America's Real First Thanksgiving

When most Americans think of the first Thanksgiving, they think of the Pilgrims and the Indians in New England in 1621. But 56 years before they celebrated, Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez arrived on the coast of Florida and founded the first North American city, St. Augustine. On September 8, 1565, the Spanish and the native Timucua celebrated with a feast of Thanksgiving. The Spanish most likely offered cocido, a rich stew made with pork, and the Timucua may have brought wild turkey, venison, or even alligator, along with corn, beans, and squash. Learn about our real first Thanksgiving. Learn about Spain and Florida in the 1560s. And make your own cocido from a recipe provided in this important and groundbreaking book.

Robyn Gioia teaches full-time and has been active in children s literature since joining a group of writers during a three-year stay in England. She reviews children's books for the School Library Journal, is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and her middle-grade novel, Rinny and The Trail of Clues (by Robyn Leslie), has won several awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award for Best New Children's Voice.