Riot in the Night

American Adventure #18

by Bonnie Hinman

History comes alive for eight-to-twelve year olds in this close-up, fun-to-read, multi-generational story of a fictional family spanning three centuries of actual historical events. God's hand is seen at work in people's lives and in the events that shaped our nation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical, School, Childrens

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[C]

My name is Louisa Lankford. My brother Henry and I don't like the way many people treat the black population of Cincinnati. In 1863, James Birney started an abolitionist newspaper in Cincinnati. Mobs began roaming the streets, setting fires and looking for Mr. Birney. They even ransacked the print shop where the newspaper was printed. Then we heard that our good friends Mrs. Jackson and Sarah were in danger from a mob which intended to burn down Little Africa, the black portion of Cincinnati. With some help from some other friends, we were able to get them out of their house in time to hide them from the mob.

[Daniel Gaul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most exciting book of the series, but a worthy note for the abolitionist press

[Marius B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Previously in the series: Cincinnati Epidemic (#17)

Set in the year 1836, Riot in the Night chronicles the continuing journey of the Allerton family,
-of their struggles with the ever present hateful attitude towards the African-American population of Cincinnati
-and with the decision of whether or not to fight for what they believe in at personal cost.

You follow the children of George Lankford - Henry (14) and Louisa (11-12) - who struggle with finding ways to fight against the hateful attitude towards the people in "Little Africa," Cincinnati, even when close friends and new acquaintances believe they should do otherwise.

Historical figures involved/mentioned in the story were physician Dr. Daniel Drake (mentioned) and abolitionist James Birney.

Next up in the series: Fight for Freedom (The American Adventure #19)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in Ohio in the early 1800's. Ohio is a free state (slavery is not allowed), but the states bordering the south of the state do. Historically, James Birney, who was strongly opposed to slavery, started printing "The Philanthropist", a newspaper in Cincinnati in 1836.

The fictional part of the story starts with Louisa going to the docks to see the "River Queen" even though she wasn't supposed to. In the story one of her friends has relatives from Georgia visiting. Louisa is upset when the girl from Georgia tells her to have "a darky" get something she forgot.