About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to push against family expectations or is struggling to balance their own passions with household responsibilities. Set against the backdrop of pre-Revolutionary Boston, this story follows twelve-year-old Silence as she navigates the rigid etiquette requirements of her mother and the growing political tension within her family. It is a thoughtful exploration of how young people find their own voices and identities when the world around them is divided by conflicting loyalties. Parents will appreciate how the story validates a child's need for autonomy and a connection with nature, represented here by Silence's bond with her horse, Lily. While the historical setting provides a lesson on the origins of the American Revolution, the emotional core remains focused on the universal experience of growing up and managing family pressures. It is an excellent choice for middle-grade readers who love animals and are beginning to take an interest in history and justice.
