Goliath: Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire

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Sleeping Bear Press

Just the Series: True Stories

Series and Publisher: True Stories

Annotation: Traces the story of the famous fire horse who aided Engine Company 15 by pulling the mammoth Hale Water Tower No. 1 during Baltimore's three-day blaze in 1904.

Genre: [United States history]

Reviews: 4

Catalog Number: #58376

Format: Perma-Bound from Publisher's Hardcover

Special Formats: Inventory Sale

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

Edition Date: 2010 Release Date: 04/16/10

Illustrator: Howell, Troy,

Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)

ISBN: Publisher: 1-585-36455-X Perma-Bound: 0-605-54919-2

ISBN 13: Publisher: 978-1-585-36455-8 Perma-Bound: 978-0-605-54919-7

Dewey: 975.2

LCCN: 2009036941

Dimensions: 28 cm.

Language: English

Reviews:

School Library Journal (Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

K-Gr 5 Though not as well known as the Great Chicago Fire, the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904 was one of the most destructive in U.S. history. Friddell brings the event to life through the true story of a huge horse from Engine Company 15. Goliath bore the full brunt of an explosion and then heroically pulled an entire fire rig to safety by himself. The text builds suspense as it traces the path of the fire, ending with Goliath's scarred but triumphant return to his post six months after the fire. Howell's expressive, sepia-toned illustrations interplay with the text to keep readers in the moment. Exciting, historically accurate, and visually appealing, this book is an excellent addition to the classroom or the pleasure-reading pile. Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

This animal-hero story focuses on Percheron horse Goliath, who suffered severe burns while fulfilling his fire-horse lead-position duties during the Baltimore fire of 1904. The text, with strained invented dialogue, is informative but choppy. Detailed paintings in subdued browns, reds, and grays are stiff but evocative of the time period. Glos.

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
School Library Journal (Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)
ILA Children's Choice Award
Wilson's Children's Catalog
Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

Word Count: 1,594

Reading Level: 4.8

Interest Level: 2-5

Accelerated Reader: reading level: 4.8 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 137285 / grade: Lower Grades

Guided Reading Level: V

In 1904 the city of Baltimore was almost destroyed by fire. Hundreds of firemen, policemen, soldiers, and citizens battled the blaze for three days. The disaster brings out the best in man and the bravest of deeds, but one hero stands head and shoulders above all...literally. Goliath is a fire horse assigned to Engine Company 15. He is massive in size and mighty in heart and steadfastness. To the men of Engine Company 15, Goliath is the ultimate fire horse. He is the lead horse for the team assigned to pulling the mammoth Hale Water Tower No. 1. When the fire alarm sounds, calling them to action, Goliath leads his team into the blaze. Soon his lifesaving actions will lead him into the pages of history. Masterful artwork from acclaimed illustrator Troy Howell brings this true story to pulse-pounding life. Educator Claudia Friddell says of her work researching Goliath, "It was a privilege to meet and interview firefighters and fire historians about the Baltimore Fire of 1904." Goliath is her first children's book. Claudia lives in Baltimore, Maryland. Artist Troy Howell has had a prolific career as a children's book illustrator with countless books to his credit, including The Secret Garden, The Ugly Duckling, and Favorite Greek Myths. He received his formal art education from the Art Center in Los Angeles and the Illustrators' Workshops in New York. Troy lives in Falmouth, Virginia.

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