From the author of Speak and Fever, 1793, comes the never-before-told tale of Sarah Josepha Hale, the extraordinary "lady editor" who made Thanksgiving a national holiday!

Thanksgiving might have started with a jubilant feast on Plymouth's shore. But by the 1800s America's observance was waning. None of the presidents nor Congress sought to revive the holiday. And so one invincible "lady editor" name Sarah Hale took it upon herself to rewrite the recipe for Thanksgiving as we know it today. This is an inspirational, historical, all-out boisterous tale about perseverance and belief: In 1863 Hale's thirty-five years of petitioning and orations got Abraham Lincoln thinking. He signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation that very year, declaring it a national holiday. This story is a tribute to Hale, her fellow campaigners, and to the amendable government that affords citizens the power to make the world a better place!

Reading Group Guide

Thank You, Sarah

The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Illustrated by Matt Faulkner

Sarah Hale, a determined widow, magazine editor and author, wanted Thanksgiving declared a national holiday. She launched a letter writing campaign to presidents which lasted thirty-eight years until she finally persuaded Abraham Lincoln to recognize the day.

PREREADING DISCUSSION

Have readers discuss the difference between fiction and nonfiction. Then have them classify Thank You, Sarah, taking hints from the cover of the book.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Study the artwork on the cover of the book. What is the historical period?

Foreshadowing is a literary or art technique used to provide clues about something that might occur in the story later. Notice the quill and inkwell on the cover of the book, and the quill on the dedication page. Discuss what this foreshadows about Sarah. Find other examples of foreshadowing in the book. Hint: The bust on the pedestal on the fifth double-page spread.

Point out the first reference in the book to the way some families spend Thanksgiving today.

Sarah Hale is described as bold and brave and stubborn and smart. Why were these traits necessary for Sarah to win her battle to save Thanksgiving?

Discuss why Lincoln, more than the presidents before him, recognized the need to make Thanksgiving a national holiday.

Note the double-page spread at the end of the book. How many different religions and cultures are represented? Discuss the term “Melting Pot.” How does this illustration represent the concept that the United States is the Melting Pot of the world? What does the illustration reveal about freedom of religion?

How does Anderson use humor to reveal the conflict of the story and facts about Sarah? Faulkner reveals humor in various ways: exaggeration of character features and expressions, movement, line, bold sizes and shapes, and general content. Analyze the text for humor. Study each illustration, and point out the humor in each one.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

After her husband died, Sarah Hale took a job making hats to earn money to feed her family. Design a hat that Sarah might have made for Mary Todd Lincoln to wear on the first Thanksgiving after President Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

Read about Sarah on the following website: http://www.pilgrimhall.org/ThanksSarahJosepha.htm. Discuss how her observations as a reader helped her career as an editor. She said that she wanted to “promote the reputation of my own sex, and do something for my own country.” Ask students to prepare a memorial tribute to Sarah on the day that she died that states how she accomplished what she set out to do for her own sex, and her country.

Divide the class into small groups. Have them take a look at newspaper and magazine advertisements. Then ask them to write and illustrate a full-page advertisement for a Thanksgiving Day newspaper that pays tribute to Sarah Hale. Encourage them to explore different styles of illustration and writing.

Interpret the following quote by Edward Bulwer-Lytton: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” On the last page of the book, Anderson challenges readers to “Pick up your pen. Change the world.” Encourage readers to think about ways they would like to change the world. What is their passion? Have them write a letter to the editor of a local or national newspaper, a politician, or a school authority about an issue or concern. Make sure they explain the outcome they expect.

Families have different Thanksgiving traditions. Invite students to bring a favorite family Thanksgiving recipe to class. Make an illustrated Thanksgiving cookbook. Assign groups to write a brief history of Thanksgiving, a tribute to Sarah Hale, an explanation of Thanksgiving symbols and traditions, etc. Then ask students to write about a favorite family Thanksgiving tradition. Bind the book and present it to the library.

This reading group guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

About The Author

Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She’s twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the 2009 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X (previously known as Twitter) @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.

About The Illustrator

Matt Faulkner

Matt Faulkner is an acclaimed illustrator who has written and illustrated more than thirty books, including Gaijin: American Prisoner of War, which won the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association Literature Award. He is married to author and children’s librarian Kris Remenar. Visit him at MattFaulkner.com.

Product Details

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 1, 2002)
Length: 40 pages
ISBN13: 9780689847875
Ages: 5 - 8
Lexile ® AD600L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®