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1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving
Countering the prevailing, traditional story of the first Thanksgiving, with its black-hatted, silver-buckled Pilgrims; blanket-clad, be-feathered Indians; cranberry sauce; pumpkin pie; and turkey, this lushly illustrated photo-essay presents a more measured, balanced, and historically accurate version of the three-day harvest celebration in 1621.
48 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
About the author
Catherine O'Neill Grace
35 books2 followersCatherine O'Neill Grace is an editor, writer, and editorial consultant based in the Boston area. A full-time editor and writer for Wellesley magazine at Wellesley College, she also freelances regularly for MIT, the American Montessori Society, and the Commonwealth School in Boston, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
July 7, 2026
1621: A NEW LOOK AT THANKSGIVING is a childrens' book that tells about the first Thanksgiving. It wasn't quite like what we may have been taught in school years ago. According to the authors, they didn't even call it Thanksgiving then, even though no doubt prayers were probably said in thanks. And it wasn't even just one meal but rather a three day event that was shared with the Indians. The adults ate and the children played. The Indians even built some shelters for themselves for the event. It seems that it was only natural to give thanks to one's gods for a bountiful harvest. How else would one survive the winter?
It seems that some of the foods we now enjoy as part of the feast were not present then: no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce. Wild turkey was probably there, but one had to be careful about chewing on buckshot. Anyone eating wild game will know what I mean. They most likely had fish as well.
Two recipes were added, one of hominy and the other of pumpkin.
One fact mentioned was that plagues killed most of this tribe before the arrival of the Pilgrims. A map shows the original Wampanoag Indian lands. I say we at least give them back Martha's Vineyard.
The early days of thanksgiving were also celebrated for military victories over the Indians. The first national Thanksgiving was celebrated for the victory over the British following the Battle of Saratoga. In 1863 President Lincoln declared two holidays. One, in August, to commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg and the second in November to give thanks for 'general blessings.'
Illustrations are included along with photos of a reenactment of the 1621 harvest with staff and Wampanoag Indians in costume in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
It seems that some of the foods we now enjoy as part of the feast were not present then: no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce. Wild turkey was probably there, but one had to be careful about chewing on buckshot. Anyone eating wild game will know what I mean. They most likely had fish as well.
Two recipes were added, one of hominy and the other of pumpkin.
One fact mentioned was that plagues killed most of this tribe before the arrival of the Pilgrims. A map shows the original Wampanoag Indian lands. I say we at least give them back Martha's Vineyard.
The early days of thanksgiving were also celebrated for military victories over the Indians. The first national Thanksgiving was celebrated for the victory over the British following the Battle of Saratoga. In 1863 President Lincoln declared two holidays. One, in August, to commemorate the Battle of Gettysburg and the second in November to give thanks for 'general blessings.'
Illustrations are included along with photos of a reenactment of the 1621 harvest with staff and Wampanoag Indians in costume in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
February 7, 2009
Summary: This book is a combination of photographs and text that reexamine the common understanding of "the first Thanksgiving" an try to tell a more accurate version of the 1621 harvest feast.
Response: From the very title, this book represents not just a correction of the details but rather a global shift in perspective. To call the book 1621 is to focus on what happened then; to call it "the first Thanksgiving" is to discuss this event from the perspective of a later retelling. In the Foreword and introduction, the authors explain that their goal is to tell the story of that feast more accurately and to represent the perspective of the Wampanoag people who were living here when the English arrived. The author's style, of telling sentence by sentence what this event looked like to both the English and the Wampanoag represents an approach to writing about history that is different from the usual portrayal. I think it is not only an excellent way to "reteach" the history of this event to all children, but it is also an excellent way to introduce older children to the concept of "doing" history in the first place; to teach them that history is always about facts, research, and perspective and not just "what happened." I learned this in college, and I was surprised to learn that my high school textbook wasn't just "true." I think this is a really interesting thing for kids to discover, that writing history involves making choices and expressing perspectives, and this book seems like a very good way to start that discussion. Since it is about a topic that kids will find familiar (Thanksgiving) it will be a perfect place for them to experience the ground shift of questioning something you think you know about.
Response: From the very title, this book represents not just a correction of the details but rather a global shift in perspective. To call the book 1621 is to focus on what happened then; to call it "the first Thanksgiving" is to discuss this event from the perspective of a later retelling. In the Foreword and introduction, the authors explain that their goal is to tell the story of that feast more accurately and to represent the perspective of the Wampanoag people who were living here when the English arrived. The author's style, of telling sentence by sentence what this event looked like to both the English and the Wampanoag represents an approach to writing about history that is different from the usual portrayal. I think it is not only an excellent way to "reteach" the history of this event to all children, but it is also an excellent way to introduce older children to the concept of "doing" history in the first place; to teach them that history is always about facts, research, and perspective and not just "what happened." I learned this in college, and I was surprised to learn that my high school textbook wasn't just "true." I think this is a really interesting thing for kids to discover, that writing history involves making choices and expressing perspectives, and this book seems like a very good way to start that discussion. Since it is about a topic that kids will find familiar (Thanksgiving) it will be a perfect place for them to experience the ground shift of questioning something you think you know about.
November 13, 2011
This book focuses on the Wampanoag people, the Indians who lived in the Plimoth area when the 1620 Pilgims arrived. This book gives nice insight on how the first Thanksgiving in 1621 really "went down". This book is found in the Juvenile section of the library and it targeted to probably a 5th grader?? Quick (15 min.) and insightful read. Really enjoyed it!!
September 14, 2011
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving, published in 2001, presents Thanksgiving from a non-traditional (from a U.S. viewpoint) perspective. When I was growing up I don’t believe I gave a thought to whether Native Americans lived on the land that was claimed by the “Pilgrims”. And while I do have a sentimental yearning for the concept of different peoples joining together for a harvest feast, the fact that Massasoit suspected impending military action does seem like a more rational explanation for the presence of the Wampanoags. As for the feast taking place over 3 days, that is very similar to how the Thanksgiving weekend has evolved. And there are even some families who would say that their Thanksgivings resemble the coming together of different peoples with different traditons!
All kidding aside, 1621 provides a thoughtful examination of life for the new colonists and of their impact on the Wampanoag tribe. It goes far beyond Thanksgiving. The fact that the Wampanoags had lived on the Plymouth land for more than 12.000 years by the time these English colonists arrived verges on incomprehensible. I also was under the impression that the Mayflower was, at the very least, among the first of the British ships to arrive to colonize the New World. I did not know that English traders had kidnapped members of the Wampanoag tribe, nor that these pre-Mayflower expeditions were responsible for the plague that killed so many the villlage of Patuxet was abandoned. While we have all heard the tale of Squanto, and how he showed the colonists how to use fish to fertilize their corn, I did not know that he knew English, nor that the reason he knew it was because he had been kidnapped by previous English explorers. I did not know that the original destination of the Mayflower was the mouth of the Hudson River, nor that these colonists stole the stores of Wampanoag food (presumably having been stored for the winter).
While I appreciate all of this information, this book seems geared more to adults than to children. The level of language and complexity of structure leads me to this conclusion, In which case I must take issue with the discussion of the use of the word Thanksgiving to describe the holiday. While the comparison of the religious celebrations which constituted a Thanksgiving to those of a harvest feast are interesting, I don’t believe this an appropriate criticism of the evolution of the holiday. Certainly, by the time President Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving, the religious tones of Thanksgiving had lessened. Also, Veteran’s Day was not originally called Veteran’s Day. And Memorial Day was to remember those who had died, on both sides, of the Civil War. My point is that many of our national holidays have evolved.
All kidding aside, 1621 provides a thoughtful examination of life for the new colonists and of their impact on the Wampanoag tribe. It goes far beyond Thanksgiving. The fact that the Wampanoags had lived on the Plymouth land for more than 12.000 years by the time these English colonists arrived verges on incomprehensible. I also was under the impression that the Mayflower was, at the very least, among the first of the British ships to arrive to colonize the New World. I did not know that English traders had kidnapped members of the Wampanoag tribe, nor that these pre-Mayflower expeditions were responsible for the plague that killed so many the villlage of Patuxet was abandoned. While we have all heard the tale of Squanto, and how he showed the colonists how to use fish to fertilize their corn, I did not know that he knew English, nor that the reason he knew it was because he had been kidnapped by previous English explorers. I did not know that the original destination of the Mayflower was the mouth of the Hudson River, nor that these colonists stole the stores of Wampanoag food (presumably having been stored for the winter).
While I appreciate all of this information, this book seems geared more to adults than to children. The level of language and complexity of structure leads me to this conclusion, In which case I must take issue with the discussion of the use of the word Thanksgiving to describe the holiday. While the comparison of the religious celebrations which constituted a Thanksgiving to those of a harvest feast are interesting, I don’t believe this an appropriate criticism of the evolution of the holiday. Certainly, by the time President Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving, the religious tones of Thanksgiving had lessened. Also, Veteran’s Day was not originally called Veteran’s Day. And Memorial Day was to remember those who had died, on both sides, of the Civil War. My point is that many of our national holidays have evolved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2016
I liked the photography a lot, instead of the regular oil painting illustrations found in most Thanksgiving books. It made seem all the more real and engaging to see real people in a replica village. It gave such a clear idea what the places and people could have looked like. It made me want to go and see the Pilmoth Plantation and the living history museum. It’s such an honorable endeavor that they want to correct the misconception and lies about Thanksgiving and share the truth, from different perspectives than just the English. They valued the Wampanoag descendants and wanted their story known. I liked that they wanted their voices heard, wanted it known that the Pilgrims didn’t just sail over and occupy land empty for the taking, but that the Native Americans were living there and got their land stolen.
I liked learning the Wampanoag word for harvest, Keepunumuk. Their name for that area was Patuxet. Wampanoag means “People of the Light.” The Wampanoags today call themselves the People, meaning they are the original people of this land.
They make wampum beads out of quahaug shells.
I liked the map showing the area as it was then, with the names of the Native American towns and the areas the Wampanoags lived in.
The pictures of the Wampanoags in their homes at the fire was really cool. Their language is called Wopanaak, and comes from the original language that was spoken by everyone in the eastern part of the country thousands of years ago. Since the language combines sounds with relationships, one word is usually a whole sentence in English. The colonists thought the many syllables sounded like a bubbling brook. Succotash came from the Wampanoag word sukahtash. It was interesting that it shows their idea that everyone in the Nation is connected,, so when they talk about relatives each term uses syllables that show the relationship of the person to the speaker and listener. The first written form of Wopanaak was created in the 17th century. It was cool that the first bible made in the New World was in Wopanaak.
They had mats made of woven bulrush, that held the heat of the fire. They lived in homes called wetus.
There were many springs in Plymouth, and they carried water through town with a yoke and buckets.
They really laid it out there that the English found Wampanoag supplies and stole them. It’s funny, one book said they found supplies like they just dropped from Heaven or something. At least in here the authors made it clear where the items came from, that they belonged to someone and the Pilgrims weren’t resourceful, but actually stole them. Corn that were stored in pits, beads and ornaments from graves, and baskets and pots from the wetus. I couldn’t believe there was writing directly from a colonist about them finding the stuff. It lets us know their way of thinking. Funny how they spun it that it was a gift from God that they found everything, because they didn’t know how to find Indians unless the Indians wanted to do them harm. The Wampanoag thought they were disrespectful thieves. This is certainly the tale you never hear, which makes it even more important this book exists to set the story straight. God didn’t put that there for them; it was someone else’s.
I liked that they made it clear New Plymouth wasn’t empty wilderness like we’ve been led to believe. It was the village of Patuxet which had homes, graves, food stores, tilled fields and trails. It really had an impact when they said that the English thought any wild or what they thought “unimproved” land was up for grabs and the property of Christian Europeans. Definitely shows another side to the story, that they’re not innocent voyagers looking for a better life and doing God’s work. They actively thought they were better than the Native Americans, and that’s something kids should know, because Pilgrims need to be seen in a different light.
“Their land is spacious and void, and there are few . . . They are not industrious, neither have art, science, skill or faculty to use either the land or the commodities of it, but all spoils, rots, and is marred for want of manuring, gathering, ordering, etc. . . so is it lawful now to take a land which none useth, and make use of it.”
If that doesn’t tell you how the Pilgrims really were, I don’t know what could. Just because someone did something differently doesn’t mean it’s not as good or that you should bowl them over and do it your way. They thought they were superior in every way.
Pniese are warrior-councilors. It’s sad that the Wampanoag needed the alliance with the Pilgrims as much as they did, because they had lost so many to the plague. They probably thought that if they joined the Pilgrims they could resist more powerful tribes like the Narragansett.
They wore clothing made from deerskin, elk hide, moose hide and fur.
It was so important that they said 19th century painters misrepresented the First Thanksgiving and gave people the wrong idea. They still continue to do so because the paintings were reproduced for schools and everything else, which make the Pilgrims look like devoted worshippers and the Native Americans like savages on the outskirts of civilization.
When they visited Massasoit they brought gifts and honored him by firing their muskets in a salute. One such gift was a copper chain. He was told that any Native who came to Plymouth with the chain would be welcome.
It was neat to learn that the day William Bradford sent four men to go fowl hunting, Massasoit probably heard it and that’s why out of the 90 people he brought with him they were all men and not a single woman. That shows he was being cautious in case the Pilgrims were preparing for war. When he got there and saw they were celebrating, he then sent some of his men out to hunt for deer. Women might have joined the feast once it became clear it was safe. Massasoit and his advisors most likely ate at the “high table” that had the best food. There were probably tables inside and outside for everyone else to sit at. Everyone helped with the food, skinning the deer, grinding corn, plucking birds, getting shellfish, cooking the meat, and preparing everything. The entertainment was likely ball, sports, singing, music and dancing. The Wampanoag liked games of chance. The children probably played blind man’s bluff, where a blindfolded “hunter” tried to watch another person. There was also the ring-and-pin game, where the player tries to loop a ring over a pin.
I liked the inclusion of recipes to the things they ate back then and how to cook them now. Nasaump was a Wampanoag dish of dried corn that was pounded inside a mortar and then boiled in water until it formed a thick porridge. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries were added. It could also be made as a clam broth with herbs like green onions and wild garlic. Stewed pompion was an English dish. Women made big kettles of stewed pumpkin to feed their families in the fall and winter. It could have been eaten every day or every meal.
It was such an eye-opener for me to learn that Native Americans don’t participate in Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag see it as a reminder of the horrible treatment of their ancestors. Since 1970 many have gone to the statue of Massasoit in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving as a vigil of the hardships their ancestors faced and honor the perseverance of their people. I never even thought of how Native Americans viewed the holiday, and it’s so sad that it means something completely different from what we see it as, that it’s actually something bad and painful for them. I can definitely understand why they wouldn’t want to recognize a holiday made by people who are responsible for why their people are in the situation they’re in now. I’m glad this book highlighted the fact that the Pilgrims celebrated beating the Native Americans and winning in battles, particularly the Pequot fort victory in which the Pilgrims killed 700 men, women and children and sold the survivors into slavery, and then had a day of thanksgiving for it, “to God for subduing the Pequots.” That really puts into perspective how religious they weren’t, because anyone doing God’s work would have never done that. It’s a lesson that religion can be twisted and just because people claim to do things in God’s name doesn’t mean what they’re doing is right.
What an eye-opener this whole book was. Everyone should read this at some point in their lives, sooner rather than later. At 23 it’s definitely late to be seeing such an important historical event in a true light, after being fed lies in school and even more in so many kids books with are gross misrepresentations to the point that they’re just insults. This book needed to be written and I’m glad the truth has gotten out. Now if schoolbooks would get on board, that would really be something.
I was surprised this was a children’s book, because the writing was so advanced and so long. It was like a school book for middle schoolers, not a younger elementary school audience as a picture book mostly suggests. The words used were meant for much older young adults, such as diplomacy, litany and so many others. The last part of the book was definitely not kid-friendly as from pg. 39-46 the writing is really small and there are so many words and deep issues that kids wouldn’t be able to keep up.
I’m glad I read this and I would read it again. I wish I owned this instead of temporarily as a library book, because it would be a good book to have in my collection.
I liked learning the Wampanoag word for harvest, Keepunumuk. Their name for that area was Patuxet. Wampanoag means “People of the Light.” The Wampanoags today call themselves the People, meaning they are the original people of this land.
They make wampum beads out of quahaug shells.
I liked the map showing the area as it was then, with the names of the Native American towns and the areas the Wampanoags lived in.
The pictures of the Wampanoags in their homes at the fire was really cool. Their language is called Wopanaak, and comes from the original language that was spoken by everyone in the eastern part of the country thousands of years ago. Since the language combines sounds with relationships, one word is usually a whole sentence in English. The colonists thought the many syllables sounded like a bubbling brook. Succotash came from the Wampanoag word sukahtash. It was interesting that it shows their idea that everyone in the Nation is connected,, so when they talk about relatives each term uses syllables that show the relationship of the person to the speaker and listener. The first written form of Wopanaak was created in the 17th century. It was cool that the first bible made in the New World was in Wopanaak.
They had mats made of woven bulrush, that held the heat of the fire. They lived in homes called wetus.
There were many springs in Plymouth, and they carried water through town with a yoke and buckets.
They really laid it out there that the English found Wampanoag supplies and stole them. It’s funny, one book said they found supplies like they just dropped from Heaven or something. At least in here the authors made it clear where the items came from, that they belonged to someone and the Pilgrims weren’t resourceful, but actually stole them. Corn that were stored in pits, beads and ornaments from graves, and baskets and pots from the wetus. I couldn’t believe there was writing directly from a colonist about them finding the stuff. It lets us know their way of thinking. Funny how they spun it that it was a gift from God that they found everything, because they didn’t know how to find Indians unless the Indians wanted to do them harm. The Wampanoag thought they were disrespectful thieves. This is certainly the tale you never hear, which makes it even more important this book exists to set the story straight. God didn’t put that there for them; it was someone else’s.
I liked that they made it clear New Plymouth wasn’t empty wilderness like we’ve been led to believe. It was the village of Patuxet which had homes, graves, food stores, tilled fields and trails. It really had an impact when they said that the English thought any wild or what they thought “unimproved” land was up for grabs and the property of Christian Europeans. Definitely shows another side to the story, that they’re not innocent voyagers looking for a better life and doing God’s work. They actively thought they were better than the Native Americans, and that’s something kids should know, because Pilgrims need to be seen in a different light.
“Their land is spacious and void, and there are few . . . They are not industrious, neither have art, science, skill or faculty to use either the land or the commodities of it, but all spoils, rots, and is marred for want of manuring, gathering, ordering, etc. . . so is it lawful now to take a land which none useth, and make use of it.”
If that doesn’t tell you how the Pilgrims really were, I don’t know what could. Just because someone did something differently doesn’t mean it’s not as good or that you should bowl them over and do it your way. They thought they were superior in every way.
Pniese are warrior-councilors. It’s sad that the Wampanoag needed the alliance with the Pilgrims as much as they did, because they had lost so many to the plague. They probably thought that if they joined the Pilgrims they could resist more powerful tribes like the Narragansett.
They wore clothing made from deerskin, elk hide, moose hide and fur.
It was so important that they said 19th century painters misrepresented the First Thanksgiving and gave people the wrong idea. They still continue to do so because the paintings were reproduced for schools and everything else, which make the Pilgrims look like devoted worshippers and the Native Americans like savages on the outskirts of civilization.
When they visited Massasoit they brought gifts and honored him by firing their muskets in a salute. One such gift was a copper chain. He was told that any Native who came to Plymouth with the chain would be welcome.
It was neat to learn that the day William Bradford sent four men to go fowl hunting, Massasoit probably heard it and that’s why out of the 90 people he brought with him they were all men and not a single woman. That shows he was being cautious in case the Pilgrims were preparing for war. When he got there and saw they were celebrating, he then sent some of his men out to hunt for deer. Women might have joined the feast once it became clear it was safe. Massasoit and his advisors most likely ate at the “high table” that had the best food. There were probably tables inside and outside for everyone else to sit at. Everyone helped with the food, skinning the deer, grinding corn, plucking birds, getting shellfish, cooking the meat, and preparing everything. The entertainment was likely ball, sports, singing, music and dancing. The Wampanoag liked games of chance. The children probably played blind man’s bluff, where a blindfolded “hunter” tried to watch another person. There was also the ring-and-pin game, where the player tries to loop a ring over a pin.
I liked the inclusion of recipes to the things they ate back then and how to cook them now. Nasaump was a Wampanoag dish of dried corn that was pounded inside a mortar and then boiled in water until it formed a thick porridge. Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries were added. It could also be made as a clam broth with herbs like green onions and wild garlic. Stewed pompion was an English dish. Women made big kettles of stewed pumpkin to feed their families in the fall and winter. It could have been eaten every day or every meal.
It was such an eye-opener for me to learn that Native Americans don’t participate in Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag see it as a reminder of the horrible treatment of their ancestors. Since 1970 many have gone to the statue of Massasoit in Plymouth, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving as a vigil of the hardships their ancestors faced and honor the perseverance of their people. I never even thought of how Native Americans viewed the holiday, and it’s so sad that it means something completely different from what we see it as, that it’s actually something bad and painful for them. I can definitely understand why they wouldn’t want to recognize a holiday made by people who are responsible for why their people are in the situation they’re in now. I’m glad this book highlighted the fact that the Pilgrims celebrated beating the Native Americans and winning in battles, particularly the Pequot fort victory in which the Pilgrims killed 700 men, women and children and sold the survivors into slavery, and then had a day of thanksgiving for it, “to God for subduing the Pequots.” That really puts into perspective how religious they weren’t, because anyone doing God’s work would have never done that. It’s a lesson that religion can be twisted and just because people claim to do things in God’s name doesn’t mean what they’re doing is right.
What an eye-opener this whole book was. Everyone should read this at some point in their lives, sooner rather than later. At 23 it’s definitely late to be seeing such an important historical event in a true light, after being fed lies in school and even more in so many kids books with are gross misrepresentations to the point that they’re just insults. This book needed to be written and I’m glad the truth has gotten out. Now if schoolbooks would get on board, that would really be something.
I was surprised this was a children’s book, because the writing was so advanced and so long. It was like a school book for middle schoolers, not a younger elementary school audience as a picture book mostly suggests. The words used were meant for much older young adults, such as diplomacy, litany and so many others. The last part of the book was definitely not kid-friendly as from pg. 39-46 the writing is really small and there are so many words and deep issues that kids wouldn’t be able to keep up.
I’m glad I read this and I would read it again. I wish I owned this instead of temporarily as a library book, because it would be a good book to have in my collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2015
I would like to know why Plimoth was spelled that way.
November 16, 2010
This is a quick read but definitely informative at best on basic truths omitted, and certainly twisted, from our modern day tradition celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. Wampanoag, a tribe previously unknown to me, were the native people who previously lived in Plymouth before a European plague had killed most of them long before the arrival of the Mayflower. Mainstream education about the roots of this holiday needs to be retaught and relearned so we never forget the Wampanoag people and their importance to the early colonists in this area of Massachusetts.
If I'm ever in Massachusetts, I plan visiting the Plimoth Plantation to learn more first hand.
If I'm ever in Massachusetts, I plan visiting the Plimoth Plantation to learn more first hand.
December 4, 2021
5yo: I'm thankful for the pilgrims.
Me: Do you remember what I told you about how they took land from the people who were living there?
5yo: You don't know.
Me: Yes I do, I've read about it in books and learned about it in school. The story of Thanksgiving is mostly made up, and it didn't end well.
5yo: Well, I'm thankful for the STORY.
Me: I'm going to get you a book about this.
This was the best of the bunch. I just summarized each page.
Me: Do you remember what I told you about how they took land from the people who were living there?
5yo: You don't know.
Me: Yes I do, I've read about it in books and learned about it in school. The story of Thanksgiving is mostly made up, and it didn't end well.
5yo: Well, I'm thankful for the STORY.
Me: I'm going to get you a book about this.
This was the best of the bunch. I just summarized each page.
November 29, 2018
Thanksgiving, history, First Nations
Link to Magic Tree House, We're Still Here series
Link to Magic Tree House, We're Still Here series
November 26, 2016
When I picked this up at the library and found it was by Nat Geo I was excited to read it, knowing they would give a true account.
Second book I've heard then called 'People of the First Light.' Wampanoag means people of the light.
They call themselves that because 'we are the first people to see the beginning of the day.'
In the autumn of 1621, it was Keepunumuk, time of the harvest, for the Wampanoag.
'Preserving some for seven generations of unborn.' Nvr heard this before. Seven generations after them?
Quahaugs! Reminded me of the Quahaug festival in Meg Cabot book.
I'm glad there are many historic writings about the natives of the northeast. Most from Europeans, which might be wrong, but they combine them with oral histories that have been passed for thousands of years of the Wampanoags, until present. I'm so glad!
Wow the Wampanoag language is a language similar to the original language that all Prople of the eastern region spoke!
The English deceived their words as a 'rippling brook.'
Many Wampanoag were wuicker to speak Wopanaak than the English spoke their language. Wow the first bible printed in the new world was in Wopanaak, by John Elliot's King James Bible, in 1663, translated by 2 natives.
That's upsetting to read they stole their corn, and beads from graves, and baskets. Thinking it was a gift from God.
Hearing them say that the land was unused and therefore property of Christian Europeans was upsetting.
"Their land is spacious and void, and there are few...they are not industrious, neither have art, science, skill or faculty to use either the land or the commodities of it, but all spoils, rots, and is marred for want of manuring, gathering, ordering, etc...so is it lawful now to take a land which none useth, and make use of it.' Oh boy.
I'm happy to read Samoset carrying two arrows, one headed and one not, as a message!
I thought until another bokk I read that there were no Patuxet left. Surprised to find he was one of the last. A pniese is a warrior-councilor.
'Both sides needed this alliance.'
The Wampanoag lost many people to plague, and the English had weapons but were few in number too. Both sides prob thought that if they were together other powerful tribes like the Narragansett wouldn't attack them.
I never heard shortly after the treaty John carver died and was succeeded by William Bradford.
I've been reading that the black colors and buckles were false, as was the name pilgrim. It was a shock!
But I didn't think of the Indians with long headdresses and blankets over their shoulders.
Oh boy they were looking at the plains Indians in buffalo bills Wild West show. They wanted the black to represent the prosperous English and the natives to look like ignorant savages on the sidelines.
'As was customary, they also paid hong honor by shooting their muskets in a salute.'
Bradford have him a copper chain, for anyone carrying it would be greeted as a special messenger of Massasoit.
When Bradford sent four men to hunt waterfowl, the Wampanoag heard the shooting. While they marched and fired their muskets, it prob sounded like they were readying for war. So that's maybe why he showed up with 90 men and no women. I nvr really thought of that! I thought it just as a funny party crashing. But obviously here, he was being cautious.
Entertainments: singing, music and maybe dancing. 'The Wampanoag were especially find of games of chance.
The children prob played games they both knew, like blind mans bluff, or ring-and-pin.
The men did exercising of arms, military drills where they marched and shot muskets.
I like the recipes included.
The Wampanoag men prob sky built shelters for their 3 day stay.
They were prob there for more political reasons than celebratory.
They had a strawberry thanksgiving, which I haven't heard of, and a Green Corn Thanksgiving, which I have heard of.
The first recorded religious thanksgiving day in Plymouth was in 1623, 2 years after. They gave thanks to god for rain after a two month drought. Centuries later the 1621 harvest gathering was called the First Thanksgiving.
'Without Wampanoag corn, there would have been no harvest to celebrate in 1621.' Really? Just the corn?
'In later years the colonists proclaimed days of thanksgiving for military victories over native people.' Oh no.
'One came after the burning of the Pequot fort in 1637. Another celebrated the death of massasoit's son, at the end of "King Philip's War" in 1676. The first nationwide thanksgiving celebrated victory over the British at the revolutionary war battle of Saratoga in 1777.'
'In 1841, New England historians rediscovered the passage about the 1621 harvest gathering and incorrectly labeled it the First Thanksgiving.'
I just read Thank you, Sarah! 'In 1846 Sarah Josepha hale, editor of a magazine called Godey's Lady's Book, began to camp gain for an annual thanksgiving holiday.'
In 1863, Lincoln declared 2 national thanksgivings. One in August, celebrating the Battle of Gettysburg. And the other in November for "general blessings."
'During this time of turmoil, the myth of brave Pilgrims inviting Native people to sit with them in community and peace was very comforting. The autumn date coincided with new England's seasonal harvests and soon became adopted as a general thanksgiving day.' Oh, so that's how it happened. I'm starting to see why.
I didn't know this was a Nat Geo book until I got it home and looked at the cover. I was excited because I knew they'd have a true account with lots of facts. It was interesting seeing pictures of real actors working in a historical village, so that was exciting to see.
It was also cool reading that the author is Native American, too.
Second book I've heard then called 'People of the First Light.' Wampanoag means people of the light.
They call themselves that because 'we are the first people to see the beginning of the day.'
In the autumn of 1621, it was Keepunumuk, time of the harvest, for the Wampanoag.
'Preserving some for seven generations of unborn.' Nvr heard this before. Seven generations after them?
Quahaugs! Reminded me of the Quahaug festival in Meg Cabot book.
I'm glad there are many historic writings about the natives of the northeast. Most from Europeans, which might be wrong, but they combine them with oral histories that have been passed for thousands of years of the Wampanoags, until present. I'm so glad!
Wow the Wampanoag language is a language similar to the original language that all Prople of the eastern region spoke!
The English deceived their words as a 'rippling brook.'
Many Wampanoag were wuicker to speak Wopanaak than the English spoke their language. Wow the first bible printed in the new world was in Wopanaak, by John Elliot's King James Bible, in 1663, translated by 2 natives.
That's upsetting to read they stole their corn, and beads from graves, and baskets. Thinking it was a gift from God.
Hearing them say that the land was unused and therefore property of Christian Europeans was upsetting.
"Their land is spacious and void, and there are few...they are not industrious, neither have art, science, skill or faculty to use either the land or the commodities of it, but all spoils, rots, and is marred for want of manuring, gathering, ordering, etc...so is it lawful now to take a land which none useth, and make use of it.' Oh boy.
I'm happy to read Samoset carrying two arrows, one headed and one not, as a message!
I thought until another bokk I read that there were no Patuxet left. Surprised to find he was one of the last. A pniese is a warrior-councilor.
'Both sides needed this alliance.'
The Wampanoag lost many people to plague, and the English had weapons but were few in number too. Both sides prob thought that if they were together other powerful tribes like the Narragansett wouldn't attack them.
I never heard shortly after the treaty John carver died and was succeeded by William Bradford.
I've been reading that the black colors and buckles were false, as was the name pilgrim. It was a shock!
But I didn't think of the Indians with long headdresses and blankets over their shoulders.
Oh boy they were looking at the plains Indians in buffalo bills Wild West show. They wanted the black to represent the prosperous English and the natives to look like ignorant savages on the sidelines.
'As was customary, they also paid hong honor by shooting their muskets in a salute.'
Bradford have him a copper chain, for anyone carrying it would be greeted as a special messenger of Massasoit.
When Bradford sent four men to hunt waterfowl, the Wampanoag heard the shooting. While they marched and fired their muskets, it prob sounded like they were readying for war. So that's maybe why he showed up with 90 men and no women. I nvr really thought of that! I thought it just as a funny party crashing. But obviously here, he was being cautious.
Entertainments: singing, music and maybe dancing. 'The Wampanoag were especially find of games of chance.
The children prob played games they both knew, like blind mans bluff, or ring-and-pin.
The men did exercising of arms, military drills where they marched and shot muskets.
I like the recipes included.
The Wampanoag men prob sky built shelters for their 3 day stay.
They were prob there for more political reasons than celebratory.
They had a strawberry thanksgiving, which I haven't heard of, and a Green Corn Thanksgiving, which I have heard of.
The first recorded religious thanksgiving day in Plymouth was in 1623, 2 years after. They gave thanks to god for rain after a two month drought. Centuries later the 1621 harvest gathering was called the First Thanksgiving.
'Without Wampanoag corn, there would have been no harvest to celebrate in 1621.' Really? Just the corn?
'In later years the colonists proclaimed days of thanksgiving for military victories over native people.' Oh no.
'One came after the burning of the Pequot fort in 1637. Another celebrated the death of massasoit's son, at the end of "King Philip's War" in 1676. The first nationwide thanksgiving celebrated victory over the British at the revolutionary war battle of Saratoga in 1777.'
'In 1841, New England historians rediscovered the passage about the 1621 harvest gathering and incorrectly labeled it the First Thanksgiving.'
I just read Thank you, Sarah! 'In 1846 Sarah Josepha hale, editor of a magazine called Godey's Lady's Book, began to camp gain for an annual thanksgiving holiday.'
In 1863, Lincoln declared 2 national thanksgivings. One in August, celebrating the Battle of Gettysburg. And the other in November for "general blessings."
'During this time of turmoil, the myth of brave Pilgrims inviting Native people to sit with them in community and peace was very comforting. The autumn date coincided with new England's seasonal harvests and soon became adopted as a general thanksgiving day.' Oh, so that's how it happened. I'm starting to see why.
I didn't know this was a Nat Geo book until I got it home and looked at the cover. I was excited because I knew they'd have a true account with lots of facts. It was interesting seeing pictures of real actors working in a historical village, so that was exciting to see.
It was also cool reading that the author is Native American, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2024
Get this for your kids.
November 23, 2014
"Join us for a new look at the REAL history behind the event that inspired the myth of the The First Thanksgiving" (quoted from the back cover, emphasis added to highlight the laughable lack of self-awareness).
Debunking one mythology in favor of another: there are certainly worse examples of that phenomenon than this, but that doesn't excuse the thinly papered-over historical bias apparent here. Many of the same corrections to the conventional Thanksgiving story can be found elsewhere - e.g., the Cornerstones of Freedom book The First Thanksgiving - without the overtones of Native American sainthood and European evil. In the authors' zeal to make sure you get the "real truth," they not surprisingly (mostly) fail to recognize and acknowledge the limitations of their own knowledge regarding what actually transpired 400 years ago, as well as the possibility that they have introduced their own biases and orthodoxy into their historical account.
Debunking one mythology in favor of another: there are certainly worse examples of that phenomenon than this, but that doesn't excuse the thinly papered-over historical bias apparent here. Many of the same corrections to the conventional Thanksgiving story can be found elsewhere - e.g., the Cornerstones of Freedom book The First Thanksgiving - without the overtones of Native American sainthood and European evil. In the authors' zeal to make sure you get the "real truth," they not surprisingly (mostly) fail to recognize and acknowledge the limitations of their own knowledge regarding what actually transpired 400 years ago, as well as the possibility that they have introduced their own biases and orthodoxy into their historical account.
February 27, 2018
A reasonable attempt to tell the real story of the meal that occurred after the English invaders had survived one year on Turtle Island (mostly due to the largess of the Wampanoag leader Massasoit who had given food to the colonists during the first winter when supplies brought from England were insufficient). On the day of this presumed harvest feast, many English went shooting for rabbit. In this book it is theorized that all of the shooting brought the large number of Wampanoag males, armed for battle. This would explain why there are only males at the "Thanksgiving" meal.
This book does describe the kindness and generosity of the Wampanoag people and the surrounding tribes, and their foundational, and subsequently unfortunate, role in the survival of the settlers; but it does not discuss at all the treachery and betrayal with which they were "repaid" by the English whose lives they had saved.
This book does describe the kindness and generosity of the Wampanoag people and the surrounding tribes, and their foundational, and subsequently unfortunate, role in the survival of the settlers; but it does not discuss at all the treachery and betrayal with which they were "repaid" by the English whose lives they had saved.
November 10, 2017
The history and legends of Thanksgiving become so much more meaningful by including the Wampanoag perspective. Photos of re-enactors at Plimouth Plantation bring the story beautifully to life. And quotes from the original settlers, a timeline of events, recipes, and thoughtful commentary make this both easy to read and inspiration for deeper thought.
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December 3, 2018This tells of the true story of thanksgiving involving the pilgrims and natives that meet on the soil of the now United States. I think that this is a great book that brings up valid and historical points that aren't always brought up during this season in a readers life. I think that these points and ideas that Grace talks about are important to understanding the true history and giving readers a new look on a tradition that we have Americanized. The reading is more relaxed and light because of the visual appearance through the pages and the explanation that not all history is all facts, and that there are multiple myths and stories from different sources.
September 28, 2024
This is a very good ... and much more accurate ... telling of the early Thanksgiving. Shows both the good and the bad in the relationship with the natives and the immigrants to the New World. Tells the story in a pleasant way, but with more accuracy, and still is easy enough for younger readers to be able to understand. Great book for an elementary classroom!
December 1, 2018
This is a good book for the whole family. Young children will enjoy looking at the detailed, historically accurate photo spreads, while older children and adults will gain a new perspective on the 1621 "Thanksgiving" -- both its myths and its realities.
December 16, 2021
Informative! I learned much about our “First Thanksgiving” myth and what is known about American Thanksgiving history. There’s a teacher in our region who borrowed 20 copies (class set) from our library collections, and that prompted me to read it. It would make an excellent reading-in-the content areas trade book read for grades 4-8 especially, but also for high school and adults.
November 20, 2018
It's a quick read, and informational, though it feels a bit dated as it has a relatively old design style. The photographs of the reinactments are very helpful in offering a view of what life was like for both the English and the Natives during the mid-17th century.
The writing isn't terribly engaging, but I believe this is considered a children's book, so perhaps that's why; it may be written in simple language in an effort to make it comprehensible to a younger audience. I think it could have been done a bit more interestingly, however.
I learned some history from this book, so it accomplished its goal, and I am happy to share this with my children so they can understand the reality of Thanksgiving. At some level, I appreciated the simplicity of the book, since I've seen adult versions of the story that were convoluted and left the "why" difficult to completely decipher. This book puts everything into very straight-forward language and is accessible to all.
The writing isn't terribly engaging, but I believe this is considered a children's book, so perhaps that's why; it may be written in simple language in an effort to make it comprehensible to a younger audience. I think it could have been done a bit more interestingly, however.
I learned some history from this book, so it accomplished its goal, and I am happy to share this with my children so they can understand the reality of Thanksgiving. At some level, I appreciated the simplicity of the book, since I've seen adult versions of the story that were convoluted and left the "why" difficult to completely decipher. This book puts everything into very straight-forward language and is accessible to all.
November 24, 2018
This nonfiction book informs readers of the true meaning of Thanksgiving and the real reason of why we celebrate it still to this day. I rated it 4 stars because it was very informative and interesting to hear the real reason of the holiday celebration. However, I thought it was boring at times. Good for readers grades 5-12.
November 24, 2018
Great dive into the true history of Thanksgiving. My husband and I read it in one sitting together and brought it with us to our church's Thanksgiving dinner.
November 6, 2018
This original book is the true story about the Natives and the Pilgrims living in New England. The books talks about all the hardships that the Native Americans had to go through. This book is great at showing the true story about what happened in the past. This is a good book for 4th-8th grade.
October 28, 2018
A New Look at Thanksgiving is a non-fiction book that reflects on the true story of the Pilgrims and the Natives living on the land of New England New Plymouth. It tells the story of the English taking over the Native land and the hardships the Native Americans endured as a result. The theme of this book is the truth and reflecting and teaching how not all history is factual but rather, a myth. I gave this book four stars because I really enjoy the pictures and the history contained in this book.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Ages: 4th-6th Grade
Genre: Non-Fiction
Ages: 4th-6th Grade
November 21, 2016
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving a National Geographic Society publication by Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac revisits the traditional myths surrounding the first Thanksgiving observance. Stepping beyond the Euro-centric slant, it strives to incorporate a more balanced view of the historic event and to give equal billing to the Native* people who joined with the Pilgrim settlers. It asks readers to consider that “Unquestioning acceptance of biased interpretations can affect the way we treat one another, even today.” Although the target audience for this book is 8-12 year-olds, parents and teachers can infuse their explanations of Thanksgiving with a more balanced history with even their littlest children.
This book offers a historical context and is based on respected scholarship. It was developed in partnership with the Plimoth Plantation a “living” museum with reenacters who portray historically accurate colonial life. Much of the information will probably surprise many adult readers and upend long-held beliefs. It is much more than an entertaining “story” book; its purpose is to educate readers and inspire gratitude for all of the people who contributed to our history.
*The main tribe with whom the Pilgrims interacted was the Wampanoag tribe. Their name translates as “People of the First Light.”
Adoption-attuned Lens: Because of its strong stand for truth and respect this book can be used to trigger conversations about a child’s family of origin so that their contribution to his/her life can be acknowledged and appreciated. It also can lead to discussions about any hard truths in a child’s history as well., Gayle H. Swift, "ABC, Adoption & Me"
This book offers a historical context and is based on respected scholarship. It was developed in partnership with the Plimoth Plantation a “living” museum with reenacters who portray historically accurate colonial life. Much of the information will probably surprise many adult readers and upend long-held beliefs. It is much more than an entertaining “story” book; its purpose is to educate readers and inspire gratitude for all of the people who contributed to our history.
*The main tribe with whom the Pilgrims interacted was the Wampanoag tribe. Their name translates as “People of the First Light.”
Adoption-attuned Lens: Because of its strong stand for truth and respect this book can be used to trigger conversations about a child’s family of origin so that their contribution to his/her life can be acknowledged and appreciated. It also can lead to discussions about any hard truths in a child’s history as well., Gayle H. Swift, "ABC, Adoption & Me"
November 16, 2015
This story gave an insight on Thanksgiving that not many people realize. A view from the Wampanoag people and their side of the events of Thanksgiving. This event was actually three days long but much betrayal between the settlers and Wampanoag people had happened prior to this event. Many settlers took the people under captivity and they ended up getting sick with the plague and many people died. This story would be intended for children nine and up who can understand that the story they might have heard about thanksgiving is actually untrue. The term thanksgiving was not even used nor was the word pilgrim. The settlers did not dress in all black, and the Wampanoag people actually had varieties of different clothing. This is only some of the differences that are told between stories. This is a non fiction book with actual details of the events of this time. The dominant theme is the focus on what actually happened on what we know as thanksgiving. The actual suffering and betrayal that happened to the Wampanoag people. I rated this book well because it gives a good insight on actual facts of history.
November 23, 2009
This book delves into the history of the Wampanoag people and the English settlers in Plimoth to describe the actual events of the "first Thanksgiving." In looking more closely at the history, a more complex and textured look at these people develops than the traditional stories told in schools across the country. Co-authors Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac worked closely with Plimoth Plantation historians to tell the whole story by including the voices of all who were involved.
Traditionally, both English and Wampanoag cultures gathered to celebrate the harvest, but the gathering in 1621 took place for politcal reasons and was unlikely to be called Thanksgiving. In October of 2000, Plimoth Plantation cooperated with the Wampanoag community to stage an historically accurate reenactment of the 1621 harvest celebration. The photographs taken by Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson capture the spirit of the event and bring it to life.
Traditionally, both English and Wampanoag cultures gathered to celebrate the harvest, but the gathering in 1621 took place for politcal reasons and was unlikely to be called Thanksgiving. In October of 2000, Plimoth Plantation cooperated with the Wampanoag community to stage an historically accurate reenactment of the 1621 harvest celebration. The photographs taken by Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson capture the spirit of the event and bring it to life.
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March 10, 2014I liked this book because it had facts about the real history behind Thanksgiving. I was aware that Thanksgiving was not what it is made out to be, but did not know specific details such as the date and how they never called it Thanksgiving. I think this book is biased because it focuses on the Wampanoag tribe which I believe makes sense. However, both perspectives should be considered because there was not nearly as much information about the English and their motives. The book has photographs of the tribe today and provides information about the tribe which makes the book more concrete and it does not delve too deeply into the tragic events after the feast. In my opinion, this book is long for students, but could be used if broken into sections or summarized. It would not be suitable for a read aloud, but could be used for discussion if summarized. Vocabulary would need to be discussed and introduced as well for students to be successful with the book.
September 3, 2015
This is an amazing book that tells an honest and fair account of the settlement of the English in Massachusetts and the harvest festival that was later turned into the Thanksgiving holiday. There is a good balance between the perspectives of the Native Americans and the English. I really loved the depictions of Native Americans, which portrayed them with dignity. This book is filled with photos of reenactments, so you can see a more realistic version of the events covered, rather than the romanticised paintings that are often found in school textbooks. I highly recommend this for every child's home library.
November 10, 2017
I definitely think this would be a fifth or sixth grade reading level. It was a great informative book of the real history of of the first thanksgiving. Growing up in the American school system we are taught the myth of the happy Thanksgiving were pilgrims sat at the table with Native Americans who graciously shared there food. This book gives a real history of both sides, not completely going against one or the other but a good factual background! For example, did you the Native Americans the English colonist encountered were called the Wampanoag!
December 4, 2015
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving is all about Thanksgiving, from the story to different recipes to try. I thought this was a very good book, because it has many different aspects included, so it doesn't feel like you're reading a textbook. I think this a book that kids would really enjoy, especially leading up to Thanksgiving. I would say this book could be for mid-upper elementary. I classified this as non-fiction.
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