Book

Three Young Pilgrims

📖 Overview

Three Young Pilgrims follows Mary, Remember, and Bartholomew Allerton during their journey on the Mayflower and their first year in the New World. The story centers on these three siblings as they experience the challenges of leaving England and establishing Plymouth Colony in 1620. The narrative tracks the family's Atlantic crossing aboard the Mayflower, depicting daily life on the crowded ship. After arriving in Plymouth, the children must help build shelters, find food, and adapt to their new surroundings while facing harsh winter conditions. This illustrated historical account incorporates maps, diagrams, and period details that contextualize the Pilgrims' experiences. The book balances the broader historical events with the personal perspective of the Allerton children. The book explores themes of perseverance, family bonds, and the impact of major historical changes through the eyes of young witnesses. It presents an accessible entry point for understanding early American colonial life and the realities faced by the Plymouth settlers.

👀 Reviews

Readers praise the historical accuracy and detailed illustrations in Three Young Pilgrims. Teachers and parents report it works well for elementary school Thanksgiving units, with many noting it holds children's attention while teaching history. Positive comments focus on: - Illustrations that show daily life details - Historical facts woven naturally into the story - Age-appropriate handling of hardships - Personal perspective through child characters Main criticisms: - Text dense for younger readers - Some find the narrative dry - Price point higher than similar books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (182 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) "The illustrations alone make this worth getting," notes one Amazon reviewer. A teacher on Goodreads writes: "Students connect with the children's perspective and remember more details than from textbook readings." Some parents mention needing to break the reading into multiple sessions due to length, but most feel the content justifies the time investment.

📚 Similar books

Sarah Morton's Day by Kate Waters A photographic recreation follows a young Pilgrim girl through her daily activities in Plymouth Colony.

Samuel Eaton's Day by Kate Waters This book documents the life of a seven-year-old boy in Plymouth Colony as he learns and performs his responsibilities as a settler.

Tapenum's Day by Kate Waters The story presents a Wampanoag Indian boy's perspective of life in 1620s Plymouth Colony through historically accurate photographs.

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh The Hopkins family's journey on the Mayflower and their first year in Plymouth Colony unfolds through the eyes of three children.

On the Mayflower by Kate Waters The voyage of the Mayflower comes to life through the experiences of a young passenger using period reenactors and authentic settings.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Though the Pilgrims are often depicted wearing black and white, they actually wore colorful clothing. This book accurately shows them in browns, greens, reds, and other vibrant hues. 🌟 Author Cheryl Harness not only writes children's books but is also an accomplished illustrator who created all the detailed artwork for this book herself. 🌟 The book focuses on the real-life Allerton children - Mary, Remember, and Bartholomew - who actually sailed on the Mayflower. Mary later became one of the few Pilgrim children to write about her experiences. 🌟 The Pilgrims spent more time on the Mayflower (about 7 months total) than they initially planned because storms blew them off course and delayed their landing. 🌟 The Native Americans Samoset and Squanto, who appear in the book, spoke English because they had previously been captured and taken to England, where they learned the language before returning home.