Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (NOOK Kids Read to Me) Pub. Date: 9/20/2011 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
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Paperback

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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (Reprint) Pub. Date: 9/27/2005 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
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Hardcover

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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving Pub. Date: 10/1/2002 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

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Overview

We the people of the United States...

Almost Lost Thanksgiving

Yes. That's right!

Way back when "skirts were long and hats were tall" Americans were forgetting Thanksgiving, and nobody seemed to care!

Thankfully, Sarah Hale appeared. More steadfast than Plymouth Rock, this lady editor knew the holiday needed saving. But would her recipe for rescue ever convince Congress and the presidents?

Join acclaimed author Laurie Halse Anderson on a journey of a woman and a pen that spanned four decades, the Civil War, and five presidents, all so you could have your turkey and eat it too!

Relates how Sarah Hale, a magazine editor and author, persuaded President Lincoln to transform Thanksgiving Day into a national holiday.

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

For most of us, the story of Thanksgiving evokes thoughts of Pilgrims and Native American enjoying a colonial feast. But the story and the celebration might be unknown to us but for the tireless efforts of a little-known woman. For 38 years, persistent patriot Sarah Hale tirelessly wielded her pen, writing public office holders in support of a national holiday for Thanksgiving. Finally, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation making this day of Thanksgiving a national holiday. Written by a National Book Award finalist, Thank You, Sarah! pays tribute to a letter-writing heroine.

Publishers Weekly

This tale of a little-known historical heroine touts the power of the pen and persistence. With an irreverent tone ("You think you know everything about Thanksgiving, don't you?") and caricatures that play up past Americans' laissez-faire attitude, Anderson (Speak) and Faulkner (The Amazing Voyage of Jackie Grace) chart the progress of Sarah Hale, whose relentless letters and 38 years of petitioning presidents, secured Thanksgiving's status as a national holiday. A hilarious spread of presidents Taylor and Filmore passing the buck to Pierce (Lincoln finally makes the day official in 1863) typifies the balance of humor and history in this snappy volume. An afterword offers additional delectable facts (e.g., FDR tried moving up the holiday in 1939 and '40 to extend the holiday shopping season; Hale also wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb"). Ages 5-10. (Oct.)

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From The Critics

Gr 1-4-Anderson turns a little-known historical tidbit into a fresh, funny, and inspirational alternative to the standard Thanksgiving stories. Alarmed that the observance was dying out since many states did not observe it at all and those that did had no agreement as to date, Sarah Hale began 38 years of letter writing in support of making it a national holiday. Ignored or refused by administration after administration, she persisted until at last, President Lincoln, possibly persuaded by her argument that it would help to reunite the union, declared the fourth Thursday in November as a national holiday in 1863. The writing sparkles and is well matched by the spirited and irreverent caricatures (including Native people and pilgrims with feathers in their headbands and hats). Lively and provocative sentences involve readers. Anderson doesn't state the facts; she reveals them, unveils them, and celebrates them, and her text certainly shows that persistence and eloquence can succeed. Faulkner takes every opportunity to provide visual humor. He draws Sarah and other ladies storming the doors of the state house with a giant quill pen as a battering ram. His busts of recalcitrant presidents and his graphic depiction of the "other things" President Buchanan had "on his mind" convey complex historical concepts while adding to the humorous tone of the book. A "Feast of Facts" gives more information on Thanksgiving, Hale, and the year 1863, and ends with the exhortation: "Pick up your pen. Change the world."-Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780689851438
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date: 9/27/2005
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 40
Sales rank: 119,677
Age range: 5 - 8 Years
Lexile: 0350L (what's this?)
Product dimensions: 10.90 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 0.10 (d)

Meet the Author

Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson grew up in Syracuse, New York, and now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two daughters. Her first novel, Speak, a Printz Honor and National Book Award finalist, is available on audio from Listening Library

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5

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ProfJP

Posted January 2, 2010

Great Read-Aloud Book - wonderful history!

I took this book to my daughter's 1st grade class for 'Mystery Reader' day right before Thanksgiving and the kids LOVED it! The teacher and I enjoyed it too - neither of us were really aware of how Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

The illustration makes the book wonderful to read aloud to a group and the writing is excellent for 1st and 2nd grade readers. I would recommend this book for parents and teachers of young children as an excellent Thanksgiving story - something over and above the history of the pilgrims which gives an added facet to the celebration of the holiday.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Squid22Syd23

Posted November 14, 2010

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Great Book!

When I was in fourth grade we did a play on this book! It was just my classroom that did the play but all the other fourth grade classes came and saw it! I am really into theatre so I got Sarah, the main part. I just realized that this was the book that our play was based on! I remember that it was a great book!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted December 6, 2009

Great story for kids to undertand every day heroes

I bought this last year for Thanksgiving. My son (5) really enjoys it. It teaches him that anyone can be a hero if they stick up for what they believe in.
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Anonymous

Posted November 5, 2005

History & Humor with Outstanding Illustrations

This book combines history and tradition, is politically correct, and somehow still manages to be interesting and really funny. The illustrations are excellent- flamboyant yet realistic, with characters ranging from presidential caricatures to the improbable Thanksgiving hero 'Turkey Dude'. The story is related in a chatty tone that appeals to kids, and yet the subject is a little-known piece of history even for most adults, who will enjoy discovering this with their children.
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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

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