I enjoyed this novel about Sybil Ludington, a real-life hero of the American Revolution. Sybil yearns for freedom to do things that boys do and struggles with jealousy toward her younger sister as many kids do, but she and her sister help their father, a colonel in the American army, by coding and deciphering secret messages. Ms. Walsh infuses her novel with details of life in the colonies at the time of the Revolution as well as common coming-of-age issues. Middle grade readers will be able to relate to some of Sybil's struggles while also learning about a historical time period. Thank you to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book. #ByTheLightOfFireflies #NetGalley

This book exceeded my expectations. At times, the Revolutionary War can feel like ancient times for my students (New Haven public school), and is not the most engaging topic. However, Sybil was a very engaging character! Sybil's father signs on to be a spy/go-between between the British and the colonists, and Sybil is forced to take on more responsibility in her family. While Sybil is very supportive of her family, she had her own dreams of being a cobbler, or a teacher, or a candle-maker, and was not enthused about dropping out of school.

While I do not plan to teach this text, I think it makes for an interesting read and I would encourage students interested in historical fiction to check it out!

I had the opportunity to read this while teaching the American Revolution with my 4th graders. I loved the way By the Light of the Fireflies weaves details from this historical event into this narrative tale. The persistence of Sybil to defy the odds and expectations of that time period is why Sybil’s tale of her midnight ride should be known by students everywhere. I really liked the way Jenni Walsh portrayed Sybil as a strong female character. It was fascinating to read about her involvement in her father’s secret spy ring and the description of the family dynamics in this time period. The description of the ride itself is action packed and will keep readers quickly turning the page to see what happens. In my 4th grade class, my students wanted to discuss why her story wasn’t as well known as Paul Revere’s tale. They felt her story was more significant.

We are eager for this book to release because we are including it in our historical fiction unit next year. It is a must read for fans of historical fiction and the American Revolution!

Sybil Ludington wants more than what is expected from girls her age. She and her family are navigating life during the American Revolution. Soon she finds herself helping her father in ways she never imagined! A great story about being brave and finding your way, even when you’re not sure where you will land.

This is the story of Sybil Ludington and her involvement with her father and sister in a spy ring during the American Revolution. Her father was a loyalist turned patriot who led a spy ring for George Washington. With the help of Sybil and her sister, Rebecca, they decoded secret messages to help win the war. Sybil looked up to Paul Revere for his midnight ride and then became in a position where she had to do the same thing. Great read for 4th grade and up and those studying the American Revolution.

Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC of this book.

A historical fiction spin on the true story of Sybil Ludington and her heroic ride, this book is the perfect tie in for classes studying the American Revolution.

Sybil Ludington lives on a farm with her family during the time of the Revolutionary War. Her father is recruited by General George Washington to start a spy ring to gather information about the activity of the Loyalists and British. Sybil helps decode messages sent to her father and patrols the grounds of her farm to keep an eye out for enemy activity. When a messenger comes to the farm to call the Ludington militia to action in Danbury. Mr. Ludington needs to stay and prepare his soldiers, so Sybil is left to make a forty mile ride on horse to alert the militia.

I really loved this book because Sybil Ludington's story has not been one that people traditionally learn about. The writing is historical fiction, but written in a way that middle grade readers can understand what's happening.

This story is set during the Revolutionary War and follows the story of Sybil Ludington and her family as they face the dangers of putting together a spy ring for George Washington. The story leads up to Sybil's 40-mile ride all through the night to muster up her father's militia against an attack from the British. I never heard of this "female Paul Revere" and became carried away with her courage. Thank you NetGalley and Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

This was really interesting. I had never heard of Sybil Ludington and her story was really fascinating to read about. I’m glad I got this little piece of history. Would definitely recommend to my students and purchase for my library. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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!!

A wonderful story about a little-known event in American history. I will share this story with my 5th grade students when teaching about the American Revolution.

This historical fiction middle-grade novel does a great job of sharing the untold story of a young, female hero and Patriot Sybil Ludington. Easy to read, engaging, and action-packed, this story would be a great classroom addition for grades 3 and up.

Sybil Ludington is my hometown heroine, so I am thrilled to see her story being told outside our little corner of New York. I'm looking forward to reading more!

Both the title and the illustration of the cover intrigued me. I always like trying to predict why a book is its particular title and how it relates to the story. This story did not disappoint. The fireflies play a very important role in the development of this story.

Sybil aches for adventure. She feels held back by her age. This will resonate with younger readers. Sybil is invited by her father to help in the revolutionary cause for freedom. The story moved with ease, kept my interest and became so intense that I could not stop reading!

I will purchase this novel for my 4th grade daughter, as well as using it in my own classroom.

Brilliant retelling of Sybil’s story. I promise that you will stand up and cheer Sybil on throughout her nighttime adventure and gasp at the twists and turns in this story.

Unbiased 😉 rating by the author to move off my shelf after checking formatting, etc.. But also a few words:

It was truly an honor to write this novel about Sybil Ludington, a little known Revolutionary War heroine. She's often known as the "female Paul Revere" but she rode twice as far, was half Paul Revere's age, and completed her own midnight ride all by herself. Mic drop.

This feat was so spectacular and unbelievable that some people believe her ride was nothing more than a story. But I believe that Sybil accomplished something magical, just like the Sybil in my story believes in the magic of fireflies, and that on April 26, 1777 she truly made a daring ride to warn of an attack by the British.

I also had the opportunity to expand on Sybil's story. She was more than the "female Paul Revere." Sybil was a spy (yes, for George Washington!), a sister (sooo many siblings), a daughter, a friend, and someone who broke the mold for young girls of her time. I hope you enjoy Sybil's story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Wow, what a suspenseful, adventure this book was! Sybil’s dad talks about the magic of fireflies, and Sybil finds fireflies helping her out when she least expected to see them, in her need to help her family during the Revolutionary War. Sybil becomes a heroine in many ways, and George Washington even thanks her for her heroism as a messenger for the Continental Army. This will make a great read aloud. Such a great book!

4.5 rounded up
This was a quick read. It was very informative and interesting. Never heard of Sybil Luddington before this. You go girl!

This book is going to be a big hit! Tells the little-known story of Sybil Ludington in a personal, engaging way. Perfect for 3rd-5th grade readers, especially those who shy away from lengthier books. Jenni Walsh tells the story masterfully!

Young readers are going to enjoy this story of Sybil Ludington, a spy during the Revolutionary War. Colonel Ludington, Sybil’s father, is part of George Washington’s spy ring and trains his two oldest daughters, Sybil and Rebecca, to decode and code secret messages. As the war progresses and threats to Patriots become more dire, Sybil takes on more of a role to keep the family safe by patrolling the family’s property. Fortunately, Sybil has her own horse, Star, and together they make a team as capable as Paul Revere. The ultimate test comes the night the British troops set fire to Danbury. Colonel Ludington’s men must be notified. Sybil and Star are the only ones available to make the dangerous ride, alone, in the dead of night, during a rain storm. Will they make it? Sybil has trained Star and has prepared for this Revere like mission. With the aid of fireflies helping to light her way, Sybil and Star complete their mission and her father’s men march on to Danbury. Readers will enter a world where a young girl and her horse play a role in the fight for independence teaching what it means to be “Sybil Strong.”

By the Light of Fireflies would be the perfect addition to my 4th grade classroom library. We do a large unit on the Revolutionary War, and this book is a great representation of women contributing to the war efforts. I read briefly about Sybil Ludington and watched an episode of Liberty's Kids featuring her, but this full length middle grade novel provides more details about her background leading up to her ride. I like how the author draws comparisons to Paul Revere and creates awareness about an individual who was just as heroic but not as known. I know my 4th graders, especially the girls, will love reading this historical fiction book set during the American Revolution.