The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books) [Paperback]

James Daugherty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 1981 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Landmark Books

In England in the early 1600s, everyone was forced to join the Church of England. Young William Bradford and his friends believed they had every right to belong to whichever church they wanted. In the name of religious freedom, they fled to Holland, then sailed to America to start a new life. But the winter was harsh, and before a year passed, half the settlers had died. Yet, through hard work and strong faith, a tough group of Pilgrims did survive. Their belief in freedom of religion became an American ideal that still lives on today.

James Daugherty draws on the Pilgrims' own journals to give a fresh and moving account of their life and traditions, their quest for religious freedom, and the founding of one of our nation's most beloved holidays—Thanksgiving.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In England in the early 1600s, everyone was forced to join the Church of England. Young William Bradford and his friends believed they had every right to belong to whichever church they wanted. In the name of religious freedom, they fled to Holland, then sailed to America to start a new life. But the winter was harsh, and before a year passed, half the settlers had died. Yet, through hard work and strong faith, a tough group of Pilgrims did survive. Their belief in freedom of religion became an American ideal that still lives on today.

James Daugherty draws on the Pilgrims' own journals to give a fresh and moving account of their life and traditions, their quest for religious freedom, and the founding of one of our nation's most beloved holidays?Thanksgiving.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 12, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394846974
• ISBN-13: 978-0394846972
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.4 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > Colonial & Revolutionary
  • #53 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > General
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > Colonial & Revolutionary

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best biography of the Pilgrims currently available!, April 7, 2000

By 

Rea C. Berg (San Luis Obispo, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books) (Paperback)

This very factual recounting of the saga of the Pilgrims is taken largely from William Bradford's personal diary, 'Of Plimoth Plantation' and is a fast paced, and insightful look into the lives of the Pilgrims and the price they paid for religious freedom. It also accounts accurately the peaceable and friendly relations they maintained with the Indians of that region, and their mutual treaty which lasted for nearly 50 years, until the time of King Phillip's War. The amicable relations which the Pilgrims maintained with King Massasoit and Squanto reveal the noble intentions of both parties. This is an essential part of American history and should be read by all students studying this period. Adults will enjoy this one too!

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Landing of the Pilgrims, December 14, 2001

By 

Ben Richardson (Marietta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books) (Paperback)

A Response to The Landing of the Pilgrims

Landing of the Pilgrims, is a book about the first settlers in the New World and their journey across the ocean in hope of religious freedom. It also tells the story of their good times, troubles, and hardships. The author, James Daugherty, vividly tells their story by giving evidence of truth through real documents and their journals. In my opinion, there is no better way to learn about them.
This historical fiction book opens up in 1607 with the main character, William Bradford, as a boy, and goes through his life to the death. The reader learns of Bradford's fellow believers and their journey to Holland, life there, and their long pilgrimage across the great Atlantic, to America. The reader is also shown the hard work and effort put in by these people so that we can have what we do today.
I think this is a good, well-written book that conveys the elementary message of the reasons and purposes the Pilgrims had in coming to "New England". Daugherty makes the reader feel as if he were in Virginia over 350 years ago sharing the new knowledge and new experiences with Bradford and the early settlers. He does a great job constructing sentences and he really describes things very well. I think Daugherty did a good job with the details as well. He answered almost all the questions a reader could ask and he could answer about life of the early settlers. But I think he probably could have included more about what the pilgrims did for leisure and play. At one time he mentions that they worked six days a week and they worshipped most all of Sunday with just a little time for play. Perhaps they didn't do anything for fun during the week? If the latter is not the case than I wish he would have been more detailed in that area.
One thing that I learned about was the charter companies and their contracts with the new settlers. The company provided them with goods and transportation and in return the Pilgrims would send them furs, fish, and other new products of America. The company worked like the modern day stock market.
Overall it was a good book and very enjoyable. Considering it's length and content I would recommend the book to 5th graders. It could also be a good tool for learning how to write well-constructed sentences. I hope Daugherty has written other books like this one (only at a higher reading level). If so I will definitely read more of his work!

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Bit Disappointed, January 10, 2007

By 

Julie A. Burchardt "born 2 teach" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Landing of the Pilgrims (Landmark Books) (Paperback)

I bought multiple copies of this book to use with fifth grade students. It is short chapters--snippets of things that happened with the pilgrims. Very factual and somewhat dry. Towards the end of the book, it gets difficult to keep all of the Native American chiefs separated. I don't think I'll use it again. The kids did not enjoy it at all. If you're looking for a pilgrim book, The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple is much better.