That's not history, that's just a made up story. Me: 'Well, I think a lot of it is that some adults think that the truth about English colonization will be too upsetting for kids, and they want people to learn a history that shows the founders of the United States always only the good guys, so that kids will be proud of our country.'

How come at school, like, literally everything they teach us about Thanksgiving is not true?' Absolutely smashing!' -Candace Fleming, award-winning authorĭon't miss History Smashers: Women's Right to Vote!Ībout 2/3 of the way through the book, my 7 year old turned to me and said, 'Mama. 'Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the legends of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving. And just wait until you learn the truth about Plymouth Rock. WRONG! It was months before the Pilgrims met any Wampanoag people, and nobody gave anybody corn that day.ĭid you know that the pilgrims didn't go straight from England to Plymouth? No, they made a stop along the way-and almost stayed forever! Did you know there was a second ship, called the Speedwell, that was too leaky to make the trip? No joke. In 1620, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock and made friends with Wampanoag people who gave them corn. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. I would have devoured them and developed a big appetite for even more of this sort of truth-telling.Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. I wish I could have read History Smashers when I was in elementary school. 'Informative and fun, eye-opening and entertaining. Absolutely smashing!' -Candace Fleming, award-wining author

'Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 'A history book for middle-graders that should be on everyone's (child and adult) to-read list.' - Shelf Awareness “Messner and Meconis provide a timely perspective on an important part of American history.” - School Library Journal 'Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts.' - Booklist 'The book’s format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers.' - New York Times Book Review 'Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children.' - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

History smashers