Thunder from the Clear Sky

by Marcia Sewall

A Wampanoag warrior and a Pilgrim settler retell what led to King Philip's War

Genres: Childrens, American History, History, Native American, Picture Books

Hardcover

First published October 30, 1995

Reviews

[Kaila Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I REALLY wanted to like this book. I liked the idea of learning about this topic from both perspectives, but it was so hard to follow along with the story. I tried reading it to my kids but had to stop halfway through because it was just not holding our attention at all.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sewall explores the deteriorating relations between the English settlers in Plymouth and the native peoples that culminated in King Philip's War and the virtual destruction of the Wampanoags and their allies. The story is told in the alternating voices of a Wampanoag and a pilgrim. This gives youngsters some insight into the misunderstandings that exacerbated the existing differences.

Age/Grade: 7+

Instructional Ideas:
Use in a unit on Colonial America to explore and discuss conflict resolution.

[Robert W.]

This picture book provides information from when Europeans first arrived in America and their initial reactions to each other. It then begins to tell about events from two perspectives, the pilgrims and wampanoags.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of this more than the execution.