Blood on the River: James Town, 1607

I know what you're thinking. This is going to be a boring book about indians. You think that this is going to be an extremely boring book that will not come to your liking. That's what I thought at first too. But believe me, this book will be like nothing you have ever read. Even if you don't like anything about history, the strengh of the characters and the emotions that you will experience in the book will make all of the reading worthwhile. I would also recommend this book to people who love a lot of action. Despite the sometimes sadness and sometimes happiness that you will experience, this book will make your heart beat hard with the action that is in it. The book is about the first settlers of James Town and Virgina. They need to survive harsh winters and hard attacks from the Powhatan indians nearby. That is what makes this book the most exciting. That is why this is a great book, and I think that many people would agree that this is one of the best books of all time.

I am reading this book aloud to my fourth grade class. All fourth graders in our state study Virginia History, and we just finished covering Jamestown. This book is bringing the story alive to them more than anything else has before... including a trip to the settlement site itself! They are begging for me to read everyday. This book is historically factual and absolutely riveting. It is a must have for adults and kids alike! Well done, Ms. Carbone!

Taking a long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean just to serve under the rule of Captain John Smith didn't exactly appeal to Samuel. Samuel is an orphan and about thirteen or fourteen. His Mother and Father died a couple years ago, and since then he's been living on the street. Unfortunately (To him) he ended up in an orphanage, and was recruited to be John Smith's page and to accompany him on the voyage to "The New World." Reverend Hunt, who ran the orphanage, and a fellow orphan Richard were also to go to The New World, with their own duties to take care of. This was a fabulous Historical Fiction book that can be enjoyed by girls or boys ages twelve and up. This book was full of fights and anger. Most of the men that were on the ship to the New World were gentlemen, and they hated to do work. John Smith was always getting into fights with them, one time it almost brought him to the gallows. Samuel was also always getting into fights. When his Mother died, he closed up his heart, and wouldn't open it to anyone. At the Orphanage, the other boys would always tease him about how he tried to steal his Mother's locket from the Pawn Shop, and he would always resolve it with a fist fight. Another incident, near the end of the book, a group of brand new settlers barged into the Indian's campground, burnt down their houses, and stole their belongings. This basically started the war between the Indians and the Settlers. First the Indians stopped trading with the settlers, and then they started killing them. This book was very sad and full of deaths. The first death was of a boy named James. This was near the beginning when Samuel was learning to open his heart to others, and make friends. James and Richard were best friends, and Samuel was working hard to become friends with them as well. One night, the Indians attacked and James ran out of the tent and for the boats, where he was immediately shot down, while Richard and Samuel hid under the mattress. Later on in the book, Reverend Hunt caught Malaria and died. The Reverend was the first one to help Samuel figure out that fighting doesn't solve anything and its better off to have friends. The last sad part, near the end, was when John Smith had to go back to England because of a severe burn on his entire leg. Smith had taught Samuel many things, but most of all he taught him to depend and trust people. Worst of all, Richard was to accompany Smith to England......Two friends lost at once. Finally, this book was surprising. One day, a ton of men left their houses, all with their fires still burning. Something caught fire in one house, and before they knew it, all the houses were burnt to the ground. Thankfully, the Indians gave them an entire, fresh supply of food, and warm blankets to sleep on. Chief Powhatan of the Powhatan Tribe had made the people of Jamestown part of his tribe, because they treated his fellow Tribes well, and traded fairly. King James decided to also make Chief Powhatan part of h

It was definitely a change for me to read a historical fiction book. I'm very glad I read Blood on the River even though it was a change to read historical fiction book it might have been my favorite book I've read. I always thought books with historical fiction would be boring, but it wasn't! This book had my favorite thing: action! Blood on the River was packed with adventure, with many cliffhangers, and surprises. For example one of the rich gentlemen tried to hang Captain John Smith for his so called, "treason to the king" at the end of the chapter. In this book I just wanted to keep reading more, to see what dilemma the main character Samuel would face next. This book was definitely a page-turner. I always connected with Samuel because he was so easy to relate to. I enjoyed this book and I think all readers would love this well written book by Elisa Carbone.

The importance and fun of historical fiction is the ability to "live" in another time and place and understand something about that point in history. As a librarian, I've purchased fiction and nonfiction books about Jamestown and I've provided educational videos on the topic. I have studied the settlement along with the kids through elementary, junior high and high school, blah-blah-blah. I have just finished Elisa Carbone's superb Blood on the River. NOW I get it. Other books have accurately and factually recounted the history of the James Town settlement but Carbone has brought it to life. Using real characters from the colony's registers, she has recreated a story that is an absolute page turner. We smell the stench of the ships and see the frost on the ground. The distrust between the English and the Wampanoag is palpable. The gnawing hunger, the "summer sickness" and the scent of wood fires is so strong, I felt like I was within the palisade walls. Young Samuel Collier is bound as a page to Captain John Smith on the eve of his departure for Virginia. Sam's fierce temper and survival sense will be his undoing and his salvation in the new land. The perils of the voyage at sea and the political turmoil that plagued the expedition from the onset are vividly described. The useless "gentlemen" resent the common sense of John Smith and his lack of respect for his "betters." Before they even arrive on Virginia's shores, the "gentlemen" have clapped Smith in irons and plan to hang him. Sam clearly sees the issues confronting the colony but as a servant he is powerless. His loyalty to Smith serves him well. Smith teaches him to fight with a sword and how to use a musket. He also arranges for Sam to stay with a friendly Indian tribe during the second winter so he can learn their language and survival skills instead of going hungry at the settlement. Sam revels in his time with the tribe, realizing their lifestyle is perfectly adapted to the harsh environment. He respects their traditions and their pride as a nation. It is with great reluctance that he returns to James Town when winter is over. The reader fumes along with Sam at the stupidity of the Virginia Company. Their reliance on old world ideas of "gentlemen" leaders dooms many settlers to death. It is only when John Smith is voted on, by the colonists, to become their president that the colony's fortunes take a turn for the better. The story of Pocahontas is part of the storyline. Carbone chooses a likely version of her rescue of John Smith and depicts her as the child she really was at the time. In the afterword, Carbone includes excellent notes and suggestions for additional reading. She describes her research which was fascinating to read on its own. "I asked teachers and librarians for suggestions. "What would you most like to see a new novel about?" I asked. The answer came over and over: Jamestown. I thought, "That old story? John Smith and Pocahontas AGAIN? Booooooring!"