Keepunumuk
Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story
by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten
Charlesbridge Publishing 2022
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
Themes include Land stewardship
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Genre
Themes
- Indigenous perspectives
- Thanksgiving and harvest
- Reciprocity and gratitude
- Community and kinship
- Food sovereignty
- Land stewardship
- Cultural survival and resilience
- Oral tradition and storytelling
- History and re-examining myths
- Corn/Three Sisters
About this book
A contemporary Wampanoag framing story introduces children to Weeâchumun (corn) and the 1621 harvest gathering, centering the Wampanoag people’s role and teachings. Guided by elders and traditional knowledge, two Mashpee Wampanoag kids learn how corn helped the newcomers survive and why giving thanks is about reciprocity, community, and caring for the land. With Wampanoag language, notes, and back matter, this picture book reframes the "first Thanksgiving" from an Indigenous perspective.
Setting: Wampanoag homelands in present-day Massachusetts—1621 at Patuxet/Plymouth, framed by contemporary Mashpee Wampanoag community life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Keepunumuk right for my child?
Yes — Keepunumuk is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3.6, which is typical for 3rd grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include Indigenous perspectives, Thanksgiving and harvest, Reciprocity and gratitude.
How long does it take to read Keepunumuk?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, Keepunumuk takes around 8m to finish. The book has 1,049 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Keepunumuk have an AR quiz?
Yes — Keepunumuk has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Keepunumuk?
Keepunumuk has an AR reading level of 3.6, which places it at a 3rd grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.