Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy In Pilgrim Times [Hardcover]

Kate Waters (Author), Russ Kendall (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Chosen to become a special warrior prince in 1627, Tapenum prepares himself for the great honor by hunting, fishing, and sharing a day with friends and family, in a story that is complemented by photographs of Plymouth Plantation.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4?By following a boy through his day, readers learn how the Wampanoag Indians lived in the 1600s. Their homes, clothing, food, and weapons are shown and explained in the course of the story. Their societal structure is introduced as Tapenum describes each family member's duties and his own desire to become a respected member of his community. Relating the information from his perspective makes it accessible and personal for youngsters. If they do not read the back matter, however, they may not understand that Tapenum is a representative figure, not a real person, and that his experiences are based on conjecture, not fact. The book is successful in showing that kids are kids no matter where or when they live. Large, colorful photographs, taken at a re-created Indian homesite at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, add strong visual impact. The text and pictures both demonstrate good attention to detail. Endnotes explain that much of what is known about the Wampanoags comes from archaeological findings in the area. They also provide background information and explain how history is re-created at the homesite. A glossary gives definitions and pronunciations for Wampanoag words and names used in the story. The book is a companion volume to Sarah Morton's Day (1991) and Samuel Eaton's Day (1993, both Scholastic), which describe children's lives in a 17th-century Pilgrim settlement.?Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. Waters and Kendall, who showed the lives of Pilgrim children in Sarah Morton's Day (1989) and Samuel Eaton's Day (1993), offer a useful companion book, a study of a Wampanoag Indian boy in the 1620s. Clear, full-color photographs, taken at the Plimoth Plantation historical site in Massachusetts, make this an unusually vivid visual presentation of Native American life. In the fictionalized story, young Tapenum, disappointed that he has not yet been chosen to become a warrior, hunts for food, shoots a rabbit for his mother, and goes fishing with a companion. Later he befriends a wise man, who teaches him about making arrows and learning patience. The story seems a bit purposeful at times in its inclusion of information, but it does a good job of dramatizing what life might have been like for the Wampanoags, who are often studied in elementary school because of their connection with the Pilgrims. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590202375
• ISBN-13: 978-0590202374
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book !, November 13, 1998

By 

E. Stanclift "els4, book lover" (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy In Pilgrim Times (Hardcover)

We are big fans of Kate Waters' books about the Pilgrims (Samuel Eaton's Day, Sarah Morton's Day and On the Mayflower). When we discovered "Tapenum's Day", we were thrilled ! I found the 'point of view' from a young Native American boy to be both fascinating and educational, as did my children. We enjoyed seeing this historically accuate slice of life, written from a balanced perspective. I think this wonderful book rounds out the collection, including the other four, that no study of the Pilgrims should be without.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GREAT BOOK!, November 23, 2002

By 

"cutiephi00" (Brooklyn, Ny USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy In Pilgrim Times (Hardcover)

Another great book by Kate Waters. This book shows the daily life of a Native American child during the time of the Pilgrims. This book goes great with Sarah Morton's Day and Samuel Eaton's Day. Also, check out On the Mayflower also by Kate Waters.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great visuals for the young!, November 24, 2007

By 

kak (RI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy In Pilgrim Times (Hardcover)

There are only a few books specifically on the Wampanoag Indians suited for pre-K through elementary. While the text it a bit too much for a large group of children in the pre-K range (one on one would be excellent), the photos are great. Please check out Kate Waters other books which are excellent companions to the era: Sarah Morton's Day, Samuel Eaton's Day and the Mayflower.