Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving

Book excerpt: Discover the amazing true story of how one Native American's suffering, generosity, and friendship led to the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, by New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas. In 1608, traders came to Massachusetts, captured a Patuxet boy named Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was later cared for by Christians, taught faith in God, and learned to speak English. Ten years after his capture, he returned to America and learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. Yet God had plans for Squanto. When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, Squanto had the ability to communicate with the new settlers. Imagine their surprise to find an indigenous man who spoke the same language as they did living in the exact place where they landed in a strange new world. Because of Squanto's help translating, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans lived together in friendship and celebrated the first Thanksgiving. This beautifully illustrated picture book for children 6 to 10 tells the biography of Squanto, his journey to Europe and back, and his life-saving friendship to the new settlers at Plymouth; shows that God can bring good things out of bad circumstances; is the perfect blend of information and adventure; and is a great addition to a Thanksgiving celebration, Sunday School class, family story time, homeschool unit, or fall bedtime routine. Learn about the people at the first Thanksgiving and how God can work miracles around the world.