About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is grappling with questions about justice, survival, or the complexities of early American history. It is a gripping choice for a child who enjoys high-stakes mysteries and is ready to explore the darker, more realistic side of the Jamestowne colony beyond the simplified myths often taught in early elementary school. The story follows Virginia Laydon, a young girl born into a world of extreme hardship where trust is a luxury and survival is a daily battle. Through Virginia's eyes, readers witness the grit required to endure the Starving Time and the moral dilemmas of life in a frontier settlement. The emotional themes of resilience and bravery are front and center as Virginia navigates a community plagued by suspicion and internal threats. While the historical setting is meticulously researched, the focus remains on the human experience: how people treat one another when they are afraid and what it means to stand up for the truth when everyone else is looking for a scapegoat.
