Filigree's Midnight Ride (At the Heels of History)

by Pam Berkman (Author) Claire Powell (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Join Filigree, a five-pound Pomeranian, as he stows away on Paul Revere's midnight ride in this first book of the At the Heels of History series, inspired by important events and told through the eyes, ears, and noses of dogs.

Filigree may be a small puff of a Pomeranian but he has a big, brave heart. As the Revere family dog, he's ready to do his part to help the American colonists stand up to the British soldiers. But the other dogs, like Jove, Sam Adams's Newfoundland, and even the Revere cat, Anvil, think Filigree is a joke. The Reveres' daughter Frances is the only one who believes in him.

When Frances's father, Paul Revere, leaves home on a secret mission, Filigree and Frances know they have to help, no matter how dangerous it might be. Will a pint-sized pup just be in the way, or can Filigree prove that even a very small dog can fight for freedom?

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School Library Journal

Gr 2-4--A Pomeranian named Filigree narrates the events surrounding Paul Revere's famous ride in this tale. Revere rescues Filigree after his previous owner, a Loyalist, is forced by her husband to leave Boston. He gives the dog to his daughter Frances hoping Filigree will aid in her recovery from an illness. Other dogs belonging to Patriots, the Reveres' cat, and a horse belittle Filigree because of his breed and his former Loyalist ties, yet he persists in demonstrating that he supports the Patriots. With spot-on pacing and levity, Berkman and Hearst engage readers and communicate the seriousness of Revere's mission. Powell's black-and-white illustrations convey the action from the text well, and the expressions she creates for both the animals and the humans provide additional humor. Filigree's character, though plucky from the beginning, struggles with his self-confidence. As Mr. Revere and the other Patriot dogs see his determination and ability, Filigree's confidence increases. Chapters are about 15 pages in length and use a large font with wide margins. The authors explain how their story and the historical account of Revere's ride differ and elaborate on their research process in an authors' note. They also include information about slavery during the colonial period. VERDICT This first in a new series is fun and accessible for readers who aren't quite ready for Alison Hart's "Dog Chronicles."--Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Pam Berkman
Pam Berkman has written books for grown-ups and At the Heels of History is her first series for kids. She loves writing about events in history and thinking about how they connect to things that are happening today. She also works as an editor. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and twin sons.

Dorothy Hearst is the author of the Wolf Chronicles trilogy. She loves writing about canine characters, birds, and other creatures who can give us the chance to see ourselves in new ways. She is an acquiring editor, a martial artist, a self-defense instructor-in-training, an avid hiker and reader, and a dog lover. She is not entirely domesticated, but is very food motivated.

Claire Powell is a bestselling children's book illustrator working in London. She started out designing for big-hitting television brands before an impromptu visit to a children's book exhibition led her down the path of illustration. Self-taught, Claire got her first book deal in 2016 and has never looked back.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781534433335
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication date
August 27, 2019
Series
At the Heels of History
BISAC categories
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV016120 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | United States - Colonial & Revolutionary Periods
Library of Congress categories
History
Dogs
United States
Families
Family life
Fathers and daughters
Massachusetts
Boston
Boston (Mass.)
Revolution, 1775-1783
Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
Revere, Paul
Pomeranian dog

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