Thank You, Thanksgiving (2003) by David Milgrim
This is a very simple picture book that tells the story of a young girl running an errand for her family on Thanksgiving. It is told through a series of gratitudes, “Thank you, warm boots. Thank you, hill.” It’s a sweet, easy read with fun pictures that might help remind us we can be grateful for so many things in our everyday lives.
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Ruby Holler (2002) by Sharon Creech
We’ve all read children’s stories of orphans being taken in and changing the lives of the sullen people around them, but here is a different, and probably more realistic, take. Orphan twins, Dallas and Florida, are, as one might expect, a bit untrusting, very much hurt (though they might not admit it), and extremely prone to mischief. They haven’t been dealt a great hand in life at their orphanage and haven’t learned about trust or love or respect from anyone except each other. When an older couple takes them in temporarily, the reader witnesses the changes that take place for all of them, but especially the young teen orphans.
While I wouldn’t call this one of my favorite books, it was satisfying in a quiet sort of way. To speak my truth, I didn’t always like the twins, but as the book progresses, you begin to understand why they are the way they are. And when seen through Sairy’s eyes, you can see past the childish mistakes to the true nature of these kids. In fact, several times throughout the book, I told my husband I’d like to be able to handle our child’s “mistakes,” “mischief,” “disasters” more like Sairy would.
Ch 43
“Maybe what you consider goofs aren’t what I consider goofs—it’s just stuff that happens.” (Tiller)
Ch 45
“What’s a little rain? What’s a little water? What’s a little lostness?” (Tiller)
Ch 15
“Do you think we were good parents?”
Sairy—“Of course we were, once we made our mistakes and got over worrying so much. Sometimes I think we were just getting really good at it when all of a sudden those kids were grown up and gone. Maybe that’s why it seems easier to me now, with Florida and Dallas. I figure we know what to expect and we know how to love kids.”
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Holes (1998) by Louis Sachar
I remember exactly where I was the first time I got lost in this book. I found it absolutely impossible to put down and read it all in one sitting at a quiet little park. Since then, I’ve read this book countless times. (I refuse to see the movie, of course.)
Stanley is sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn’t commit. At this correctional facility, the boys are expected to dig a five foot hole every day in the blistering heat. Stanley Yelnats is not your typical hero, and I love that. I love that Louis Sachar takes such a relatively short kids’ book about a kid at a correctional facility and makes it into a grand adventure, complete with plot twists, villains, and mysteries, spanning generations. This is such a clever book and such an enjoyable read. I would recommend it without hesitation to adults. For children though, I definitely hesitate. Even though the story is an enjoyable one and the text can be read by elementary-aged readers, there are some very disturbing bits. I’m constantly tempted to read this with my children, and then I remember some of the more intense parts – fist fights, a racist mob, a sexual assault, and a murder. So… as much as I love this book, it might require a pre-read before handing it off to your young child.
Thanksgiving at Our House (1991) by Wendy Watson
I checked out this book based on my love of the Watsons’ Catch Me, Kiss Me, and Say It Again. This Thanksgiving book follows a family in their preparations and Thanksgiving feasting. Mixed in with the story are original nursery rhymes. On first read, the rhymes seemed a little too non-sensical for me. But after only one more read-through, I was delighted. So many of the nursery rhymes we all know so well are completely odd and non-sensical if we really listen to them. These rhymes have the same flow and crazy imagery, sounding familiar and yet fresh.
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Thanksgiving Book list
Liar and Spy (2012) by Rebecca Stead
I, like so many others, loved Stead’s Newbery-winning, When You Reach Me, and was inspired to read more of her books. Liar and Spy is also a middle-school novel, and while it is a little subtler and a bit “quieter” than the other, it is still a wonderful read. It touches on so many middle school issues – losing friends, teasing/bullying, trying to make new friends, family challenges, facing fears, moving, and being different. I love the way Georges (pronounced “George”) interacts with his dad. I love the off-beat homeschoolers he befriends. I love how everything comes together like a puzzle at the end. And I especially love the way Georges is able to use his situation and feelings to help him understand others. This is a great book for any age, but how wonderful to have a book geared towards middle schoolers.