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James Town #2
Poison in the Colony: James Town 1622
The fascinating companion title to the award-winning historical novel Blood on the River: James Town 1607.
After the colony of James Town is founded in 1607. After Captain John Smith establishes trade with the Native Americans. After Pocahontas befriends the colonists. After early settlers both thrive and die in this new world . . . a girl is born. Virginia.
Virginia Laydon, an infant at the end of Blood on the River, has now grown up in a colony that is teetering dangerously on the precipice of conflict with the native Algonquins. Virginia has the gift, or the curse, of the knowing-an ability that could help save the colony, and is equally likely to land her at the burning stake as an accused witch.
Virginia struggles to make sense of her own inner world against the backdrop of pivotal years in the Jamestown colony. The first representative governmentis established, the first enslaved Africans arrive, and the self-righteousness of the colony's leaders angers the Algonquin.
When Virginia's mother first learns of her gift, she is terrified. Kill it, her mother says, or they will kill you. When accusations and danger threaten, Virginia learns that she is on her own; her mother must protect her young sisters rather than stand up for her. So begins a journey of self-realization and increasing strength, as Virginia goes from being a self-protective young girl to someone who knows she must live her own truth even if it will be the end of her.
After the colony of James Town is founded in 1607. After Captain John Smith establishes trade with the Native Americans. After Pocahontas befriends the colonists. After early settlers both thrive and die in this new world . . . a girl is born. Virginia.
Virginia Laydon, an infant at the end of Blood on the River, has now grown up in a colony that is teetering dangerously on the precipice of conflict with the native Algonquins. Virginia has the gift, or the curse, of the knowing-an ability that could help save the colony, and is equally likely to land her at the burning stake as an accused witch.
Virginia struggles to make sense of her own inner world against the backdrop of pivotal years in the Jamestown colony. The first representative governmentis established, the first enslaved Africans arrive, and the self-righteousness of the colony's leaders angers the Algonquin.
When Virginia's mother first learns of her gift, she is terrified. Kill it, her mother says, or they will kill you. When accusations and danger threaten, Virginia learns that she is on her own; her mother must protect her young sisters rather than stand up for her. So begins a journey of self-realization and increasing strength, as Virginia goes from being a self-protective young girl to someone who knows she must live her own truth even if it will be the end of her.
Audio CD
Published March 26, 2019
94 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Elisa Carbone
16 books79 followersElisa Carbone was raised in Arlington, Virginia. She attended college at University of Maryland and also received two master’s degrees from University of Maryland, one in Speech Communication and the other in Education.
She now lives part time in the Washington D.C. area and part time in the mountains of West Virginia.
She now lives part time in the Washington D.C. area and part time in the mountains of West Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
April 12, 2020
Historical fiction is my favorite genre; nowadays, middle school historical fiction is usually very good. This novel, about Virginia Laydon, first child born in the colony of Virginia, is good story and gives an honest, realistic look at what life would have been like in early James Town.
Virginia & her family are "commoners" and "ancients" (meaning her parents came before the Starving Time). Book opens in 1613 with "Memories" of Virginia's early childhood, that includes Pocahontas, but most of the action is in the year of 1622, when the Powhatan try to push the English out of America.
Details of food, housing, travel, clothes all ring true and are interesting. The coming of the first slave ships, the ship loads of poor children used as indentured servants, the illnesses, hunger, and Native American life (as seen by colonists) all are part of the story. Good research by the author.
Story is moved along by Virginia's "second sight" or "knowing", which also puts her in danger of being accused of witchcraft.
Have been particularly interested in James Town after watching the BBC/PBS series last year. Enjoyed this.
Virginia & her family are "commoners" and "ancients" (meaning her parents came before the Starving Time). Book opens in 1613 with "Memories" of Virginia's early childhood, that includes Pocahontas, but most of the action is in the year of 1622, when the Powhatan try to push the English out of America.
Details of food, housing, travel, clothes all ring true and are interesting. The coming of the first slave ships, the ship loads of poor children used as indentured servants, the illnesses, hunger, and Native American life (as seen by colonists) all are part of the story. Good research by the author.
Story is moved along by Virginia's "second sight" or "knowing", which also puts her in danger of being accused of witchcraft.
Have been particularly interested in James Town after watching the BBC/PBS series last year. Enjoyed this.
October 11, 2025
This was very good, which short punchy chapters, a heroine that learns both to control and embrace her anger, and many historical details that I had never learned about James Town.
May 3, 2020
A magnificent sequel to the excellent Blood on the River, this novel may be the most effective use of accurate historical research in a children's historical fiction piece that I've read in years. For 4th and 5th grade teachers of Virginia Studies, in particular, Poison in the Colony accomplishes SO much in terms of historically accurate depictions of the Jamestown colony and inclusions of real people from history based on first person, primary sources:
- Exploding the myth of Pocohontas and John Rolfe falling in love, and providing a version of the history of Pocohontas from the Powhatan perspective
- Illustrating the unequal treatment of people under martial law in Jamestown before the first General Assembly in 1619
- Showing how life in the colony changed with the arrival of women and people from Africa
- Putting the massacre of 1622 in the context of the encroachment on Powhatan lands and the unjust murder of a Powhatan warrior
- Exposing the tensions among classes of colonists
In many ways, I think it's actually a superior novel to Blood on the River. The only element I did not enjoy, although it was central to the plot, was the fact that Virginia was gifted with supernatural "knowing" ability. Weaving the magical realism throughout what is otherwise such a historically accurate novel takes away from its feel of realistic depiction of the era. Young readers do love magical realism, however, and it's what kept the plot moving, so for most readers I think this would be a plus. I appreciate that this storyline opened up other opportunities for kids to learn about real-life accusations of witchcraft in Virginia history, such as the story of Grace Sherwood.
Highly, highly recommended!
- Exploding the myth of Pocohontas and John Rolfe falling in love, and providing a version of the history of Pocohontas from the Powhatan perspective
- Illustrating the unequal treatment of people under martial law in Jamestown before the first General Assembly in 1619
- Showing how life in the colony changed with the arrival of women and people from Africa
- Putting the massacre of 1622 in the context of the encroachment on Powhatan lands and the unjust murder of a Powhatan warrior
- Exposing the tensions among classes of colonists
In many ways, I think it's actually a superior novel to Blood on the River. The only element I did not enjoy, although it was central to the plot, was the fact that Virginia was gifted with supernatural "knowing" ability. Weaving the magical realism throughout what is otherwise such a historically accurate novel takes away from its feel of realistic depiction of the era. Young readers do love magical realism, however, and it's what kept the plot moving, so for most readers I think this would be a plus. I appreciate that this storyline opened up other opportunities for kids to learn about real-life accusations of witchcraft in Virginia history, such as the story of Grace Sherwood.
Highly, highly recommended!
May 26, 2021
I read it for school but we only made it about 3/4ths through it. Not a great loss. It was so religious and full of superstition I can't believe it was the sequel to Blood on the River, which was factual and true. And interesting unlike this book. Overall, would NOT reccomend
June 12, 2019
Poison in the Colony: Jamestown 1622 by Elisa Carbone, 297 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2019. $18.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (deaths mentioned, dogs hanged)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Virginia was the first baby born in the Jamestown colony. She was three when Pocahontas was taken prisoner by the settlers and six when the renamed Rebecca died on her only visit to England. While there has usually been peace with the natives and the settlers, but the policies of the ever-changing colonial governor and the arrogance of the noblemen towards their plantation slaves (criminals from England, indentured servants, and blacks purchased from slavers) are always creating tension. Virginia has always been able to keep her visions secret from everyone but her family, but what if she sees something that could affect the entire colony? Is that worth being hanged?
I think it always worth working hard with the Language Arts department or Social Studies department to make sure the historical fiction books in the library get used. The addition of Virginia’s gift make this a little more mystical than historical, but there is plenty of great history included. I liked learning more of the details of the colonists’ lives.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (deaths mentioned, dogs hanged)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Virginia was the first baby born in the Jamestown colony. She was three when Pocahontas was taken prisoner by the settlers and six when the renamed Rebecca died on her only visit to England. While there has usually been peace with the natives and the settlers, but the policies of the ever-changing colonial governor and the arrogance of the noblemen towards their plantation slaves (criminals from England, indentured servants, and blacks purchased from slavers) are always creating tension. Virginia has always been able to keep her visions secret from everyone but her family, but what if she sees something that could affect the entire colony? Is that worth being hanged?
I think it always worth working hard with the Language Arts department or Social Studies department to make sure the historical fiction books in the library get used. The addition of Virginia’s gift make this a little more mystical than historical, but there is plenty of great history included. I liked learning more of the details of the colonists’ lives.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 16, 2019
Excellent sequel to Blood on the River. I learned a lot about the later years of the Jamestown Colony that I had not heard before. I was pleased with the better rounded and more fair portrayal of the Native Americans. Highly recommended for grades 4 & up. You do not have to read Blood on the River first, but I think it would help.
June 18, 2024
Very good, although I thought there would be actual poison not metaphorical poison.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
First sentence: I am different. That is what Samuel says, and I believe he is right.
Premise/plot: Poison in the Colony is a companion book to Blood on the River. This book features Samuel, the main character in Blood on the River, but it is narrated by Virginia Laydon. Carbone has fictionalized the people of Jamestown and crafted a compelling historical coming of age novel.
Virginia Laydon was the first white child born in Virginia. Very little is actually actually known about her life and her personality. Carbone has given her Virginia the gift of "knowing" or second sight. She uses this ability carefully and wisely to help keep her family safe without raising suspicions from her neighbors. (Not always successfully.) She lives at a time when it took very, very little to be accused of witchcraft and killed.
The book focuses on Virginia's life and community. There is a time of peace with the native tribes--but will it last??? Can either really truly come to trust the other?
My thoughts: I enjoyed Blood on the River. I enjoyed this one too. As I mentioned though she uses real names from the records and other primary sources, all the characters have been fictionalized.
I would recommend to those that enjoy--adore--historical fiction. I would not necessarily place this one in the hands of reluctant readers or history haters.
Premise/plot: Poison in the Colony is a companion book to Blood on the River. This book features Samuel, the main character in Blood on the River, but it is narrated by Virginia Laydon. Carbone has fictionalized the people of Jamestown and crafted a compelling historical coming of age novel.
Virginia Laydon was the first white child born in Virginia. Very little is actually actually known about her life and her personality. Carbone has given her Virginia the gift of "knowing" or second sight. She uses this ability carefully and wisely to help keep her family safe without raising suspicions from her neighbors. (Not always successfully.) She lives at a time when it took very, very little to be accused of witchcraft and killed.
The book focuses on Virginia's life and community. There is a time of peace with the native tribes--but will it last??? Can either really truly come to trust the other?
My thoughts: I enjoyed Blood on the River. I enjoyed this one too. As I mentioned though she uses real names from the records and other primary sources, all the characters have been fictionalized.
I would recommend to those that enjoy--adore--historical fiction. I would not necessarily place this one in the hands of reluctant readers or history haters.
March 19, 2019
I took this one from an, "If I was a teacher who had to teach this time period and I needed to find an appropriate book for my elementary kids..." standpoint. Here is how I would use this book:
•The main character has "the knowing" and can sort of see the future. This adds a cool element to the book that will pull at some of the kids who like fantasy/magical realism
•There is a bully, and every book for this age group needs a good bully!
•I learned things I've NEVER heard about this time period, like how Spain sent slaves over to America and how land was "given" to the settlers (a.k.a. They took what was not theirs and did what they wanted. This is dealt with in a way that could lead to good discussion of "If you were one of the native peoples, how would you react if...)
•There is a relationship between one of the colonial men and one of the women who was brought over on the slave ship; it is a two-way street; she likes him, too. However, in more than one instance the author skillfully writes about how these women were ripped from their chosen families and essentially forced into a new life. It would spark good discussion, I think, for the age group.
•The main character has "the knowing" and can sort of see the future. This adds a cool element to the book that will pull at some of the kids who like fantasy/magical realism
•There is a bully, and every book for this age group needs a good bully!
•I learned things I've NEVER heard about this time period, like how Spain sent slaves over to America and how land was "given" to the settlers (a.k.a. They took what was not theirs and did what they wanted. This is dealt with in a way that could lead to good discussion of "If you were one of the native peoples, how would you react if...)
•There is a relationship between one of the colonial men and one of the women who was brought over on the slave ship; it is a two-way street; she likes him, too. However, in more than one instance the author skillfully writes about how these women were ripped from their chosen families and essentially forced into a new life. It would spark good discussion, I think, for the age group.
November 14, 2018
Virginia is the first child born in the colony of James Town and the enthralling protagonist of Carobone's latest book. in this sequel to Blood on the Water, Carbone doesn't shy away from the difficult issues of colonost invading native lands, or James Town's feuds between the classes. She does invite us to cheer for Virginia as she grows up trying to understand right and wrong and the work it takes to make sure right gets done. Virginia is not an easy girl and her sometimes turbulent coming of age carries us through the colony's own coming of age as it grows from a tiny group of people, to an outpost ready to expand to Elizabethtown.
But this is historical fiction, so what is real and what is fiction? Carbone's note at the end makes clear what she knows from the records and what she has made up. For a history buff, the Author's Note at the end is almost as exciting as the story that came before it.
But this is historical fiction, so what is real and what is fiction? Carbone's note at the end makes clear what she knows from the records and what she has made up. For a history buff, the Author's Note at the end is almost as exciting as the story that came before it.
January 13, 2020
Well written standalone YA novel (a sequel to Blood on the Water) about early colonial Jamestown, 1613-1622, told from the POV of Virginia Laydon, a real personage, the eldest daughter of John and Anne Burras Laydon, the first couple married in Virginia. Carbone does a nice job of detailing the major events of the time as a young girl would have seen them: Pocahontas kidnapping and later marriage to John Rolfe, the rise in tobacco production, the arrival of brides and first blacks, the growth and spread of the colony's population, the Massacre of 1622, etc. While some of the language and ideas sound a bit too modern, I liked that the author gave Virginia something she called "the knowing," enabling her to have brief visions into the future, a trait her grandmother also had, which had led to her being called out for witchcraft. A good, solidly researched story, complete with an author's note and sources consulted.
May 5, 2025
Virginia Laydon, an infant at the end of Blood on the River, has now grown up in a colony that is teetering dangerously on the precipice of conflict with the native Algonquins. Virginia has the gift, or the curse, of the knowing-an ability that could help save the colony, and is equally likely to land her at the burning stake as an accused witch.Virginia struggles to make sense of her own inner world against the backdrop of pivotal years in the Jamestown colony. The first representative governmentis established, the first enslaved Africans arrive, and the self-righteousness of the colony's leaders angers the Algonquin.
Probably not worth reading unless you have read the first book, just interesting to know what happens after the first founding of Jamestown. I liked the first book better
Probably not worth reading unless you have read the first book, just interesting to know what happens after the first founding of Jamestown. I liked the first book better
June 9, 2022
One hand has something, the other is empty, but when you play the game its supposed to be fun each time.
—
A spiritual sequel to: Blood on the River, Jamestown 1607
Virginia Laydon can see into the future, her family has been blessed with the sight, more or less, and she uses it to help others amidst turmoil in the colony.
This book doesn’t have high stakes or too dramatic of scenes. She gets accused of witchcraft but she manages to be free of charges since they are both kids. Native Americans attack as the climax, but her main area and friends survive.
It was a detailed and pleasant read, you really felt like a kid just trying to make sense of the world, but the lack of drama hindered the development of the story.
—
A spiritual sequel to: Blood on the River, Jamestown 1607
Virginia Laydon can see into the future, her family has been blessed with the sight, more or less, and she uses it to help others amidst turmoil in the colony.
This book doesn’t have high stakes or too dramatic of scenes. She gets accused of witchcraft but she manages to be free of charges since they are both kids. Native Americans attack as the climax, but her main area and friends survive.
It was a detailed and pleasant read, you really felt like a kid just trying to make sense of the world, but the lack of drama hindered the development of the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2024
Really well-written story. I moved through the story without thought of time; it just flowed from one event to another. The characters were vibrant with the added touch of second sight given to our protagonist, Virginia. According to the author, this novel represents a realistic view of daily life in the James Town Colony at the time. It makes me grateful for what I have today. I guess no time is perfect, but it's how you look at it. There's always something that you can be grateful for. In Virginia's case, it came down to her family and friends, God, and appreciating what was in front of her.
July 8, 2019
The story weaves the excitement and terror of living in Jamestowne. The strong desire to protect your family and friends from the dangers of the new world comes through so clear. The recent discoveries about the enslaved population was inter grated to make a more complete picture of life in the settlement. It was well done.
July 21, 2019
Spanning the life of Virginia Laydon, the first child born in James Town, from age three to fourteen, this historical fiction sequel to ‘Blood on the River’ contains characters from that book but can be read independently. I found it more choppy and jumpy from event to event than the first book, but it was a quick read with relative historical accuracy.
March 12, 2019
This was such an amazing book. It was overflowing with details. I loved every little part of Poison In The Colony.
I was very surprised with the part about Virginia having "the knowing". It was interesting and fun.
Thank you for this awesome book teachers!
I was very surprised with the part about Virginia having "the knowing". It was interesting and fun.
Thank you for this awesome book teachers!
December 11, 2020
Another great historical fiction book that I can share with my 5th graders as they study early days of American Colonization. A fair few of not just "white" perspectives but those of the Natives, too.
February 17, 2021
I loved this book! Incredible! I feel like I learned a lot, and it wasn't dry or boring. The characters are believable and realistic and I felt like I actually lived in Jamestown! The author has outdone herself again!!!
January 28, 2024
Definitely informative and includes many issues of the day, described in an enjoyable read about an intrepid young girl and the hazard-riddled life in Jamestown, who never loses hope despite all odds...
May 19, 2019
I really liked this book. It is a historical fiction and actually has some events that really happened included in the story. I love learning about history this way.
May 27, 2019
A worthy sequel to BLOOD ON THE RIVER!
June 24, 2019
Sequel to Blood on the River, which I had not read. It is not crucial to the story, but I want to go back and read about Sam Collier's journey. Great book! Loved it!
January 26, 2020
Another book I read to encourage my sone in his school projects that I found very enjoyable. Hopefully, this spring we can take a trip down to Jamestown again.
Want to read
February 6, 2020companion to Blood on the River....
due March 2020
due March 2020
November 9, 2020
WOW WHAT A VERY POWERFUL BOOK.
December 18, 2020
I loved the first book "Blood on the River" so i thought, why don't i read "Poison in the Colony."
April 24, 2021
Sequel to Blood on the River.
The story of Jamestown's early years as told through Virginia, the first child born in the colony.
The story of Jamestown's early years as told through Virginia, the first child born in the colony.
October 11, 2021
The audio was awesome! Read this with my ten year old son and he said it is one of his favorite stories. Cool to learn history, too.
January 11, 2023
I discovered I liked this book enough to seriously consider reading it's prequel, Blood on the River (despite the fact I'm far from being a history buff regarding that period of American history).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews