Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
Most American children know the story of the Pilgrims and the first  Thanksgiving, but the Native American side of the tale is far less familiar.  Joseph Bruchac, a prolific and award-winning author of Native American descent  (The First Strawberries,A Boy Called Slow)  describes life in 1620 for a man who was destined to save the Pilgrims even as  he was losing his family and tribe. Told from Squanto's point of view, this  historically accurate and detailed story brings to life one of the most  important moments in America's past. Demonstrating how much his people (the  Patuxet, the People of the Falls) value honor, Squanto befriends English  traders, even after being kidnapped and taken to Spain. After much hard work,  Squanto manages to sail back to his homeland, where, in spite of his discovery  that many of his people have died from disease brought by white people, he acts  as envoy between the English and his own people, and helps the pilgrims survive  in their new world.Throughout this moving tale, Squanto's belief that "these men can share our land  as friends" poignantly shines through. Greg Shed's gouache illustrations capture  the warmth and dignity of Squanto and his friends. Young readers will be  fascinated by this lesser-known perspective on the Thanksgiving tradition that  remains strong today. (Ages 6 to 10)--Emilie Coulter--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.