Squanto’s Journey The Story of the First Thanksgiving

Squanto’s Journey

The Story of the First Thanksgiving

By Joseph Bruchac

Illustrated by Greg Shed

cover image retrieved October 30, 2012 from

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/squantos-journey-joseph-bruchac/1102941689?ean=9780152060442

Bibliography:

Bruchac, Joseph, and Greg Shed. Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving. San Diego: Silver Whistle, 2000. ISBN-13: 9780152060442

Summary:

Told in first person, Squanto’s Journey relates the story of the First Thanksgiving from the Native American point of view. Squanto explains how he came to speak and understand English, and his hope that the English settlers and Natives could live peacefully together. A respecter of the land and all that is in it, Squanto gently shares his hope that, just as the “three sisters” beans, squash, and corn, live intertwined together, so will the people now inhabiting the land of his people.

Analytical Review:

Joseph Bruchac makes a great effort to be culturally authentic in his retelling of the story of the First Thanksgiving, this time from the point of view of the Native Americans. Bruchac states in the Author’s Note at the end of the book, “…being Indian does not mean that you automatically know about all things Native American. Whenever I tell a story that comes from another Native nation, it is my responsibility to hear the living voices of those Native people.” Bruchac seems to have done his homework, since this picture book overflows with cultural authenticity.

Patuxet language is sprinkled throughout the pages. Terms are well defined through context clues as they are used, but a glossary is also included, if needed by the reader.  The importance of understanding the language of a different people group is evident in the conversations between the Natives and the English settlers. The Natives understood that language is a natural link to a people group. They used Samoset, Squanto, and other Natives who spoke English to communicate with the English and build a relationship with them. Bruchac nicely draws that connection without being obvious or preachy.

The gorgeous watercolors by George Shed add depth and richness to this tale. Authentic clothing and habitation scenes transport the reader to the reality of this time period. In the author’s note Mr. Bruchac explains that he researched these aspects closely, to write about them accurately. The clothing details of the Pilgrims, in particular, had to be adjusted from the way they are traditionally, but inaccurately depicted.

Readers seeking a more legitimate version of the story of the First Thanksgiving will find what they are looking for here. Written for upper elementary, this book is appropriate there, or at any level where authenticity matters.

Reviews:

School Library Journal    Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NY

A picture book that focuses on the young Indian who helped the Pilgrims survive the brutality of the New England winter. Many authors have given the Native American credit for his role in the survival of the colony. What distinguishes this first-person account is the authenticity of detail. In his author's note, Bruchac describes the research that he used to flesh out the story with dates and names. There is a richness of detail in the pictures that echoes the passion for historical accuracy in costume and interior-and-exterior dwellings.

The Horn Book

Told with respect and dignity.      

Booklist

History from the Native American viewpoint.     

Awards/Best Books Lists:

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2001 ; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States

Connections:

Reading/Writing:

·      Students will select one of the beautiful watercolor illustrations in the book. Students will compose a haiku inspired by this illustration.

·      Students will examine the glossary at the end of the book. Students will find three other terms in the book that are not defined in the glossary, and create a glossary entry for those terms.

·      Students will pair this picture book with the novel      which also tells the story of the first Thanksgiving. Students will create a double bubble graphic organizer showing similarities and differences between these accounts of the first Thanksgiving.

·      After learning more about the first Thanksgiving from this picture book and other sources, students will create a graphic story telling the events through comic book-style illustrations and conversation bubbles.

·      Young students will love the beautiful watercolor paintings in this picture book. Encourage readers of all ages to “read” the story through the pictures only the first time through the book. Then go back and compare the written story to the one students came up with when viewing the pictures. Discuss:  What picture clues lead you to the story you told? How are picture clues similar to context clues?

Social Studies:

·      Students will created a KWL chart about the Pilgrim’s first colony at Plymouth and the Native American tribes that lived in that region. After completing the chart, students will learn more about life in New England at the time of the early colonization by Europeans by viewing History Channel video clips “Wampanoag Living Recreated” at http://www.history.com/videos/wampanoag-living-recreated#wampanoag-living-recreated ; and “Plimouth Plantation’s Authenticity Examined” at http://www.history.com/videos/wampanoag-living-recreated#plimouth-plantations-authenticity-examined  Students will discuss what they learned, and fill in their KWL charts with information learned.

Science:

·      Students will research the concept of using dead fish to fertilize crops. Use information from sites such as  http://www.gardenguides.com/108741-fertilize-sweet-corn-fish.html and Florida Ag in the Classroom at http://www.flagintheclassroom.com/uploads/keepingfloridagreen_2_3003173963.pdf   Students will create a diagram, labeled to explain the process. Students will complete the wrap up activity on the Florida Ag in the Classroom site.

Art:

·      Students will create their own watercolor illustration of one aspect of Squanto’s life. Students will write a caption for their illustration. Original creations will be displayed around in the classroom, in chronological order, to retell Squanto’s story.

Other books by Joseph Bruchac:

Picture Books

A Boy Called Slow

Between Earth and Sky

Buffalo Song

Crazy Horse's Vision

The Earth Under Sky Bear’s Feet

The First Strawberries

The Great Ball Game

How Chipmunk Got His Stripes,(with Jim Bruchac)

Jim Thorpe's Bright Path

Makiawisug: Gift of the Little People (with M.Fawcett)

Many Nations

The Maple Thanksgiving

Navajo Long Walk

Raccoon's Last Race(with Jim Bruchac)

Squanto's Journey

13 Moons on Turtle’s Back (with J. London)

Turtle's Race with Beaver (with Jim Bruchac)

Fiction & Non-Fiction

Arrow Over the Door

At the End of Ridge Road

Bearwalker

Bowman’s Store

Children of the Longhouse

Codetalker

The Dark Pond

Dawn Land

Dog People, Native Dog Stories

Foot of the Mountain

Eagle Song

Geronimo

The Heart of a Chief

Hidden Roots

Jim Thorpe, Original All American

The Journal of Jesse Smoke

Long River

Keepers of the Earth, (with M. Caduto)

Keepers of the Animals, (with M. Caduto)

Keepers of the Night,(with M. Caduto)

Keepers of Life, (with M. Caduto)

March Toward The Thunder

Native American Games & Stories (with Jim Bruchac)

Native American Gardening (with M. Caduto)

Native Wisdom

Our Stories Remember

Pocahontas

The Return of Skeleton Man

Sacajawea, a novel

Seeing the Circle

Skeleton Man

The Trail of Tears

Wabi, A Hero's Tale

The Warriors

The Waters Between

The Way

Whisper in the Dark

The Winter People

Collections of Traditional Stories

The Faithful Hunter

The Girl Who Married the Moon

The Girl Who Helped Thunder

Native American Stories

Heroes and Heroines, Monsters and Magic

Native American Stories

Native American Animal Stories

Native Plant Stories

The Native American Sweat Lodge

Pushing Up the Sky: Seven Plays for Children

Return of the Sun

The Wind Eagle

When the Chenoo Howls (with Jim Bruchac)

Poetry

Above the Line

Ndakinna

No Borders

Translator's Son