Looking for the Native American perspective on the first Thanksgiving? Joseph Bruchac’s Picture Book Squanto’s Journey accomplishes this while leaving the readers remindful of giving thanks. This book is appropriate for any age child.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by Greg Shed. Squanto tells his story in first person. Born in 1590 and of the Patuxet people, Squanto is taken against his will to Spain in 1614. He returns to his homeland in 1621.
The Patuxet are the People of the Falls and when Squanto journeys home with a friend of John Smith’s in 1619, he is told that most of the Patuxet have perished in a great illness. Squanto’s entire family have died. Thousands of Pokanoket have perished also and they are still weak from the illness. They capture Squanto and he becomes involved with the Pilgrims. Massasoit, a sachem of the Potakonet, is wary of befriending the English.
Samoset, a sachem of the Pemaquid people, walks into Plymouth on 16 MAR 1621 and returns on 22 March with someone who can speak English — Squanto. Plymouth was once Patuxet, Squanto’s village.
Squanto is freed by the Pokanoket and he begins teaching the Pilgrims how to survive in America. “Together we might make our home on this land given to us by the Creator of All Things.”
A good harvest comes in in the Fall and Squanto gives thanks and hopes for many more days to give thanks for. He gives thanks for the people.
In Bruchac’s author’s note, he explains how carefully he researches and learns the stories of the Native Americans he tells. Squanto’s Journey was published in 2000 by Harcourt Books.
