This title seems like a good one, but ultimately was not a good fit for my students. As an elementary school librarian, I feel this one reads a little too old for my students. I think it would make a great read for higher level students and those in middle or high school.

Another great middle grade historical fiction novel from Jenni. I really like how she champions the unsung feminine heroes too!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

Thank you Netgalley for the review copy of By the Light of Fireflies by Jenni L. Walsh. This was an imaginative look at a Sybil Ludington - female Paul Revere. I was unfamiliar with this story from the American Revolution until reading this book, and found it absolutely fascinating.

While Paul Revere was an adult working during the revolution, Sybil was sixteen years old when she rode to warn the soldiers of the advancement of the British troops. The accuracy of this tale is questioned by some scholars because it is quite an extraordinary story.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the American Revolution.

Sybil Ludington is a Revolutionary War heroine often referred to as the female Paul Revere, but her ride surpassed Revere's on many counts. She rode twice as far, by herself, at night, and in the rain from New York to Connecticut. How did this 16 year old young woman come to be in the position to execute this feat? At risk to the family, her father, Patriot Col. Henry Ludington, became a Loyalist Captain and spied on the British for the Gen. George Washington. His daughters Sybil and Rebecca, assisted their father by learning to decipher and code messages, as well as monitoring the British activity on the perimeter of their New York farm. These were unusual chores for a girls during the colonial period, and carried great risk, but as Sybil rode, the family's belief that magical fireflies and would help her in a time of need if she called for them to help, did not fail. This piece of history cloaked in adventure, portrayed through real people, and written in a readable manner, will ignite interest in history for the 3rd-6th grade student.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing for the digital arc.

As a teacher, I love using historical fiction with students. it provides a window into the past in a way that students can relate to. I read this book this past spring while my students were also involved in a unit reading historical fiction from the Colonial and Revolution periods of American history. I enjoyed this book, and one of my students also chose and enjoyed it. This is a well-written and engaging story of a lesser-known hero of the American Revolution. The main character was a multi-dimensional and non-stereotypical female with realistic dreams, emotions, and fears. I loved the inclusion of the fireflies mythology and how it wove throughout the story; this added a realistic yet fantastical element to the story. I will recommend this book to students when I repeat this unit in future years.

This is a true story based on Revolutionary War hero Sybil Ludington. Walsh reveals the honor and courage that she needed in order to help her family survive the threat of treason that lingered over their family's head by the British. At only the age of 16 she became a night-rider for the Colonists who were at risk of a British attack. Told with historical accuracy, this is an action-packed story that historians and fans of stories featuring brave women in history will appreciate.
As a social studies teacher I think that this book is an excellent support for middle grade readers who want to better understand what life was like during the Revolutionary War. Walsh weaves in the family dynamics and day-to-day life of the children and adolescents in a way that is engaging for young readers. This story also leaves much to be further researched by the reader. I would purchase this book for my school library and recommend it to social studies teachers to add to their classroom libraries.

A great historical fiction middle grade novel to teach about the rise of Sybil Ludington. Everyone knows about Paul Revere but not many know of Sybil, the brave girl who rose above fear to help the cause.

Jenni Walsh has recounted a fictional account of the life of Sybil Luddington, a young hero from the Revolutionary
War. Sybil and her sisters helped her father, a Patriot, decode and write letters to supporters of the revolution. Much like Paul Revere, Sybil makes a long ride on a dark night to rally the local militia. Young readers will enjoy the discussions of codes and invisible ink. I also liked how Walsh described the differences in expectations between boys and girls at this time in history. This would be a good addition to any upper elementary or middle school shelf. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I really really want to host a historical fiction roundtable for kids and this title would be one of my first picks. Set during the Revolutionary War, By the Light of FireFlies mixes magic and history all up in one captivating story.

This was an interesting book in that it captures the story of a little known heroine. For me, I didn't really like the fireflies - it took the book from being strictly historical fiction to a more nebulous fantasy. Her story is cool enough without adding a magical element. I was also a bit curious about how wide spread Paul Revere's ride was known until way later when Paul Revere's Ride was written - but I may be wrong on that. Overall a good book and my opinions and an adult being picky - students would not care as much.

I was a bit worried knowing this book was about the war, that it would be heavy and difficult to read. However, it couldn't have been further from this. It was a really well written, child-friendly book with a nice mix of true, factual information and fantasy. It was also great to read a book about war, where the main characters and heroines were female, beating some of the stereotypes. Even better to find out that it was based on a true story and the majority of characters were real people. It would be a fantastic book to read in schools, linked to learning about the war, particularly emphasising the roles that women have played historically which are often missed from the typical history books.

Loved this story and can’t wait to share with my niece! Jenni Walsh has a talent to reach readers of
Any age!

Sybil Ludington was a teenage Revolutionary War hero. Sometimes referred to as the "female Paul Revere." In Jenni L. Walsh's By the Light of Fireflies, we come to know Sybil's story in this Middle Grade/YA historical fiction novel.

When Sybil was a child, her father would tell her that fireflies were magical and would help her in a time of need if she called for them to help.
Sybil's father, Henry Ludington, is a Loyalist helping the Patriots spy on the British. As his workload grows, he enlists his daughters, Sybil and her sister Rebecca, to join him in his spy work. They work deciphering code written in invisible ink. These messages have important information about British troops and their locations and plans. As the British step up their plans to take control of the Colonies, the Ludington work also picks up.

One night, in the middle of the night, Henry asks his daughter to ride on her horse for 20-40 miles to warn the rural militias of impending British action and to be prepared for war. It's a dark night and Sybil is nervous, but she knows how important this is, so she calls for the fireflies to help light her way. But that old story is just an old myth, right?

I'll admit right now that my knowledge of Revolutionary War history doesn't extend much beyond whatever I learned in middle school and - no shock here - Sybil Ludington was never a part of that education.

I really liked reading Sybil's (and Henry's) story. Because of our middle school education, we tend to know how important the Revolutionary War was to the forming of our country. We know the names of George Washington and Paul Revere and maybe a few others, but there were SO many people who risked their lives by working against the British crown toward independence. Sybil's is probably just one of many stories that we could read about this great event. But that Sybil was a teenage girl makes this engaging and empowering to young readers.

The firefly aspect is cute and Walsh ties it in nicely, but it does feel just a little forced. The historical aspects of the story flow so nicely that Sybil's calling out to the fireflies for help near the end almost diminishes her own strength in the heroic act she performs.

Looking for a good book? By the Light of Fireflies by Jenni L. Walsh provides an empowering history lesson while thrilling young readers with action and spy intrigue.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

By the Light of the Fireflies is a fictional account of the "female Paul Revere," Sybil Ludington. She is hailed as riding twice as far and in the rain! There is some debate about whether the ride ever actually happened but this account is infused with a lot of history, a heavy dose of patriotism, and a little magic.

Older elementary and middle grades kids will enjoy this account of revolutionary war history and family life. Aside from the obvious educational value kids will love the spy craft, horses, and adventure!

As a Daughter of the American Revolution, I'm always intrigued by novels about the Revolution, especially those that focus on female patriots and heroines. Reading this in context with Why Longfellow Lied made a really interesting dialogue about truth and history intertwining, what lives on in the fables and tales we tell, and why we're so fascinated by this exact moment in history.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Most people in America know the name Paul Revere and his famous midnight ride to warn about the British. But a name that has been mostly lost to history is Sybil Ludington. Sybil made her own midnight ride in what is now Putnam County, NY to rally her father's troops and warn that the British were burning Danbury, CT. But she rode three times the distance that Revere did (about 40 miles), she rode by herself (Revere started his ride with two other people), and she was never caught (Revere was). Oh, and Sybil was just a young teenage girl. WHY do we not learn about her?! Her ride is much more impressive than Revere's.

Walsh's novel is historical fiction, imagining what the Ludington's life was like and what led up to Sybil making that midnight ride. This is a great middle grade novel to introduce readers to Sybil - and to also have a discussion about the limitations women faced during that time period (well and what limitations they experience now). There's a magical element with the fireflies and how Sybil finds Star, but that just adds to the story.

And check out that cover! It's gorgeous. I hope that novels like this encourage historians to do more research on the stories like Sybil's that have been partially lost to time so that we can learn more about them.

This is a sweet middle-grade historical fiction about Sybil Ludington during the American Revolutionary War. I enjoyed the fast plot, the addition of fireflies, and the dramatic climax. I think this book will be perfect in a lot of middle school classrooms.

I absolutely loved "I Am Defiance," so when I saw that Jenni L. Walsh had a new book, it was a must-read. Even with the high expectations, Walsh didn’t disappoint with "By the Light of Fireflies." It’s always great to read about unexpected things that occurred in history, especially when those who were typically thought less of or were given fewer opportunities were given a chance. Due to difficult circumstances, Sybil and her sister were not only given that chance but went above and beyond what I’m sure many expected of even those twice their age and male. Walsh makes the interesting story even more so with her beautiful writing. As with any historical fiction novel, we get to learn about history but in a way that tends to be so much more compelling than a standard history book, and the way Walsh brings the story to us, you feel engaged and emotionally invested in the life of the Ludingtons and the war. Enough good cannot be said about this book and it will definitely leave you wanting more. Those who enjoy an historical fiction novel will love "By the Light of Fireflies."

This was a very interesting take on the story of Sybil Ludington. The story of her bravery isn’t shared often enough, but I really enjoyed this tale of her home life. It took her from this person you hear about and turned her into a young lady with hopes and dreams. I liked the magic of the fireflies which I won’t say more about as to not spoil the story. The bonds of family were an integral art of the story, but it was done in an understated and organic way. I thoroughly enjoyed the internal & external struggles that were just enough for younger readers, but dramatic enough to engage older readers.

By the Light of Fireflies
A Novel of War Hero Sybil Ludington

by: Jenni L. Walsh
Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing
This is an intriguing story that shares history of the Revolutionary War, in a format intended for grades three through seven. Youngsters will love the story of Sybil Ludington and the legend of fireflies. The book is both entertaining and educational.
Thank you to Net Galley and Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing for the advance reader's copy and the opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
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