• Blood on the River

  • James Town, 1607
  • By: Elisa Carbone
  • Narrated by: Bryan Kennedy
  • Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (253 ratings)

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Blood on the River  By  cover art

Blood on the River

By: Elisa Carbone
Narrated by: Bryan Kennedy
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Publisher's summary

Twelve-year-old Samuel Collier is a lowly commoner on the streets of London. So when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the Susan Constant, bound for the New World, he can’t believe his good fortune. He’s heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first contact with the native people, he realizes that the New World is nothing like he imagined. The lush Virginia shore where they establish the colony of James Town is both beautiful and forbidding, and it’s hard to know who’s a friend or foe. As he learns the language of the Algonquian Indians and observes Captain Smith’s wise diplomacy, Samuel begins to see that he can be whomever he wants to be in this new land.

©2006 Elisa Carbone (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Lively historical fiction at its best." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Samuel’s account of the voyage to Virginia, political intrigues among the settlers, and the harrowing first winter of the James Town settlement brings to life figures like Smith, Powhatan, and Pocahontas. Details about food and daily life add realism to the story, and quotes from historical sources begin each chapter." (School Library Journal)

What listeners say about Blood on the River

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

School Book

We listened to this book as it was suggested by the Sonlight Homeschool Curriculum. My kids are 10, 7 and 5. I was unsure if this would appeal to my kids, but they did enjoy listening to it and it really helped them understand what the Jamestown Settlement experience was like, more than any history book would have.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

I didnt realize this was a children's fiction book

My fault for not catching but this is not what I was looking for. It's a story from a child's point of view. oops. I tried anyway but couldn't do it

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

I listened this story about the struggles of the colonists in America with my 11-year old. It’s a story about how to succeed in the new world, the sad story of war with the native people, and finally one boy’s story of growing up. I studied economic history of that era, and this book reminded me many of the lessons.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Pretty good

At first I did not think I would like this book. I was required to blood on the river for summer reading. The first 3 chapters I wasn’t enjoying the book but once I kept reading I loved it. It was so real and I could imagine living in that period of time while listening to the book. It felt so real and it showed how different life was in that tile vs now. I would definitely read this book again!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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thanks, I learned a lot about Jamestown

I didn't know much about Jamestown. this was very helpful. the settlers went through a lot. this writer brought out the good and the bad. Captain John Smith was one tough dude.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

okay ¿

pretty good story! 💕💕 loved the storyline. it was very real and how it'd be in real life! if you like books like these then. you'd like it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Loved it wish it was longer Great A bit hard to wrap my head around but still very great it was very good story I loved it and the characters are awesome

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing Story for All Ages!!!

I loved the suspense and the survival story. It was interesting that the gentleman didn’t want to work one bit and the commoners did almost all the work. It was interesting to see what happened when Samuel was at one of the Native American tribes and how so much was different. This is one of the best books I have ever read! I am 11 years old.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great story on Audible

This was a great first book experience and this book interested me even being not a history fan but a great fictional story by Eli’s Carbone

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Nice book

Nice book
13 more words required so I’m just writing but it is a nice book

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