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Goliath

Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire
by Claudia Friddell
40p. 978-1-58536-455-8.
COPY ISBN
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
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.
Reviewed by Kathleen Kelly MacMillan , Sep 01, 2010

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