Silence and Lily: 1773 (Hoofbeats) [Paperback]

Kathleen Duey (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Hoofbeats

The year is 1773, and in Boston, the tensions between the colonists and the British are heating up. For twelve-year-old Silence, the tensions at home are running high as well. All she wants is a chance to call Lily—a beautiful snow-white mare—her own. But Silence’s mother does not think it fitting for a young girl to spend so much time out riding and being reckless. Then, in the days leading up to the dramatic Boston Tea Party, Silence learns that someone has been taking Lily out under the cover of darkness. When the whole family is threatened by the events, Silence begins to worry that if she doesn’t do something drastic, she may lose Lily forever.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kathleen Duey lives in Fallbrook, California.

About the Author

Kathleen Duey lives in Fallbrook, California. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014240909X
• ISBN-13: 978-0142409091
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have published over 80 books for children of all ages and YA/Adult readers. Many have won state and national awards and all of them have brought me the kind of fan mail that writers love to get.

Two from today's email (Jan 27 11)
Dear Ms. Duey,

I am 8 years old and I live in Catalonia (Spain). I just finished reading your book "Moonsilver" with my mom, and I really liked it. I want to ask you, what was your dream in 3rd grade? I'm asking you because at the end of the book, it says that the series of the Unicorn's Secret books is based on a dream you had in 3rd grade. I am in third grade right now, so I'm really curious!!!
Please tell me

(writer's name)



Dear Ms. Duey,

I loved your book the Unicorn's Secret. Me and my mom read it together. I like your books because I like unicorns and your story was very exciting. I like to draw unicorns. They are one of my favorite animals. I have two stuffed animal unicorns. One is named Sparkle. I sleep with her every night. Did you always want to be a writer? Have you ever seen a real unicorn? I am in 1st grade. I love to read. When I grow up I want to be a animal trainer and I want to train unicorns if I can find one.

LOVE , (writer's name)


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YA readers are writing a lot, too. Most say something like this one:

I have been waiting for the third book in Skin Hunger trilogy forever. Ok not forever but it feels like it. When is it coming out? How long will you make me wait? I love these books and am really needing to know what happens to Sadima and Hahp!!!!!


I know, me, too. Please read below.
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If it is later than 6:30am PST, I am probably writing, even if I am on an airplane. I might be working on a faerie book or writing about unicorns for grade school kids, or I could be lost in something dark, detailed, and strange for YA/adult readers. The third book in the Resurrection of Magic Trilogy is dragging me through the woods. I am working on it every day, and am Skying instead of traveling to schools and libraries until I get it DONE. It's taking wild amazing turns and I love it.

If I am not working...I might be answering readers who contact me through my website: http://www.kathleenduey.com Thanks to everyone who gets in touch with me on Facebook, my blog, http://kathleenduey.blogspot.com/, Twitter, and all the other ways to reach me. I can't keep up anymore, but I try to answer questions and I send out signed bookplates when I can. It means so much to know that you like my books.

I appear at schools, bookstores, and teach at writers' conferences nationwide and internationally. There is a schedule on my website and I try to keep it current.
And more and more... I Skype. It's a wonderful way to meet readers in classrooms and at libraries, I love to drop in on book clubs and critique groups, then get back to work!

Book news: The Unicorn's Secret books are getting lovely new covers by Sandara Tang, an amazing artist based in Singapore. The fan mail astounds me.
Sandara is the cover artist for the new kid's series The Faerie's Promise, too. Excerpts from all my books are on http://www.kathleenduey.com

YA NOVEL ONLINE/IN PROGRESS: RUSSET fans: http://russet-one-wing.blogspot.com/
I am accumulating entries and will tag you all when there is more to read. Give me your contact info and I will add you to the alert list. kathleenduey at earthlink dot net

The third book of my YA/adult trilogy is in the works now. I don't have a release date yet because I still writing like MAD. But it will be ASAP, I promise. The story is taking amazing turns and dragging me through the woods the way the first two did. Thanks!!!! to the thousands of people asking when it will come out.

You have no idea how happy that makes me.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mix of equestrianism and history that takes you on one wild ride after another!, September 15, 2007

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Silence and Lily: 1773 (Hoofbeats) (Paperback)

The year is 1773. While things should be peachy keen in Boston, all is not well. The British - namely, King George - and the colonists are not happy with one another, and tensions are heating up with each passing moment. Twelve-year-old Silence would love to have the ability to simply discard the growing anger in her friends and neighbors, and spend each and every waking moment with her family's snow white mare, Lily; but, alas, so is not the way the world works.

As a female, and the daughter of an old-fashioned mother from England, Silence is expected to grow up to be nothing more than a proper housewife to a wealthy husband - much like her own mother, Charity. She is expected to cook elaborate meals for her family, or any company that may stop by, at the drop of a hat; she is meant to keep the house spotless and shining, even if that entails spending the day on her hands and knees, scrubbing until her hands are raw; and she must learn to keep accounts and receipts for her husband. Which is why her mother does everything in her power to keep Silence far away from Lily. What she doesn't know, however, is that Silence is the keeper of many secrets and surprises. For one, she convinced her older brother, Samuel, to teach her how to read when she was quite young; and two, she sneaks out at night to visit lovely Lily, and whisper sweet-nothings in her ears to make her feel loved and wanted. But even with Lily close at hand, Silence can't help but find herself overwhelmed with sorrow. Just days before December 16th - the day of the Boston Tea Party - Silence makes a discovery that will flip her world upside down. When darkness falls, someone has been taking Lily out to secret meetings without permission. Secret meetings where wrongdoings towards the King are discussed. Silence is angry to see Lily being put in such a horrible and dangerous position that could leave her injured. But, even worse, when she learns that her entire family is at risk of falling victim to danger, she resolves that it's up to her to do something drastic; otherwise, she may lose Lily forever.

I have read many books by Kathleen Duey over the years; but, perhaps, SILENCE AND LILY is her best effort yet. Silence is a girl who is irresistible from start to finish. She's spirited and fun; fiery and determined; disobedient and kind; and everything in-between. While she is held back due to the era, and the fact that she is a female, Silence does not let the odds work against her. Instead, she shines in the face of adversity, struggling to make her voice heard above the controversies surrounding her. She refuses to take anything lying down, and works to pave her own path in life - even if her mother disapproves of it. Her love for Lily is unbridled, and runs rampant through the pages; while her relationships with Prissy, a slave, and Elijah, an indentured boy with no known background, is reminiscent of siblings, as opposed to employees. Prissy is an enchanting character, whose kindness towards Silence is overwhelming. Her constant singing makes her appear carefree and happy, even as she is scrubbing pots and pans, or doing the wash for hours at a time. Samuel, Silence's brother, is wonderful in every respect. However, the secret hidden between him and Elijah adds an air of mystery to the tale, that works to leave the reader baffled. Duey's passion for horses and history shines through in each and every word that she writes; working to bring not only the era, but the lively characters to life. A mix of equestrianism and history that takes you on one wild ride after another!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and educational!!, February 3, 2009

By 

N. J. Rush - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Silence and Lily: 1773 (Hoofbeats) (Paperback)

My daughter and I both thoroughly enjoyed this book which gives insight into the life of a ship owner, and his family, at the edge of the Boston Tea Party. It also doesn't hurt that there is an exciting line in the story involving the daughter and her horse. A great read for your elementary-aged girls!!

5.0 out of 5 stars I love the hoofbeats series, April 7, 2011

By 

N. Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hoofbeats: Silence and Lily (Hardcover)

I read the Katie and the mustang series it was awasome! So I got stuck on hoofbeats and will try to read every single one.You should by it for kids.They will love it.If they like horses.