanto proves to be a great biographical hero. I would be delighted to have a real copy of this after reading it electronically. I'm sure it would go over very well for the season with my preschooler and early learners.

*Thanks to Thomas Nelson for loaning an eGalley through NetGalley.*

Link planned: http://wp.me/pYHD5-4cW