Title: Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
Author: Eric Metaxas
Illustrator: Shannon Stirnweis
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: 1999
Genre: Historical Fiction Picture Book of Native Americans
Audience: Gr. K-5

Overview: A compelling story about a 12-year-old Indian boy, Squanto, who is kidnapped from his tribe in America and taken to Spain to be sold as a slave. When he was auctioned off at a slave auction, Spanish monks bought him. The monks taught Squanto all about God and how God will protect those that need his help. When Squanto is eventually able to return to America many years later, he finds that his tribe had been wiped out by a sickness the year before. He is deeply upset by this information and feels at a complete loss because he had wanted to be reunited his family and that was not going to happen. When he finds out that a new settlement has gone up where his old tribe had been located, he is able to help those Pilgrims by showing them how to harvest food and catch fish, along with many other things. The Pilgrims finally find a way to repay Squanto and his fellow Indian friends, as well as God.

Activity: Have children think of what was brought to the first Thanksgiving and make a list of these items. Once the list is compiled, make the foods, either using construction paper or actual food, which were part of the first Thanksgiving and celebrate the help that Squanto gave to the Pilgrims.

Reviewer’s Name: Krista Jensen