The pagan origins of the Thanksgiving celebration can be traced back to ancient harvest festivals that were celebrated by various cultures around the world. These festivals were held to give thanks for a successful harvest and to appease the gods for future bountiful harvests. In ancient Greece, the festival of Thesmophoria was celebrated in honor of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and included feasts, processions, and offerings. Similarly, the Roman festival of Ceres, also dedicated to the goddess of agriculture, involved feasting, games, and the offering of fruits and grains. Even in ancient China, the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated to give thanks for the harvest and included the sharing of a special meal with family and friends. The Thanksgiving celebration as we know it today in the United States has its roots in the early 17th century when English pilgrims, who were influenced by their European traditions and customs, held a feast to give thanks for their first successful harvest in the New World.
The Thanksgiving celebration as we know it today in the United States has its roots in the early 17th century when English pilgrims, who were influenced by their European traditions and customs, held a feast to give thanks for their first successful harvest in the New World. This feast, known as the "First Thanksgiving," has been romanticized and is often associated with the peaceful coexistence between the pilgrims and the Native Americans. However, it is important to note that Thanksgiving did not become an official national holiday until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of "thanksgiving and praise" to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November.
The Curse on Spectacle Key (Paperback)
A sweetly spooky ghost story about a Cuban American boy who befriends a pair of spirits and tries to break the curse on his island home . . . only to discover a seemingly lost piece of his family’s history in the process. This new middle grade standalone mystery from the author of the Muse Squad series is perfect for fans of Doll Bones and The Girl and the Ghost!
Frank Fernandez’s family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves—a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they’re moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse—this time for good!—Frank is thrilled.
But Spectacle Key isn’t the perfect forever home they'd imagined. The lighthouse is falling apart. There are knocks on the door—but no one is there—and mysterious sighs and sniffles from nowhere. There’s even a creepy doll that seems to move on its own. Could Spectacle Key be haunted?
Then one day while exploring, Frank meets a girl in old-fashioned clothes, with no memory of who she is. What she does know, though, is that the island is under a curse—and she needs Frank’s help to figure out how to lift it. But what if learning the truth about Spectacle Key means losing the first real friend he’s ever had?
About the Author
Chantel Acevedo was born in Miami to Cuban parents. She is the acclaimed author of the Muse Squad middle grade series, as well as several adult novels, including The Distant Marvels, which was a finalist for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and she is also a professor of English at the University of Miami, where she directs the MFA program. Chantel lives with her personal Muse Squad, aka her family, in Florida. You can visit her online at www.chantelacevedo.com.
Praise For…
"The Curse on Spectacle Key masterfully blends its chills and thrills with healthy doses of humor and heart in a story about the value of friendship and family, and the need to remember our roots and learn from our mistakes.” — John David Anderson, critically acclaimed author of Riley’s Ghost and Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
"In The Curse on Spectacle Key, Frank’s move to a possibly-haunted lighthouse in the Florida Keys is a lucky thing for two maybe-ghosts, one de?nitely creepy doll, one lovable dog—and all the readers who are going to savor this book!” — Margaret Peterson Haddix, bestselling author of the Greystone Secrets series
"Supernatural mystery meets generational drama with hopeful endings for all." — Kirkus Reviews
"Acevedo achieves a remarkable amount of character development alongside a fast-paced and spooky mystery, all within a trim page count." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"A solid purchase to enhance popular middle grade horror collections. The balance of humor and horror should attract readers, and the lessons Frank learns are relevant to all." — School Library Journal
- Juvenile Fiction / Ghost Stories
- Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories
- Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
- Juvenile Fiction / People & Places / United States / Hispanic & Latino
- Juvenile Fiction / Family / Multigenerational
- Kobo eBook (September 6th, 2022): $14.99
- Hardcover (September 6th, 2022): $18.99
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"In The Curse on Spectacle Key, Frank's move to a possibly-haunted lighthouse in the Florida Keys is a lucky thing for two maybe-ghosts, one de?nitely creepy doll, one lovable dog--and all the readers who are going to savor this book!" -- Margaret Peterson Haddix, bestselling author of the Greystone Secrets series
Although Thanksgiving has become a deeply ingrained cultural tradition in the United States, its pagan origins remind us that the act of giving thanks and expressing gratitude for the bounties of life is a universal human practice that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. The Thanksgiving celebration serves as a reminder to appreciate the blessings in our lives and to come together with loved ones to share a meal and express gratitude..
Reviews for "From Pre-Christian Sacrifices to Family Gatherings: The Evolution of Thanksgiving"
- Emily - 1 star - The pagan origins of the Thanksgiving celebration is a complete fabrication and lacks any evidence to support its claims. The author presents a skewed interpretation of historical events and cherry-picks information to fit their narrative. It's disappointing that this book perpetuates misconceptions and misleads readers with false information.
- Mike - 2 stars - I was hoping to learn more about the true origins of Thanksgiving, but this book was a letdown. The author's argument is weak and lacks substantial evidence. They seem more focused on discrediting the holiday rather than providing a balanced perspective. I was left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with the book's content.
- Sarah - 1 star - I found "The pagan origins of the Thanksgiving celebration" to be a complete waste of time. The author makes baseless claims and fails to provide any legitimate sources or scholarly research to support their arguments. It seems like nothing more than a conspiracy theory in book form. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this book.