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.

This highly engaging fictionalized account of Sybil Ludington, a real-life American Revolutionary war hero that is not well known, was so fun to read. I found myself rooting for Sybil as she challenged the expectations of young girls in the 1770s. Even though I knew that her ride was successful, Jenni L. Walsh included great details that heightened the tension and made me want to cheer when Sybil succeeded. A fun read, and a book that I'll recommend to children interested in historical fiction.

A magical tale that captures the essence of life during the American Revolution. Sybil Ludington's story comes to life in this book filled with fantasy and excitement that will keep the reader engaged until the last minute.

Do you know who Sybil Ludington is? I'm an elementary teacher and I reading this book enlightened me to an important patriotic hero that just so happened to be a 16 year-old girl. I loved the author's decision to mix the fantastical element of a firefly-wish with the actual story of this momentous chapter our US history. You can bet that I will share this story with my guided readers. Thank you for sharing it with me!

I really enjoyed Jenni L. Walsh's other book (I am Defiance), so I was very excited to read this one. It was amazing. I loved that it was about Sybil Ludington (one of my favorite Revolutionary War heroines/heroes) and how it gave a rather accurate picture of life in the 18th century. The use of modern-day expressions was confusing at times, but 18th century language is a LOT different than today's and I understand that it's difficult to translate everything into period language.
By the Light of Fireflies also went into detail about Revolutionary War spy rings and their methods (such as invisible ink and codes), something I liked learning about. I wasn't aware of how spies sent information during the Revolution before this, so the coding scenes were interesting to me.
Sybil herself is a lively character, who is portrayed in a realistic way. The parts about everyday life really interested me.
Overall, I enjoyed the way Walsh intertwined facts with fiction to craft an entertaining historical novel. Hope to own the book someday!

Sybil Ludington is a brave, spunky girl living at the time of the Revolutionary War. Loyal to her family, and itching to do more than girls were allowed to do, she eagerly assists her father in his spying efforts. Walsh gives readers a vivid picture of life at that time. Passages that describe daily life, including farming, cooking, and cleaning, are descriptive enough to paint a picture for the reader, but also balanced with the action of the story, keeping the narrative moving at a good pace. This is a welcome addition for my classroom library, and I can see it added to Revolutionary War historical fiction units as well.

As someone who teaches fifth grade, this book will be a perfect addition to our social studies curriculum! American history is often dominated by white male voices so to add a female perspective is powerful. While I had heard of Sybil Ludington, this novel provided more information about her life and experiences weaving historical information into this narrative tale. I can't wait to purchase this book for my fellow fifth grade teachers to include in their American Revolution unit.

This book was received as an ARC from Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was a fantasy historical fiction novel that really had a new take on an historic point. This book will want to make young reader's learn about the history during the start of America and also at the same time maybe even fireflies. This story was so magical and I loved the fact that there is a female heroine encountering the acts of Paul Revere and accomplishing the tasks in the most magical way. I can definitely see this book becoming a potential candidate in future battle of the books. The children will definitely enjoy it.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

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.

I love historical fiction, especially stories set during the revolution, and this book captured my heart from the first page. Jenni Walsh did an amazing job of sharing the story of a young heroine. Walsh also seamlessly wove the magic of fireflies throughout. The story of Sybil Ludington is one to remember. A great addition to any classroom unit on the Revolutionary War.

I was very drawn into the setting of this Revolutionary War novel about a real-life heroine, skilled horsewoman, and loyal Patriot, Sybil Ludington. Her father is a spy for General
Washington and he allows his two oldest, daring daughters to translate coded messages to help in the war effort. Sybil also uses her horse, Star, to patrol the property each night. Later, after proving her bravery and usefulness in a family of 8 siblings, she warns her father’s men that the British have burned down a village and are en route. It was interesting to watch her mother seemingly want nothing to do with her daughters helping the cause when they could be doing farm chores and helping with less dangerous tasks, but later beam with pride at her daughters’ efforts. Historical fiction fans will enjoy this story.

Kudos to Jenni Walsh for introducing Sybil Ludington to middle school readers. Sybil, oldest child in a family of eight, knows she is capable of much more than societal norms of the day will allow. Her father works with General Washington to help win the Revolutionary War. Her family feeds and shelters those who need it. Sybil has always believed in the magic of fireflies, that they will come when she needs them most, and help lead her way. This is put to the test one night when a message must be quickly passed to many soldiers. Sybil is up for the job, and she sets out to ride to many villages to notify the soldiers.

Many are familiar with the midnight ride of Paul Revere - few know about Sybil Ludington's midnight ride. There have always been strong women and Sybil is no excepti

I really enjoyed this tale of Sybil Luddington dubbed by some the female Paul Revere. Reading that Sybil had done her ride alone, at 16, and not been caught was amazing. Why don't we know her by name in this country? Middle grade students will love hearing her tale and the ways her life probably mirrors their own. Sybil's journey as a character was well done!

This heroic story about Sybil Ludington, teenage Revolutionary War spy and heroine, will inspire readers to strive hard and work for the good of family and community. Portraying Sybil and her father as perhaps being ahead of their time, her father teaches her and her sister how to code and decode secret messages and ultimately entrusts her to ride out and muster her father's troops in the middle of the night, a ride she does alone and a distance three times that of Paul Revere. There is a feminist note to the story of the best kind, where the reader won't feel preached at, but will be lead to realize that even in Revolutionary War times there were young women who realized that they should be treated with equality and strive for a life of their choosing.

I liked this one and it's magical realism with the fireflies. I liked Sybil from the beginning and I loved how she was willing to fight for her country and her family. A good historical read for middle graders.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Who knew that a 16-year old girl made a daring midnight ride more difficult - and equally important - than the ride we all know about by Paul Revere? Sybil Ludington is an inspiration to brave girls everywhere who love their family, their country, and want to make a difference. I loved learning about someone I had no idea existed. This book was a delightful introduction to Sybil Ludington's life with a fairy-tale like bent. Not too long and with a character like Sybil, this book should capture the interest of even a more reluctant reader. And the magic of the fireflies is just the right touch for a MG reader. I'm looking forward to sharing this MG selection with my 4th and 5th grade students.

#NetGalley #ByTheLightofFireflies #historicalfiction

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I enjoyed learning about a historical event and person that I hadn't heard of before. It was a quick read, full of information but I truly enjoyed it.

Such a cute way for kids to read and maybe learn a little about the Revolutionary War! I loved the main character in this book. I think kids will really connect with her.

Sybil Ludington was a real hero of the American Revolution. She chafed at the restrictions keeping her from the freedoms and possibilities boys enjoyed, but when her father is charged by General Washington with establishing a spy ring, she and her sister learn to code and decipher secret messages.
At the age of sixteen, she embarks on a nighttime ride to muster her father’s troops, traveling 3 times the distance as Paul Revere and completing her ride alone. Riding through the night, she arrives home at dawn, exhausted, to find her ride was successful and her father’s regiment is surrounding her home. The author weaves magical fireflies into this historical fiction account; fireflies who guide and sustain Sybil at different points in the story.
This is an engaging story for middle grade readers and would make an excellent addition to a Revolutionary War curriculum.

I have long hoped for a historical fiction title about Sybil Luddington. The relationship that Sybil had with her horse was realistic. But, the amount of responsibility that she had on the farm and how she helped her father didn't feel historically accurate. I also didn't like the added fantasy element of the fireflies... I think Sybil is the type of character who had the courage and strength to take on these challenges herself.