Two Bad Pilgrims

Everybody knows about the Pilgrims-pious, sober voyagers who sought new lives in the New World. But two very bad Pilgrims have been largely forgotten by history, and they're ready to tell their story! Real-life boys Francis and Johnny Billington nearly blew up the Mayflower, got kidnapped by Indians, and wreaked havoc wherever they went.

Award-winning author Kathryn Lasky and illustrator John Manders reveal the lives of America's first troublemakers-as well as tons of fascinating Pilgrim facts-with kid-friendly humor and energetic comic book'style art in this irreverent book that is part history, part parody, and all comedy.

Everybody knows about the Pilgrims—pious, sober voyagers who sought new lives in the New World. But two very bad Pilgrims have been largely forgotten by history, and they're ready to tell their story! Real-life boys Francis and Johnny Billington nearly blew up the Mayflower, got kidnapped by Indians, and wreaked havoc wherever they went.

Award-winning author Kathryn Lasky and illustrator John Manders reveal the lives of America's first troublemakers—as well as tons of fascinating Pilgrim facts—with kid-friendly humor and energetic comic book—style art in this irreverent book that is part history, part parody, and all comedy.

Publishers Weekly

Not all Pilgrims were “goody-goodies,” explains narrator Standish Brewster, a professor of “Pilgrimology.” Case in point: Johnny and Francis Billington (“So we nearly blew up the Mayflower. It wasn't like we meant to!” the boys insist). Cartoon graphic novel–style panels depict the Pilgrims' arrival, as Brewster provides scholarly background and the boys interject in speech balloons, complaining about how boring the Mayflower was or objecting to the settlers' taking a kettle full of corn from the natives (“When we do it, they call it stealing. When they do it, they call it 'A Special Providence of God.' ”). The boys' comic hubris and the snappy format enliven a familiar history lesson. Ages 5–up. (Aug.)

Kathryn Lasky has written many fiction and nonfiction books for children, including the Newbery Honor book Sugaring Time. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

John Manders has illustrated more than 30 books, including Peter Spit a Seed at Sue (Viking). In 2006, the Pennsylvania School Librarian's Association named him an “Outstanding Illustrator/Author.” He lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.