Thanksgiving The True Story [Hardcover]

Every year on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal. But what is the origin of this tradition? Did it really begin when the Pilgrims and Native Americans got together in 1621 in Plymouth,Massachusetts?

In her signature narrative nonfiction style, Penny Colman paints a fascinating picture of this cherished American holiday. She examines numerous Thanksgiving claims which were antecedents to the national holiday we celebrate today, raises the turkey questiondoes everyone eat turkey on Thanksgiving?and shows Sarah Josepha Hale's instrumental role in establishing the holiday. Get ready to delve into the rich past of Thanksgiving in an enlightening history that uncovers the true story.

Thanksgivingis a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

PENNY COLMANis the author of many award-winning nonfiction books. She lives in Englewood, New Jersey.

Discussion Questions
Part I
1. Thanksgiving is Penny Colman's favorite holiday. What about you? What is your favorite holiday? Why?
2. Colman concludes that none of the 12 claims in chapter 1 led directly to the establishment of Thanksgiving
as a national holiday in the United States. What do you think about the claims on Table 1 (pages
10-11)? Do you think that all or some of the claims should be remembered as important historical events?
Which ones and why?
3. Colman asserts that The true story of our modern Thanksgiving starts with two very old traditions:
celebrating harvest festivals and proclaiming days of thanksgiving for special events. Do you agree? Why?
4. In what ways is Juliana Smith's family's Thanksgiving Day similar to your family's (pages 33-35)? How is
it different?
5. Sarah Josepha Hale has been called the Mother of Thanksgiving. Do you think people will easily accept
her as the force behind the establishment of a national Thanksgiving Day in lieu of President Abraham
Lincoln whol#