[LM_NET] BOOK: ELEM/MID: Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone

[Toni Buzzeo <tonibuzzeo@TONIBUZZEO.COM>]

Dear Colleagues,

I nominated this one for the Maine Student Book Award list.  It's a 
fabulous piece of historical fiction!

Best,
Toni

Blood on the River: James Town 1607  by Elisa Carbone (Viking, 2006). ISBN: 
0670060607

For those of us who love historical fiction--and for those who serve 
teachers always eager for fiction to help deliver content--Blood on the 
River: James Town 1607 is a riveting read, steeped in enormous wells of 
primary and secondary source research and faithfully rendered.  Told as 
first person narrative delivered by the historical figure Samuel Collier, 
serving boy to Captain John Smith, the book relates a balanced story of the 
English settlers at James Town and the native populations they 
disrupted--and nearly destroyed--with their arrival.  Carbone is careful to 
paint the unease with which the two populations coexisted, the 
ever-shifting relationships among them, the causes for the unrest, and the 
turns of events, both political and social, that upset occasional hard-won 
peace.  Even more, the novel is a story of one boy's transformation, from 
angry orphan to compassionate friend, from servant to free citizen, from 
loner to valuable community member.  Young readers will learn historical 
lessons, reflect on the complexities of the clash of cultures, and identify 
with Samuel's struggles and ultimate triumph, all while they are fully 
engaged in a powerful story that must not be missed.  Share this 
exceptional novel with students and teachers after you read it 
yourself.  Better yet, buy more than one copy so no one need wait! 
[Suggested grades 4-8]


Toni Buzzeo, MA, MLIS <mailto:tonibuzzeo@tonibuzzeo.com>
Maine Library Media Specialist of the Year Emerita
Maine Association of School Libraries Board Member
Buxton, ME 04093
http://www.tonibuzzeo.com  

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------