Quick Rundown:
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Sal Murdocca
Age Range: 6-9 or Grades: 1-5
Pages: 73
Blurb: “It’s a time for giving thanks when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to 1621 on the first Thanksgiving Day. The Pilgrims ask them to help get things ready. But whether it’s cooking or clamming, Jack and Annie don’t know how to do anything the Pilgrim way. Will they ruin the holiday forever? Or will the feast go on?”
About: It is Thanksgiving Day, and Jack and Annie are ready to go on one of their adventures. When they arrive to the treehouse they find a book about a feast and before they know it, they are looking like Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. They encounter a group of Pilgrims which include Governor Bradford, Captain Standish, and Squanto. They also meet Priscilla, which Annie is extremely excited about because she portrayed her in a school play.
Before they know it, Jack and Annie find themselves at the bay trying to catch eels and clams for the big feast. Jack had to check out the research book to learn how to catch eels and dig for clams. Once they caught the first eel, they felt bad and after reading how long they lived for, they decided against digging for them. Back at Priscilla’s cabin, Jack and Annie helped with a turkey but *you’ll have to read to find out* something happened to it.
Before long it is time for everyone to gather for the feast. It was here that Jack and Annie found the answer to Morgan’s rhyme so that means it was time to head home. They walked away with Squanto who taught them how to plant corn and gave them some seeds to take with them.
Activities to try with the book:
–Thankful: What are you thankful for? Can you draw or find a picture of what you are thankful for? Then write a sentence why you are thankful for this.
–Compare/Contrast: After reading the story, compare and contrast the differences between Pilgrim life and life today.
–Writing Prompt: Squanto said, “Be kind to those who feel different and afraid.” What does that mean to you?
Up Next: High Tide in Hawaii
If you complete any of the activities, please tag me on Instagram: @readingthroughthelibrary
I would love to see what you do!
You can also see more activities related to the book on Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Readingthroughthelibrary
Reading Through the Library 