Surviving Jamestown: The Adventures of Young Sam Collier
What’s inside...
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.
Age
8-12
Length
198 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Sam Collier
Pocahontas
Captain Christopher Newport
Captain John Smith
Master Edward Wingfield
Chief Powhatan
John Smith
Discussion points
What challenges did Sam Collier face in Jamestown and how did he overcome them?
How do you think the relationships Sam formed influenced his journey?
What would you have done differently if you were in Sam's situation?
How did the setting of Jamestown affect the events in the story?
What lessons can we learn from Sam's adventures and experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Sam's shoes to better understand his feelings and decisions. Ask them to relate personal experiences when they faced similar challenges or fears. Highlight the historical context of the story and discuss how living in that era would be different from today. Through these discussions, gently guide your child to appreciate the resilience and resourcefulness demonstrated by young Sam.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Sam Collier, the young protagonist, demonstrates resilience as he faces the challenges and dangers of settling in Jamestown. He encounters hardships but remains determined to survive and adapt.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere through their own challenges, whether it’s difficulties in school, social settings, or adapting to changes.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, Sam learns that working together with the other settlers is crucial for their survival. This includes building shelters, finding food, and making decisions as a group.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of cooperating and working with others to achieve common goals, helpful in collaborative projects in school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Sam and the other characters make several mistakes as they attempt to establish their settlement. These moments are pivotal, as they learn from these mistakes, which are essential for their growth and survival.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that making mistakes is a part of learning and growing. It’s important to learn from them to avoid repeating the same errors.
Example Lesson: Courage to explore the unknown
Explanation: Sam shows courage when exploring unknown territories and dealing with new cultures. His bravery in facing the unknown is a central theme.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be open to new experiences and face new challenges fearlessly, whether it's trying out a new activity or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Respect for different cultures
Explanation: As Sam interacts with the Native Americans, he learns about their culture and values, which highlights the theme of respect and understanding for different ways of life.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate diversity and foster an environment of respect and inclusion among their peers.