For the child curious about how the United States began, this book explores the challenges and daily life of the early Virginia Colony, offering a glimpse into a pivotal historical period.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is starting to learn about American history in school or asks questions about how the country began. "The Virginia Colony" provides a straightforward, factual account of the Jamestown settlement, covering the colonists' difficult journey, their challenging early years (including the 'Starving Time'), and their interactions with the Powhatan people. It explores themes of resilience and perseverance in the face of incredible hardship. Well-suited for early elementary students, this book uses clear language and illustrations to make a complex historical period accessible, serving as an excellent foundation for understanding America's colonial roots.
Depicts historical conflict with Native Americans and mentions the arrival of the first enslaved Africans.
Sensitive Topics
The book addresses several sensitive topics directly and factually. Death from starvation and disease is a major theme, particularly during the "Starving Time." The conflict between the English colonists and the Powhatan people is presented, including mentions of fighting and killing. The arrival of the first enslaved Africans is noted as a historical event, which requires significant parental context about the brutality and injustice of slavery. The approach is secular and historical, with a resolution that focuses on the colony's eventual survival and growth, which can overshadow the immense human cost to Indigenous and African people.
Ideal Reader
This book is for a 7 to 10-year-old who is a concrete thinker and is beginning a school unit on colonial America. It is perfect for the child who enjoys survival stories and is curious about the 'how' and 'why' of historical events. It also suits a young reader who prefers nonfiction and is ready for an account that includes some of the harsher realities of history.
Parent Prep
Parents should preview the sections on the "Starving Time" and the conflicts with the Powhatan. Most importantly, they must be prepared to discuss the introduction of slavery (often mentioned briefly on one of the last pages) and provide the crucial context about its injustice and long-term consequences that a 32-page book cannot fully cover. Explaining the European concept of land ownership versus the Indigenous view can also add important perspective. A parent might seek this book after their child comes home from school with questions from a history lesson, such as, "Why did the settlers and Native Americans fight?" or "Was it really hard to live back then?" It's also a good choice following a visit to a historical site like Jamestown or Plimoth Plantation.
Age Experience
A 7-year-old will likely focus on the tangible details of survival: the lack of food, building forts, and the figure of Pocahontas. A 10-year-old can better grasp the abstract concepts presented, such as the economic importance of tobacco, the formation of a representative government (the House of Burgesses), and the complex, shifting relationship between the colonists and the Powhatan.
What Makes It Special
Compared to narrative historical fiction, this book's strength is its clear, concise, and structured nonfiction format. As a Capstone publication, it is designed for the educational market with strong text features like a glossary, index, and bolded vocabulary words, making it an excellent resource for school projects and for children who prefer facts over story.
Read plot summary
This nonfiction chapter book provides a historical overview of the Virginia Colony's founding. It covers the English voyage, the establishment of Jamestown in 1607, the leadership of John Smith, and the early, difficult years known as the "Starving Time." The book details the colonists' interactions with the local Powhatan Confederacy, including the roles of Chief Powhatan and Pocahontas. It concludes by explaining how the cultivation of tobacco saved the colony economically and led to the creation of the House of Burgesses and the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in 1619.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The book talks about the 'Starving Time' as a major challenge. What choices did the colonists, like John Smith, make that helped some of them survive?
2
The relationship between the Powhatan people and the English settlers changed over time. Why do you think they helped the settlers at first, and what caused the relationship to become hostile?
3
Growing tobacco was called 'Virginia's gold.' How did this one plant completely change the future of the colony?
4
The book mentions that women and Africans arrived in the colony in 1619. How would their arrival change daily life and the community in Jamestown?
