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ljrinaldi's review
4.0
To make history relevant to children, and adults as well, it is important to bring in the personal. And what can be more personal than a pet baby goat. In this picture book, based on a true story of the Great Chicago Fire, we follow and boy and his pet goat as they have to escape the flames. Like the fire that burned San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake, this fire took out so much of the city that it left 100,000 without a home.
Fires can be scary, as it isn't so much the flames, but the smoke that kills you. And it is so destructive.
The story is very sweet. Not scary, but one of peril just the same.
Recommended as historical fiction based on fact. Apparently Justin wrote a letter to a friend about escaping the fire with his goat, so that much is fact, at least.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Fires can be scary, as it isn't so much the flames, but the smoke that kills you. And it is so destructive.
The story is very sweet. Not scary, but one of peril just the same.
Recommended as historical fiction based on fact. Apparently Justin wrote a letter to a friend about escaping the fire with his goat, so that much is fact, at least.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
harpea23's review
4.0
I received this ebook ARC from Netgalley.
I am passionate about primary sources and often forgotten stories from history. Fiery Night contains both very successfully. Sally M. Walker tells the story of Justin Butterfield and his family as they try to escape the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Justin refuses to leave his pet goat Willie behind and struggles to overcome the difficulties of dragging a goat through a crowd escaping a devastating fire. Walker's story is a snapshot in time, a peek into what it must have been like to flee from that horrible fire.
Kayla Harren's illustrations bring the fear that the citizens must have felt to life. Her use of the light from the fire helps to set the mood of the story and creates a sense of urgency for the reader. These illustrations create a depth that takes a small piece of history and makes it a reflection of a larger event. Both the story and the artwork place the reader in the midst of the fire. The use of primary sources including Justin's drawing of his family fleeing and photos of the aftermath which are placed at the end of the book are valuable resources.
I recommend this book for K-5 libraries and would include this story in lessons about the importance of primary sources as well as historical events.
I am passionate about primary sources and often forgotten stories from history. Fiery Night contains both very successfully. Sally M. Walker tells the story of Justin Butterfield and his family as they try to escape the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Justin refuses to leave his pet goat Willie behind and struggles to overcome the difficulties of dragging a goat through a crowd escaping a devastating fire. Walker's story is a snapshot in time, a peek into what it must have been like to flee from that horrible fire.
Kayla Harren's illustrations bring the fear that the citizens must have felt to life. Her use of the light from the fire helps to set the mood of the story and creates a sense of urgency for the reader. These illustrations create a depth that takes a small piece of history and makes it a reflection of a larger event. Both the story and the artwork place the reader in the midst of the fire. The use of primary sources including Justin's drawing of his family fleeing and photos of the aftermath which are placed at the end of the book are valuable resources.
I recommend this book for K-5 libraries and would include this story in lessons about the importance of primary sources as well as historical events.
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