Molly, by Golly!
by Dianne Ochiltree; illus. by Kathleen Kemly
32 pages, ages 7 – 10
Calkins Creek, 2012
Molly Williams whips up hasty pudding, chicken roly-poly and
johnnycakes for the volunteers of New York City’s Fire Company No. 11. But one
wintry day, when snow covered the streets and flu had laid many of the
volunteer firefighters low, church bells clanged out a fire alarm. Molly
wrapped her shawl around he shoulders and headed outside to help any way she
could.
In 1818, New York City is still a small town. Volunteers and
townspeople spill into the street to lend a hand battling the blaze. People
toss leather buckets to the streets below for the “bucket brigade”. Molly jumps
into action, helping push the pumper engine through snowdrifts, cranking the
long pump handles, and pulling down bits of burning roof with a long iron hook.
And, according to legend, became the first female firefighter in the United
States.
Though legend, there’s a lot of history in this book:
info-packed back pages and historically accurate illustrations. This is a great
book for any kid whose dad – or mom – is a volunteer on the local squad, and
for anyone who thinks they want to drive a fire engine when they grow up.
Review copy from publisher.
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