Fire by Night

American Adventure #4

by Loree Lough

While living in Boston in 1635 and 1636, thirteen-year-old Phillip and his family survive a hurricane and a devastating fire while holding to their faith in God.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 1996

About the author

With the upcoming release of the books in her new Kensington series, bestselling author Loree Lough will have 121 books on the shelves (8,000,000+ copies in circulation). Her writing style has been compared to Nicholas Sparks and Mary Jo Putney, and readers and reviewers often call her “a gifted writer whose stories touch hearts and change lives.”

With a long list of industry awards, it isn't likely this prolific author will ever retire...not even to her cozy li'l cabin in the Allegheny Mountains. She loves to hear from her readers and personally answers every letter sent to http://www.loreelough.com/.

Visit http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B000APRS7S to see some of Loree's available titles.

Reviews

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to engage children into a journey through history.

[Daniel Gaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's rare for the series to feature a main character in more than one book; it was very cool to see Philip return!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in The American Adventure series. This series tells about the lives of children from many generations of a fictional family throughout American history, from the settling of Plymouth by the Pilgrims through the end of World War II.

It's 1635 in Boston, and life for fourteen-year-old Phillip Smythe and his family, which had changed so much for the better, is turned upside down by a series of disasters. Phillip had been so happy -- his frail younger sister, Leah, was finally healthy, and his dream of becoming an apothecary's apprentice had come true. But a terrible cyclone that strikes Boston changes all that. Phillip's father's carpentry shop is destroyed, and Mr. Smythe must travel to England to earn enough money to rebuilt. Shortly after Mr. Smythe leaves, Phillip's older brother, John, becomes involved in drinking and gambling, and then family's home burns down. Even more hardship and tragedy follows, and Phillip feels as if his dreams have died forever.

This was probably my least favorite of the American Adventure books I have read so far. I was happy to see it was a direct sequel to the previous book in the series, Dream Seekers. However, I was disappointed by how much tragedy happened in this story, in particular the death of a character which I felt to be very unnecessary; enough bad had already happened. I would only recommend this book to readers who want to read the entire series. I personally feel the ending of Dream Seekers was a better conclusion to the story of Phillip and his family.

[Marius B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Previously in the series: Dream Seekers (#3)

Set in the years 1635 and 1636, Fire by Night chronicles the continuing journey of the Smythe family,
-of their dealing with a terrible storm
-and of their dealing with family separation.

You follow the views of the two youngest Smythe children - Phillip (13-14) and Sarah (11-12) - who go through the struggles of ill health and wanting to forge a new path for themselves.

Historical figures involved in the story included Roger Williams and King Charles I of England.

Up next in the series: Queen Anne's War (The American Adventure #5)

[serena482* · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a very good book, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. the main character is phillip smythe, a 13 year old boy who wants to start on his dream, but when a storm wipes out most of Boston were he live his father must go on a trip for work and leaves phillip to work and take care of his family, and on top of that he has to work for his brothers family and help a young boy who's father died. how will he ever proceed with his dream? so really good book. but before you read this one be sure to pick up the first book about him Dream Seekers. I recommend this book to all ages, as long as you can read.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good History book!

[Anna Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a tuching book.I really felt for Phillip.