This First Thanksgiving Day
by Laura Krauss Melmed
Tandem Library 2001
Great fit for 3rd grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- gratitude
- community
- cooperation
- harvest
- cultural exchange
- family
- celebration
- numbers and counting
About this book
This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story uses gentle, rhyming verse to count from one to ten as Pilgrim and Wampanoag families prepare for a harvest feast. Lush, detailed illustrations invite kids to linger and spot small surprises on every page while learning early history. It’s a cozy read‑aloud for the holiday that blends numbers practice with themes of community and gratitude. Perfect for preschool through early elementary listeners and beginning readers.
Setting: Plymouth Colony, New England, autumn 1621
Frequently Asked Questions
Is This First Thanksgiving Day right for my child?
Yes — This First Thanksgiving Day is a great fit for 3rd grade. The reading level is AR 3, 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 gratitude, community, cooperation.
How long does it take to read This First Thanksgiving Day?
At a typical 3rd grade reading pace, This First Thanksgiving Day takes around 3m to finish. The book has 450 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does This First Thanksgiving Day have an AR quiz?
Yes — This First Thanksgiving Day 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 This First Thanksgiving Day?
This First Thanksgiving Day has an AR reading level of 3, 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.