Midnight Rider

Midnight Rider written by Joan Hiatt Harlow gives you another chance to look into the revolution. Hannah Andrews, an orphan, is sold by her aunt as an indentured servant to work in Boston for the Gage family. Her aunt, along with selling Hannah, sells her horse, Promise, the one thing that reminds Hannah of her father. Thomas Gage, Hannah's employer, governors the colonies and is the general of the British armies. Upon her arrival she befriends Caleb, the stable boy, and Meg, the daughter of Thomas Gage. Meg and Hannah, both the same age, become close friends and assist each other with their shenanigans. Caleb makes Hannah aware of the issues the Americans face under the British rule. In the stables she finds Promise and begins to ride him at night despite the trouble it could cause. Sympathizing with the Americans, Hannah begins to attend meetings of the Son's of Liberty dressed as a boy. She too longs for freedom for she has been dealt with a bad hand from life. 

It is significant to our world today because anyone can relate to the underdog. It is completely different experience to read about the Son's of Liberty in a history textbook and to read from the point of view of a character who is ready for battle. One is able to form opinions on how they wish the story to play out and relate to the character's feelings. It is also a good thing that they made the main character a girl for this time period. This girl who is barely a teenager is starting up trouble among the Whigs and the redcoats. It's perfect. At this time in history, servants were regarded to as ignorants and their free-time activities were never questioned. No one would expect Hannah to be a great horse rider and to be attending meetings that talk of revolution. It is her gender and age that give her the ability to be invisible and have some kind of freedom. Even with Meg, Hannah is not afraid to speak her opinion and she doesn't bend to Meg's will. It's a good reminder for girls to know they can take the initiative, start a revolution. why not? It's 2016. The Son's of Liberty can be related to any group today that stands up for injustices. Most groups don't plan to attack and go to battle, but they hold their gatherings and discuss the issues at hand. Bits and parts of history are always repeating.