What Really Happened in Jamestown?

It is the early 1600s, and twelve-year-old Samuel Collier has just become a page of Captain John Smith. He leaves his street urchin ways to sail across the sea. It is not an easy time. The journey is rough, and Samuel is determined to keep to himself. The fact that they are bound for the New World gives Samuel some hope because he has heard about the wonders that await him there. Unfortunately, once they arrive in the New World, he is in for a few surprises. The land is beautiful, but there are many gentlemen who want others to do the work while they sit back and get rich. There are natives who have different ways than the Englishmen. Captain Smith has a way of communicating with the native people that is very diplomatic. Samuel is impressed by what he sees and he realizes that working with other people is necessary to survive. When Captain Smith leaves the settlement will the good relations with the natives be maintained? What will become of Samuel in the New World? With all of the dangers everywhere he looks will Samuel be able to survive? You must read this book to find out how everything turns out!


Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone is a rich and intriguing historical fiction book about one of the first settlements in the New World. I liked seeing the way the story showed us what this new settlement meant for the native people and the settlers. This book really brought the scene to life and, after reading the author’s note, it was interesting to learn that the characters mentioned in the story are true to history. Anyone who enjoys reading about history will enjoy this book. It would be a challenging book for most kids that are younger than fifth grade, but if they are interested in the time period and they read it with an adult, they will probably be as fascinated as I was. Samuel really grew throughout the story and it was great to see the lessons he learned. With Thanksgiving coming up this month, this would be a wonderful read for people who are interested in seeing the start of our nation unfold before them. A book you will learn from this November!
Has anyone else read Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone? Or read another book by Elisa Carbone?

Happy Reading! ~ L


FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED