Midnight Rider

by Joan Hiatt Harlow

Fourteen-year-old Hannah is an orphan living with her cruel aunt Phoebe in Salem, Massachusetts. Hannah recently lost her mother, and now her only comfort is her horse, Promise. But when her money-hungry aunt sells the horse and then indentures Hannah to the Boston family of a British general, Hannah vows to retrieve Promise at all costs, and join the fight for freedom.

In Boston, as disagreements between the Whigs and the Tories run high and Americans prepare for revolution, not only does Hannah begin secret meetings with the Sons of Liberty disguised as a boy, but she is also reunited with Promise. Together with her beloved horse, Hannah takes a bold step to join the fight for freedom and sets off on a dangerous mission. Will she and Promise succeed?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, School, American Revolutionary War, Horses

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this 366 page book in one day, not only because I had a book report due by monday(2 days away) but mostly because it is one fo THE BEST books I have ever read. I spent that whole day and night with Hannah, riding with her to warn Salem that the british are coming on her beloved horse Promise. It's about a girl named Hannah Andrews who gets sent away to Boston to work for the Gages as a servant for seven years by her cruel Aunt Phoebe. Secretly, since she's working for a British Genral's family, she joins the fight for freedom disguised as a boy. I absolutly loved this book, and if you want a story that will just take your breath away, this is it!

[Jessica Vogt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in class, and loved it a lot more than I thought I would. It was creative and told an interesting point of view of that time. When we were reading this book in class, I'd always skip ahead. I just couldn't help it. I always wanted to know what would happen next. The historical facts are accurate, so it isn't confusing. I would recommend this to my friends.

[Sarah Nuamah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that got me obsessed with reading. Before I wasn't interested at all in books. The story line and writing really pulled me in and I had to force myself to stop for the night and to not bring it with me to the dinner table. In other words I really love the book and appreciate it for introducing the realm of book-magic to me.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fifth graders looooooooved this book! They would cry at the end of read aloud daily, "Just one more chapter!" It's also a title for Battle of the Books this year. I loved it too! Historical Fiction is the BEST!

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND THE SUMMER HOMEWORK ALOT...SO IM JUST GOING TO DO WHAT I DID FOR MY OTHER REVIEWS DURING THE 7TH GRADE.I LIKE THIS BOOK ALOT BECAUSE I LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR HISTORY IN AN EDUCATIONAL WAY AND THIS BOOK HAS IT ALL.YOU CAN TELL I LIKE IT ALOT BECAUSE I EVEN WROTE A ESSAY ON IT AND IM SURE ANYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK WILL LIKE IT TOO.THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A GIRL NAMED HANNAH I THINK[IT THAT WAS HER NAME:]THAT HAD A HORSE NAMED PROMISE,SHE LOVED THE HORSE DEARLY.IT WAS ALL SHE HAD AFTER HER PARENTS DIED AND SHE HAD TO STAY TO LIVE WITH HER AUNT PHOEEBE.HER AUNT SOLD HER HORSE TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND HANNAH IS SO HURT AND CARING TO HER HORSE THAT SHE DOESNT CARE WHAT SHE HAS TO DO,SO SHE GOES AT NIGHT IN THE WOODS OUT TO LOOK FOR HER HORSE.IN THIS ADVENTURE HANNAH TAKES SHE SUFFERS,LOVES,AND FINDS HAPPENINESS AFTER TRAGIC.I HOPE EVERYOONE WHO READS THIS BOOK ENJOYS IT AS MUCH AS I DID...YOU CAN FIND THIS BOOK IN MS.WOODARD'S HISTORICAL FICTION GROUP BOOKS.=]I MISS YOU MS.WOODARD...BYEMidnight Rider

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was growing up I LOVED historical fiction. Ann Rinaldi was my favorite author and I guzzled her books right up. As I grew up, I moved away from historical fiction, preferring to read historical nonfiction. Reading this book, while written at a lower reading level than Ann Rinaldi, tossed me right back to my youth, when I fell in love with history through fictional characters.

Hannah's family dies from small pox and she is sold as an indentured servant to work in the house of General Gage, right on the doorsteps of the Revolutionary War. Hannah has to decide where her loyalties lie and how far she'll go for what she believes.

The history is not added in very subtly. Awkward conversations are used to insert large descriptions of what is happening, historically speaking. I do think, though, that it's written appropriately for the age level.

I know it's not the best book ever, but I still enjoyed it and I'm excited to read it with my class.

[Ornellys siris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book from "The Historical Fiction Books" section and is such a beautiful story about Hannah a young girl and her horse Promise that face a dangerouse adventure to save their town out from danger.Hannah had to face lot's of unregconized faces first but soon she got used to them and her fears past off except General Gage the ganeral of the mansion where Hannah was sent to be a maid.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book ir really good and it is happening during the revolutionary war and its about a girl who gets send to work for a loyalist family called the "Gages" and i would recomend it to people who enjoy back in the day stories.

[Altheaa(: · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the revoloutionary war and how a girl named
"Hannah" is sent off to Boston by her rude aunt Pheobe.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is pretty good. I like historical fiction, so that might be why i liked it.

[Emily Cazarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Hiatt Harlow is an internationally acclaimed writer for children with many of her books receiving awards and distinctions by recognized reading associations. Some of her most acclaimed works include Star in the Storm, Secret of the Night of Ponies, and Thunder from the Sea. Harlow most frequently writes her books in a historical fiction setting where historical facts and fantasy overlap.

Her book The Midnight Rider is no exception to this type of writing as it is based around the American Revolution. Harlow does a wonderful job of extracting historical facts and using them to create interesting stories around her fictional characters. The title of this book perfectly encapsulates the relationship between Hannah (the protagonist) and her horse Promise. By highlighting and ever so slightly teasing the main turning point in the plot of the story.

The book starts off with a map that I often referred back to throughout the book to see just where the events were taking place. This adds an interactive element to the book that not many others possess. It is then broken up into chapters and totaling up to 384 pages, which makes this a quick and enjoyable read for people of all ages.

The main characters are:
Hannah (the protagonist)
Promise (her horse)
Will (her friend)

Together with other interesting characters, Hannah, Promise, and Will undertake the perilous journey of fighting for America during the tumultuous conflict between the Whigs and Tories. Going undercover, secrecy, and betrayal all form a part of this captivating story of a girl and her horse who played an integral part in the Revolutionary war. Through this mix of entangled emotions of loyalty, duty, and sacrifice, a brave girl emerged from the shadows as The Midnight Rider. This book has always been one of my favorites and as I grow older and return to reread it once more, I still hold the same opinion of it as when I first read it. Captivating, historically inclined but put in a way that makes you feel like you are riding alongside Hannah and Promise through the streets of Salem. I highly recommend this book for anyone of any age to read. Filled with captivating elements and emotions I can say with confidence that this book will be as facilitating to read for you as it was for me.

Publisher: McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Price: $7.99 paperback on Barnes and Noble

[Arielle Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Salem, 1775 14-year-old Hannah Andrews's mother dies of smallpox. With her death, Hannah is orphaned and her only joy is her horse Promise that father gave to her. However, that is all soon taken away when her cruel aunt Pheobe sells Promise. She discovers that she sold it to Will Samson who lived on a nearby farm and lets her ride Promise. However, even that happiness is soon destroyed by Pheobe when she also sells Hannah into indentured servitude of General Gage who is the general of the British Army and mayor of the colonies. Once she arrives in Boston at the Province House Hannah is quickly sucked into the conflict that is arising between the Whigs and Tories. She makes friends with the General's stable boy Caleb. Through Caleb, Hannah meets influential characters of the American Revolution and as she lives in the Generals house overhears many plans that she can share with the rebels. Deep into the spirit of the revolution, Hannah takes great risks to help her newfound friends, the revolution, and her hometown.

I wanted to do a summary of each character but it is really hard to do without giving away a lot of what happens in the book. However, all of the characters have a lot of depth and you get attached to most of them pretty quickly and experiencing their growth as people and watching their beliefs solidify is wonderful.

This book is fascinating in the way that it makes history really interesting and fun but also tears out your heartstrings. While the violence is not as graphic as it could have been, Harlow does her best to stay true to the events that actually happened during the revolution. I think that this is definitely one of the books that can be handed to young readers if they are expressing a great amount of animosity towards history. I know I have never really liked history as it never really stuck in my head but after reading this a little bit ago I can actually remember a few important dates. Especially in the realm of teaching this book provides another way for a student to learn.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, it's a good book.

Hannah Andrews, an orphaned Puritan girl, gets shipped off to Boston - courtesy, her evil aunt. She is an indentured servant to the Thomas Gage household. (General Gage, ring a bell?)

Oh yes. She has a horse. And she loves her horse. Her horse loves her. It's all hunky dory and a bit cheesy, as girls + horse = forever love and whatnot. You know what I mean? It's overdone. (Not to say I don't like horses - I do. I just don't appreciate how the girl is always like "I love my horse! I would die for my horse! No! Don't take my horse away! Ahhh!" Just me? K.)

Okay, that aside, I liked how the book displayed the war in the eyes of a British household (although Hannah, herself, is not a British sympathizer). There were many interesting facts in the book, that I didn't know. I enjoyed the book even though I'm *gasp* a whole two years older than the Hannah Andrews.

The things I did not like about the book were: *SPOILER ALERT*

1. She was unnecessarily reckless. I mean, riding your horse even though the streets are swarming with British men, and they're all looking for you and your horse? Is the horse an addiction or something? DO YOU NOT HAVE SELF CONTROL IN THE MIDST OF DEATH?

2. She kissed Will. For being such a stickler about not receiving a Christmas present from Meg, she let her standards FLY out the window when it came to kissing. With a Puritan background, she would never have done so. I understand why the author would do that, but I don't think it matches her earlier convictions of not wanting a Christmas present. It makes her seem hypocritical.

These are just my personal opinions, and yes, I would recommend reading the book, but don't expect the consistency of a superbly written book.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

*SPOILERS*

When I first started this book, I wasn't that excited to read it. I had had this book since I ordered it from a Scholastic book order when I was in first grade and had been putting off reading it ever since.

This book is about a young girl named Hannah, who is living in 1775 Massachusetts. Hannah is horrified when she discovers once she recovered from the pox that her Aunt Pheobe had sold her beloved horse, Promise. However, one day she sees a boy riding a horse that looks exactly like Promise. Hannah stops the kid, and she learns that the horse is Promise and the boy, Will, is the new owner. The two instantly become best friends. When she is indentured for seven years to General Gage by her Loyalist aunt, she begrudgingly goes to live in Boston to serve his family at the Province House and leaves Will and Promise behind in Salem. There, she works under the strict Ms. Lydia and befriends another servant named Catherine. Hannah is given to Meg, the daughter of a friend of the Gages. She becomes her chambermaid and eventually her best friend she will ever have. Hannah also becomes friends with Caleb, the stable hand. At this time, there is a lot of tension between the Tories and Whigs (Loyalists and Rebels). After all, 1775 is the year before the American Revolution started. One night, Caleb and Hannah (dressed as a boy, a.k.a Cousin Hans) sneak out of the Province House to go to a gathering of the Sons of Liberty (the rebels). Cousin Hans eventually meets Paul Revere and other prominent members of the Sons of Liberty. Also, she does meet Will in Boston again and discovers that Promise is in Boston as well. As a servant, Hannah hears many things such as the General's plans and gossip. She takes this news to Paul Revere so that he can beat out the British by being ready for their ideas. Also, when she goes out at night, she often rides Promise around the town. Hannah plays some tricks on the British several times, which makes her wanted. Her trickery awarded her the nickname Midnight Rider; although, it becomes more and more dangerous to be the Midnight Rider and she eventually stops. Not to mention, there is a traitor in the midst of the Sons of Liberty. However, no one knows who it is. One day, Hannah hears an especially important piece of information that she knows she immediately needs to tell Paul Revere (some British troops were planning to take the people of Salem's arms from them like they did to the other cities). She tells Mr. Revere that the attack would happen on Sunday, however, Dr. Warren said it was on Saturday. He rides off to warn the Salemites but it was a trap, and he got arrested. Hannah knew what she had to do. She took Promise and traveled to Salem in a snow storm. On the way, Promise gets hurt because he slipped on the ice. When she arrived in Salem, she stormed into a church service and warned all of the citizens the British were going to take their arms. Hannah had to reveal her true identity for the Salemites to believe her. The people secured their weapons safely away before the British came. There was almost a battle when the British came, but both parties agreed to a compromise. When Hannah returned to Boston, General Gage accused Will of being the Midnight Rider. Hannah saved Will by admitting to the general that she was the Midnight Rider. General Gage didn't believe her until she tamed and mounted Gabriel, a horse that only the general had been able to ride. Although Hannah and Will could have been killed, General Gage spared them and banished them from Boston. The two travel back to Salem, where eventually Promise is healed and survives. Hannah receives a letter from Catherine telling her that Caleb died fighting in the war that has begun. The book ends with Hannah and Will living happily in Salem again.

One thing I disliked about this book is that I felt that the author told me exactly what was happening. For example, on page 208 the author wrote, "Catherine and Hannah sat near the back of the church with the other women. The front pews and balconies were filled with men who spoke loudly with another until a hymn brought solemnity to the gathering." This part isn't terrible, but it doesn't leave me much room to imagine what is going on. The women sit in the back, and the men are talking in the front. I dislike the author's style of writing because she is telling exactly what to picture. In other words, she tells and doesn't show.

Also, I found the main character, Hannah, to be annoying at times. She annoyed me because she wouldn't stop talking and thinking about Promise. To me, it seemed like all she cared about was her horse. Not to mention, she makes really bad decisions that are annoyingly stupid.
This is what I feel like goes through Hannah's mind:
- Let me mess with the British soldiers because they won't get mad and try to catch me
- I'm wanted and known for riding my black horse ... I'm gonna ride my ride my horse now
- I need to deliver an important message to Paul Revere, let me ride my horse there because no one is going to catch me even though I'm wanted.
First of all, she stated in the book that Mr. Revere's house was not that far so the Province House. She even said that she could walk to his house, but then she decides to ride Promise there. Her very poor decision making that makes you want to slap Hannah and go "What are you doing? Why do you make so many stupid decisions?" Additionally, people warned her not to go out on her horse but nope, she still goes. WHY DOESN'T SHE UNDERSTAND THAT SHE IS JEOPARDIZING HERSELF SO MUCH BY RIDING HER STUPID HORSE AROUND BOSTON WHEN EVERYONE IS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE MIDNIGHT RIDER AND SHE IS WANTED BY THE LOYALISTS. She must not realize that she could be killed if she was caught. I wish the author would have made Hannah wiser.

This book got two stars for a reason. It was okay. I didn't hate it, but I disliked it. There were some good aspects of this book. However, they were mostly overpowered by bad. I was somewhat pulled in because I did want to keep reading at some points but I was repeatedly disappointed. I would recommend this book to advanced elementary readers, people who enjoy stories about the American Revolution, and horse lovers. Midnight Rider is NOT for advanced readers, who would be annoyed by this book's bluntness. All in all, this book was okay, but I disliked many aspects.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a servant, freedom is all you could ever wish for. Midnight Rider by Joan Hiatt Harlow is a story back in 1775. This is a story with the conflict of Hannah vs. General. This story is engaging throughout the book. For Example, one part of the story, Hannah the main character, overhears many conversations about things that the General is going to do by surprise and must go out at night with her horse Promise to warn people. Another part of the story is where Hannah must warn Salem about an attack they didn’t even know about! She grabs Promise and goes on a journey through the cold winds of winter trying to get there in time. This shows that Hannah cares for the place she was born in and is willing to do anything to save anyone from danger. Over all I think that this story is a great story to read whenever because it is never boing and always has action.

[Featherpen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the way Harlow incorporates and portrays the events leading up to the Revolution (even more so after reading her historical notes at the end). I think she did a great job incorporating what might be a mundane subject for kids into an exciting story.

That being said, the writing itself fell a little flat for me. Sometimes it flowed nicely, while other times it felt stunted. Also, while I liked pretty much every other character, Hannah drove me nuts. She's so snarky and disrespectful, and all she seems to care about is her horse. (That imitating voices thing? I get that it needs to be established that she can do voices so she can do Hans' voice, but still.)

Nonetheless, it's still a fun read. The fifth graders who were reading it were super engaged, and I would totally read it aloud to a class again.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always associate this book with my childhood.
I was probably 11 or 12 when I read this book for the first time and I absolutely ate. it. up. I was really into spy stories, and the Revolutionary War, and adventure so this was right up my alley. I loved it so much and I reread it countless times over the years. I hope to be able to place it in the hands of my own child someday and watch them be swept away by this fantastic tale.
Highly recommend to young readers (10-16), but honestly, even an adult looking for a light adventure would enjoy this book. It's awesome no matter how old or young you are.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my children. It covers many of the same notes as "Johnny Tremain" and isn't nearly as good, but it's still good historical fiction for children; it brings alive the tensions existing in colonial New England right before the war began. A few things were odd. The main character is a bit of a flawed heroine, and the last few chapters were jarring. It felt like the author wrote herself into a corner and found a way to bring the story to a close with the main characters getting a fairly happy ending. But those are, on the whole, nits.

[Eric Bingham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard for me to get through until the last 100 pages, and then it got much better. Large parts of the book felt like information dumps where the author was creating awkward conversations between characters just to deliver historical information. Once the plot finally picked up, I really did enjoy reading it and I will confess that it led to me googling several historical characters to see how accurately they were portrayed in the book.

[Katelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my FAVORITE book when I was in fifth grade 17 years ago! I remember I recommended it to all my friends and teachers, and insisted my mom read it because "IT'S SO AMAZING"! I haven't read it since I was a kid, but I needed to write this review. My copy was so well loved I had no choice but to recycle it - I read it at least a dozen times. <3

[Mary Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing that bothered me the most was the fact that the colonists kept saying they were American and not British. It's my understanding that they would have seen themselves as New Yorkers or Virginians and not American until after the Revolutionary War. Overall, it was better than I expected. I imagine my kids would enjoy it as a read aloud.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite part was when Hannah moved back to Salem into her aunt's old house after her aunt and new husband had moved away. My least favourite part was either when Caleb died, or when Hannah was found out about her being a traitor. It was a really good book.

[Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this one with my 6th grader. We both enjoyed it, it was a nice piece of historical fiction that had a fun story and good characters and we learned a few things about Boston just before the revolutionary war.

[Brooklyn MacCoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Friend recommended this book to me. First off I’m not a big fan of historical fiction so I couldn’t really get into this one. I was only on chapter 3 and I had really hard time understanding what’s going on. I got an eerie and upsetting feeling from this book I do not recommend.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read it for school, I thought it was kinda bad, no offence. But I kind of expected that, because first off, I am not really a fan of historical fiction, and honestly, it was not that interesting. Also, there was something about the diolage I did not like.

[GabrielleOwens]

it was a good book.

[Kristie Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was enjoyable historical fiction. It is a bit juvenile, but I believe that is the intended audience.

[Jaylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was addicted to this book. The characters were interesting. I highly reccomend it to anybody who wants a good historical fiction.

[Monica Gabour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read-- read it years ago and I still remember how amazing it was. Would read again and again.

[October · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite book in the 5th grade. I must have read this book about a dozen times over the years. 5 stars.