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Surviving Jamestown: The Adventures of Young Sam Collier
A stirring story of survival set against the backdrop of the founding of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World.
In 1607, a year after the Virginia Company was granted a charter to establish a settlement in North America, 104 men set sail on a voyage to a new land. Among the brave adventurers who make the journey is a young boy named Samuel Collier, the page of Captain John Smith. Disease, famine, and continuing attacks by neighboring Algonquin Native Americans take a tremendous toll on the settlers. Samuel is one of the few to survive the harsh realities of the New World during the first few years of Jamestown.
Based on the author's careful research of the era, this fictional account portrays the struggles and successes of our country's earliest settlers. Young readers will enjoy this story of courage and survival while learning about this important period in the history of the United States.
In 1607, a year after the Virginia Company was granted a charter to establish a settlement in North America, 104 men set sail on a voyage to a new land. Among the brave adventurers who make the journey is a young boy named Samuel Collier, the page of Captain John Smith. Disease, famine, and continuing attacks by neighboring Algonquin Native Americans take a tremendous toll on the settlers. Samuel is one of the few to survive the harsh realities of the New World during the first few years of Jamestown.
Based on the author's careful research of the era, this fictional account portrays the struggles and successes of our country's earliest settlers. Young readers will enjoy this story of courage and survival while learning about this important period in the history of the United States.
198 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2001
16 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Gail Langer Karwoski
32 books19 followersGail Langer Karwoski writes historical novels and nonfiction for kids in grades 3-9, as well as “green” picture books. Curiosity inspires her choice of topics and research helps her books grow. Her titles have won lots of awards and are enjoyed in classrooms and libraries around the country.
Recently, she has added books for grownups to her bibliography. She wrote a memoir for two remarkable gay friends, who succeeded, against the odds, in getting married in 1971, decades before gay marriage was legal in the U.S. It’s called The Wedding Heard ‘Round the World; America’s First Gay Marriage.
She is now at work on a cozy mystery series that features a group of funny and energetic older women who paint watercolors. Book One of the Watercolor Mysteries is A Brush With Murder. Book two is Skeleton in the Art Closet. Reading them is like going on an adventure with delightful, quirky friends.
When she isn’t clicking away on her keyboard, you can find this former teacher visiting schools and libraries. Gail’s lively programs inspire kids to read, discover, and write. She often talks with book clubs and about her lighthearted mysteries. She lives near Athens, Georgia, with her university-professor husband and extroverted cat. Gail has 2 grownup daughters and the cutest grandchildren on Planet Earth.
Recently, she has added books for grownups to her bibliography. She wrote a memoir for two remarkable gay friends, who succeeded, against the odds, in getting married in 1971, decades before gay marriage was legal in the U.S. It’s called The Wedding Heard ‘Round the World; America’s First Gay Marriage.
She is now at work on a cozy mystery series that features a group of funny and energetic older women who paint watercolors. Book One of the Watercolor Mysteries is A Brush With Murder. Book two is Skeleton in the Art Closet. Reading them is like going on an adventure with delightful, quirky friends.
When she isn’t clicking away on her keyboard, you can find this former teacher visiting schools and libraries. Gail’s lively programs inspire kids to read, discover, and write. She often talks with book clubs and about her lighthearted mysteries. She lives near Athens, Georgia, with her university-professor husband and extroverted cat. Gail has 2 grownup daughters and the cutest grandchildren on Planet Earth.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 31, 2017
This is based off of some true characters that exited in history, but fictionalized.
Sam Collier is a young apprentice of John Smith. He goes on the voyage across the sea to the new world. This follows his time on the boat as well as the establishment of Jamestown. I will say what I did like about this book is that there were a lot of historical accuracy of what life was like for the people who first went here and how they (mis)treated the natives.
This is good for teenagers to read, but there are some gruesome and sad parts that might be wrong for young children. My sons were a bit bored by this whole story but as we got nearer to the end, they started to get more engaged. Overall, they weren't really thrilled and it was just an average story in my opinion too. The author did a great job with descriptions and setting the mood throughout though, so I appreciate that it wasn't just some kid-friendly story.
Sam Collier is a young apprentice of John Smith. He goes on the voyage across the sea to the new world. This follows his time on the boat as well as the establishment of Jamestown. I will say what I did like about this book is that there were a lot of historical accuracy of what life was like for the people who first went here and how they (mis)treated the natives.
This is good for teenagers to read, but there are some gruesome and sad parts that might be wrong for young children. My sons were a bit bored by this whole story but as we got nearer to the end, they started to get more engaged. Overall, they weren't really thrilled and it was just an average story in my opinion too. The author did a great job with descriptions and setting the mood throughout though, so I appreciate that it wasn't just some kid-friendly story.
November 10, 2017
I would definitely recommend this historical novel, particularly for ages 8-12. Karwoski carefully researched the topic and explained in the back of the book which elements were fictionalized. The main character, Sam Collier, was a boy who sailed to Jamestown as John Smith's page, but very little about him is known. Karwoski imagines him as an enthusiastic traveler who identified with and admired his master. Sam is brave but gets scared, he generally tends to trust the Indians and wants the colonists to deal fairly with them, and he questions things like dishonesty that he sees in colony leadership. All these elements make the book a great discussion opener.
June 24, 2022
Interesting read about Jamestown and the legendary John Smith. The book has been hailed as being thoroughly researched by the author. We used this book in our Dialectic homeschool history stories.
However when we later toured Jamestown, we were taught that Smith had a more negative reputation at Jamestown than this literature book for kids explained. So...???
However when we later toured Jamestown, we were taught that Smith had a more negative reputation at Jamestown than this literature book for kids explained. So...???
August 14, 2017
Good. Very historical.
October 29, 2020
Kid Review (9 year old boy): I liked the story and reading about how they lived.
January 2, 2025
Fun mix of fiction and non fiction!
January 30, 2013
Review: This is an excellent informative book which I have read to my class several years to prepare them for our field trip to historic Jamestown Settlement.
The adventure begins on board the Susan Constance while docked on the Thames River. She is one of three ships setting sail for the New World in the year 1606. Sam Collier is a twelve year old boy ready for an adventure. He is leaving his native England to be the page for John Smith, one of the original settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.
Sam faces incredible hardships during the voyage and first several years of the settlement. The reader is given significant insight into the conflicts and difficulties which plagued this first permanent settlement.
This book, an engaging adventure book which will appeal to upper elementary and middle school students, is well written and engaging while teaching history. After reading this book students will have a better understanding of the historic Jamestown time period and the bigger struggles which were a major part of the early colony.
The illustrations by Paul Casale are a pleasing addition to the story and enhance its value to younger readers. (rev. A.Freeman, Grade 6 teacher)
DISCLOSURE: Peachtree Publishers provided a complimentary review copy to facilitate our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
The adventure begins on board the Susan Constance while docked on the Thames River. She is one of three ships setting sail for the New World in the year 1606. Sam Collier is a twelve year old boy ready for an adventure. He is leaving his native England to be the page for John Smith, one of the original settlers of Jamestown, Virginia.
Sam faces incredible hardships during the voyage and first several years of the settlement. The reader is given significant insight into the conflicts and difficulties which plagued this first permanent settlement.
This book, an engaging adventure book which will appeal to upper elementary and middle school students, is well written and engaging while teaching history. After reading this book students will have a better understanding of the historic Jamestown time period and the bigger struggles which were a major part of the early colony.
The illustrations by Paul Casale are a pleasing addition to the story and enhance its value to younger readers. (rev. A.Freeman, Grade 6 teacher)
DISCLOSURE: Peachtree Publishers provided a complimentary review copy to facilitate our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
May 23, 2010
This book is well researched and well written. It is the best description I have ever encountered of the true-to-life experiences of the men who first settled Jamestown.
It is told from the perspective of James Collier, and 11 year old servant of John Smith.
I read it aloud to my children, and they enjoyed it very much. It has spawned much discussion in our household. I'm so glad we were able to get the historically accurate version instead of the kids relying on Disney's Pocohontas! (blech)
Be warned: There are some bloody & gruesome parts. After reading about one of the settlers who was tortured and then killed by the savages, my daughter informed me that the book should be classified as PG-13.
I'm okay with the descriptions, even though they got a bit graphic. I want my kids to understand how dangerous and REAL it was to those settlers. There is a reason why this book is called SURVIVING Jamestown.
My kids can't wait to visit Jamestown someday in person!
It is told from the perspective of James Collier, and 11 year old servant of John Smith.
I read it aloud to my children, and they enjoyed it very much. It has spawned much discussion in our household. I'm so glad we were able to get the historically accurate version instead of the kids relying on Disney's Pocohontas! (blech)
Be warned: There are some bloody & gruesome parts. After reading about one of the settlers who was tortured and then killed by the savages, my daughter informed me that the book should be classified as PG-13.
I'm okay with the descriptions, even though they got a bit graphic. I want my kids to understand how dangerous and REAL it was to those settlers. There is a reason why this book is called SURVIVING Jamestown.
My kids can't wait to visit Jamestown someday in person!
April 19, 2015
This historical novel gives a vivid description of what it was like to settle Jamestown. It was well-researched and made me want to read more about this settlement. It took a while to get interested in it, but then I really enjoyed it. Because a scene describing the torture of one of the settlers, I didn't know whether to categorize it as a children's book--which I think it was intended to be--or a young adult novel.
December 11, 2008
This book was definitely not for the same audience as Karwoski's book about Lewis & Clark (Seaman: the dog who....). The descriptions of torture and suffering were too graphic for my children (and I didn't find that they made the story any better). Overall, I couldn't recommend this book, it wasn't a good enough read even editing out the graphic descriptions.
April 24, 2013
I grew up in Virginia, went to college in Williamsburg, spent a lot of time learning about Jamestown - reading this was like being home again. Lots of action and adventure and definitely a good picture of what Jamestown may really have been like, without the Pocahontas fairy tale and with a more human Captain John Smith than I remember from the history books. Refreshing!
June 22, 2010
Hubby and I read this aloud to dd, and we all enjoyed it. It gives a nice sense of the Jamestown experience. One caveat...it is very plain about death and struggles with Native Americans, so it might upset sensitive kids.
July 18, 2012
It really is well written, except for the part about how your books should make people want to read them. I could only say I was glad to be reading this book in about two little spots. So this ranks above some books on the topic, but don't expect it to be the most interesting thing.
March 10, 2013
Jamestown was a book about never giving up THe reason is that is it never give up is because, the main character, Sam, never gives up even though there are many challenges. Key kept on going no matter what came, Sam overcame it. I liked the historical fiction theme of this book.
January 3, 2017
I read this out loud to my kids. While the writing wasn't wonderful, we did enjoy the learning about what life may have been like in Jamestown from the perspective of a 12-year old boy apprenticed to John Smith.
January 16, 2013
Read as part of our homeschool curriculum.
September 3, 2013
Nice overview of Jamestown from the perspective of John Smith's page.
May 28, 2016
A fun novelization of the story of John Smith and the founding of Jamestown colony.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews