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Description
Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.
In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn. RIGHT?
WRONG! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day. Did you know that the pilgrims didn't go straight from England to Plymouth? No, they made a stop along the way--and almost stayed forever!
Did you know there was a second ship, called the Speedwell, that was too leaky to make the trip? No joke. And just wait until you learn the truth about Plymouth Rock.
Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the legends of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving.
"Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!" --Candace Fleming, award-winning author
Don't miss History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote!
History Massachusetts New Plymouth, 1620-1691 Pilgrims (New Plymouth colony) Mayflower (Ship)
Kirkus
Starred Review
Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children.
School Library Journal
Gr 4-7—The latest addition to "History Smashers" focuses on the Mayflower. Readers may think they know everything about the ship, the pilgrims, and the first Thanksgiving, but the text gently corrects assumptions with facts. Truthfully, there was no landing on Plymouth Rock and the settlers didn't call themselves pilgrims. The text presents a frank overview of the crossing of the Atlantic and what happened to the resident Indigenous people after the English settlers landed at Cape Cod. This series speaks directly to middle grade readers, generating and sustaining interest with attention-grabbing text and art (comics and sidebars). There is a little something for everyone in the presentation. Readers might want to compare the primary source entries with Messner's explanations as well as works of familiar, stylized art seen in museums and textbooks. VERDICT This illustrated nonfiction book would be a great addition to any middle school library looking to provide accurate, interesting nonfiction resources. —Kim Gardner, Fort Worth Country Day Sch., TX
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Publishers Weekly
Opening the History Smashers series along with the simultaneously published History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote, this entertaining, informative offering by Messner (The Next President) aims to decolonize the story of the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving. Drawing on historical documents and consultations with Linda Coombs, an Aquinnah Wampanoag educator and historian, Messner goes beyond the myths surrounding the English Separatists' journey and gives context often left out of that history. Beginning with the English perspective ("Who Were the Pilgrims, Anyway?"), Messner describes what the sea voyage would have been like, what the travelers actually found when they arrived in what is now the U.S., and the Wampanoag people and culture native to the region the Separatists claimed for themselves. Messner also sheds light on the "first Thanksgiving" and packs the narrative full of historical quotes, helpfully translating history into accessible, contemporary speech. Historical paintings, as well as lighthearted, engaging black-and-white cartoon illustrations by Meconis, frequently in graphic novel-style panels, make complex and often grim history relevant to young readers. A cast list highlighting some individuals from the Mayflower rounds out this well-researched book, a multifaceted resource for any school or library. Back matter includes an author's note and a bibliography. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (July)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Kate Messner is a New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books for kids. Her titles include award-winning picture books like Over and Under the Snow, The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story, and Axolotl-Ella; novels like All the Answers, Breakout, and The Trouble with Heroes; graphic novels like Camp Monster; and the Wildlife Rescue chapter books. Kate also writes the popular History Smashers graphic nonfiction series and leads the multi-author team behind The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class series. She lives on Lake Champlain and spends her free time hiking, kayaking, and listening to way too many Broadway cast recordings. Kate Messner es una autora superventas del New York Times con más de ochenta libros para niños. Sus títulos incluyen libros ilustrados galardonados como Over and Under the Snow, The Whale’s Tale and the Otter’s Side of the Story y Axolotl-Ella; novelas como All the Answers, Breakout y The Trouble with Heroes; novelas gráficas como Camp Monster; y los libros de capítulos de Wildlife Rescue. Kate también escribe la popular serie de no ficción gráfica History Smashers y lidera el equipo de varios autores detrás de la serie The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class. Vive en el lago Champlain y pasa su tiempo libre haciendo senderismo, practicando kayak y escuchando demasiadas grabaciones del elenco de Broadway.
