People of the Breaking Day (Hardcover)

~ (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this companion volume to The Pilgrims of Plimoth , Sewall's gentle, often poetic text and impressionistic paintings present an intriguing portrait of the Wampanoags, the tribe that lived in southeastern Massachusetts when the first English settlers arrived. Described in the present tense, the daily routines and rituals of the tribe are brought to life for young readers. Similarly, Sewall's use of the first-person plural gives the narrative a sense of immediacy and authority. "We" alternately refers to the women, the men and the children of the tribe, enabling readers to hear the story from a variety of perspectives. The author weaves together information on many aspects of the Wampanoags' way of life, including legends, religious beliefs, wartime customs, trade with other Native American peoples and the roles of mothers, fathers and children within the family. Glossaries of English and Native American words make Sewall's account all the more accessible to children. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5 --With the scholarship and sensitivity she brought to her presentation of The Pilgrims of Plimoth (Atheneum, 1986), Sewall tells the story of The People of the Breaking Day , the Wampanoag nation of Southeastern Massachusetts before the English settlers arrived. Using a collective narrative voice, she tells readers of all aspects of life within the tribe and describes the place of each member within the close-knit society. Chock-full of details of hunting, farming, and survival skills, as well as recreational and spiritual activities, she uses the seasonal cycles and also generational cycles to create a colorful prose poem about these native people and their rich cultural heritage. Her vibrant, almost impressionistic paintings, set against a stunning backdrop of New England wilderness, capture the very essence of these proud, industrious people and introduce readers to their unique, harmonious relationship with the natural world. Informative and inspirational.
- Luann Toth, School Library Journal
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (September 30, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689314078
• ISBN-13: 978-0689314070
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #779,071 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars People of a Breaking Day, September 3, 2000

By	Celeste Davis "tedavis6" (Fairfield, CT United States) - See all my reviews

I used this book to introduce a unit on Native Americans to my fourth grade class. We were studying Thanksgiving from a Native American's perspective. We used the book later in the year when we were learning about Colonial America. The content is perfect for both areas. The illustrations are beautiful. My students enjoyed the book tremendously.