Subject
Virginia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
James Otis
Richard of Jamestown : a Story of the Virginia Colony
"Richard of Jamestown: A Story of the Virginia Colony" by James Otis is a historical account likely written in the late 19th century. This narrative aims to present the challenges and daily life of the early colonists in America, particularly through the eyes of a young boy named Richard Mutton, who embarks on an adventure to Virginia alongside famed explorer Captain John Smith. The opening of the story introduces us to Richard Mutton, an orphaned boy whose journey to the New World is spurred by his desire to escape a life of hardship in London. After his father's death, Richard learns of an opportunity to sail with Captain John Smith's expedition to Virginia. The narrative establishes Richard's youthful perspective and highlights his admiration for Captain Smith, detailing the difficulties of childhood in London and the sense of adventure that excites him about embarking on this treacherous journey. The account hints at the kind of hardships and adventures that await the protagonists as they face the unknown wilderness of Virginia.
Harriet A. (Harriet Anna) Cheever
Maid Sally
"Maid Sally" by Harriet A. Cheever is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a young girl named Sally Dukeen, who lives in poverty with a woman named Mistress Cory Ann Brace, who neither shows much kindness nor cruelty towards her. Sally's heart is filled with dreams of escaping her hard life and learning to read and write, spurred on by her imaginative nature and a fragment of a fairy tale she once heard. The opening of the book introduces readers to Sally as she is drawn to the enchanting world of Ingleside, a grand estate nearby, and to her struggles under the care of Mistress Brace. Sally's daydreams and fantasies intertwine with her stark reality, where she yearns for knowledge and the freedom to be a child. After she overhears a story about a fairy that allows children to drift off into a splendid dreamland, she is left longing for a similar escape. The first chapter captures Sally’s reluctance to return home and her desire to engage with a potential learning opportunity, setting the stage for her journey of growth and self-discovery.
Irene Elliott Benson
Campfire Girls' Lake Camp; or, Searching for New Adventures
"Campfire Girls' Lake Camp; or, Searching for New Adventures" by Irene Elliott Benson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the members of the Flamingo Camp Fire, a group of adventurous young girls who are eager to embark on a summer journey filled with mystery and excitement. The main characters include Katherine Crane and Hazel Edwards, who lead their friends in their quest to uncover secrets surrounding a young heir named Glen Irving, while encountering various humorous and thrilling situations along the way. At the start of the novel, Katherine gathers the girls to share exciting news, sparking discussions filled with playful banter as they prepare for a mission from Mrs. Hutchins, who seeks to ensure that her grandnephew Glen is being well cared for. The girls, all eager for adventure, vote unanimously to investigate Glen's living conditions while secretly camping near his caretakers, the Graham family. As their plans unfold, the campers are alerted to the presence of an attorney who may be watching their every move, adding tension to their mission and hinting at the challenges ahead.
Howard Pyle
The Story of Jack Ballister's Fortunes Being the narrative of the adventures of a young gentleman of good family, who was kidnapped in the year 1719 and carried to the plantations of the continent of Virginia, where he fell in with that famous pirate Captain Edward Teach, or Blackbeard; of his escape from the pirates and the rescue of a young lady from out their hands
"The Story of Jack Ballister's Fortunes" by Howard Pyle is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book follows the adventures of Jack Ballister, a young gentleman who, after being kidnapped in the year 1719, finds himself taken to the Virginia plantations. His story intricately weaves through encounters with notorious figures like the infamous pirate Blackbeard, as Jack navigates the challenges of his newfound life and seeks escape from piracy and bondage. At the start of the narrative, readers are introduced to the socio-economic context of early colonial Virginia, highlighting the labor shortages faced by plantation owners and the dubious practices of merchants like Hezekiah Tipton, who buys and sells indentured servants. The opening portions feature Jack Ballister, who lives under his miserly uncle's care after the death of his father. As Jack struggles with feelings of isolation and yearns for adventure, the inciting incident occurs when he is unexpectedly kidnapped by Captain Butts and forced aboard a ship bound for the Americas, setting the stage for a thrilling voyage filled with peril and self-discovery.
William Henry Giles Kingston
The Settlers: A Tale of Virginia
"The Settlers: A Tale of Virginia" by William Henry Giles Kingston is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around the early encounters of colonists in Virginia, focusing on well-known historical figures like Pocahontas amidst the backdrop of their adventurous and often perilous experiences. The story ultimately spotlights themes of exploration, survival, and the trials of establishing new settlements. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Captain Amyas Layton, whose home overlooks Plymouth Sound. Two young men, Vaughan and Gilbert Audley, arrive seeking the captain, revealing they are the sons of Layton's long-lost shipmate, Captain Vaughan Audley, who was believed to have perished in Virginia. As they share their father's story of survival among the Native Americans, Captain Layton expresses his willingness to help them embark on a journey to find their father, setting the stage for an expedition filled with hope and uncertainty. The opening establishes the strong themes of friendship, loyalty, and the determination to overcome challenges, as characters prepare for their significant voyage across the ocean.
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