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katherineme83's review
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
bookworm71's review
5.0
Read an ARC...great story for 4th grade and up studying the American Revolution...Tells of Sybil Ludington and her midnight ride to rouse her father's troops in the same manner of Paul Revere. #sybilludington #paulrevere #americanrevolution #strongwoman
norbert04's review
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
libraryjen's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
3.0
A quick read about the real-life Sybil Ludington, daughter of Patriot Colonel henry Ludington. She made a "midnight ride" like Paul Revere only it was 3 times as long, she was alone the entire time, and she didn't get caught! A true American Hero of the Revolutionary War. Sybil is obviously very impressive, the story itself was just okay. I almost gave up on it about 30 pages in, it just was not grabbing my attention. However, it turned out to be a fun story. If you enjoy historical fiction or middle grade adventure, give this one a try.
aanya12's review
5.0
This book in 3 words, ‘inspirational’, ‘magical’ and ‘powerful’!
The author wrote the book in such a heartfelt way, describing each detail that you can see and feel it, the way she describes the terror, it’s as if you are there around 250 years ago, reliving what the war hero Sybil Ludington might have lived on the famous night in which she saved the day ( or night xD).
The magical part has to be how the fireflies guide her, how Sybil believes in them is so touching!!!
And the book in itself which follows Sybil’s story is so inspirational, it shows that even in the 18th century when there were so close minded people, Girl Power still existed and girls are just as powerful (if not more as boys).
Like I am still speechless at how the author has described the story so well!!!!
My rating definitely 5 out of 5!!
The author wrote the book in such a heartfelt way, describing each detail that you can see and feel it, the way she describes the terror, it’s as if you are there around 250 years ago, reliving what the war hero Sybil Ludington might have lived on the famous night in which she saved the day ( or night xD).
The magical part has to be how the fireflies guide her, how Sybil believes in them is so touching!!!
And the book in itself which follows Sybil’s story is so inspirational, it shows that even in the 18th century when there were so close minded people, Girl Power still existed and girls are just as powerful (if not more as boys).
Like I am still speechless at how the author has described the story so well!!!!
My rating definitely 5 out of 5!!
kait22's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
4/5 stars
This is a fantastic middle grade historical fiction book about the Revolutionary War and the girl who rode farther than Paul Revere. The author does a great job of developing her characters as well as pacing the story. The book is a good length for this age group and there is enough action and suspense to keep kids/tweens interested. The author does a great job of making the main character easy to relate to as well as bringing historical figures to life. I highly recommend this for upper elementary/middle school.
4/5 stars
This is a fantastic middle grade historical fiction book about the Revolutionary War and the girl who rode farther than Paul Revere. The author does a great job of developing her characters as well as pacing the story. The book is a good length for this age group and there is enough action and suspense to keep kids/tweens interested. The author does a great job of making the main character easy to relate to as well as bringing historical figures to life. I highly recommend this for upper elementary/middle school.
sirah's review
4.0
As the oldest child in her family, Sybil has a lot of responsibility and very little time to herself. Torn between believing in her dreams, making her parents proud, following the rules, and ensuring none of her siblings eclipse her, Sybil finally finds something that can be her very own: a gentle horse she names Star. Amid all her other concerns, the American Revolutionary War brings new concerns. Since her father is a colonel and the leader of a spy ring, enemies are constantly threatening Sybil's family like wolves. Sybil's courage is sorely tested when the big night of her famous ride arrives and she proves that she was meant for great things.
Although we don't know much about the real Sybil Ludington, this book takes some fanciful liberties while still holding onto what facts have been preserved. Bits of adventure pepper the story, keeping everything swimming along, but the chapters are short and manageable, perfect for middle elementary readers. Admittedly, I wouldn't mind if I never read another historical fiction wherein the female protagonist complains that she isn't allowed to do something that boys are allowed to do, but other than that one personal pet peeve, I found this book an engaging and pleasant read.
Although we don't know much about the real Sybil Ludington, this book takes some fanciful liberties while still holding onto what facts have been preserved. Bits of adventure pepper the story, keeping everything swimming along, but the chapters are short and manageable, perfect for middle elementary readers. Admittedly, I wouldn't mind if I never read another historical fiction wherein the female protagonist complains that she isn't allowed to do something that boys are allowed to do, but other than that one personal pet peeve, I found this book an engaging and pleasant read.
arrrgh_schooling's review
3.0
I was excited to read a story about a girl hero of the Revolutionary War. There isn't a lot of information about Sybil Ludington, beyond that she rode to alert her father's militia on a ride that was twice as long as Paul Revere's. So the author had to do quite a lot to flesh out this story.
I felt that Sybil's age wasn't clear throughout the story - she is a teenager for most of the book, but she feels more like a 12-year-old in her speech and mannerisms. Also, this is more of a horse book than I was expecting and unfortunately, horses are not my thing. However, I bet that the horse element will really appeal to some middle-grade readers! I also really liked how Sybil and her sister helped their father run his spy ring. The coding was really interesting. It would be fun, while reading this story, to invent your own secret code and pass coded messages back and forth!
Overall, I think this would be a nice extra to add to your Revolutionary War studies, particularly if you have a child who loves horses!
I felt that Sybil's age wasn't clear throughout the story - she is a teenager for most of the book, but she feels more like a 12-year-old in her speech and mannerisms. Also, this is more of a horse book than I was expecting and unfortunately, horses are not my thing. However, I bet that the horse element will really appeal to some middle-grade readers! I also really liked how Sybil and her sister helped their father run his spy ring. The coding was really interesting. It would be fun, while reading this story, to invent your own secret code and pass coded messages back and forth!
Overall, I think this would be a nice extra to add to your Revolutionary War studies, particularly if you have a child who loves horses!
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