“Frank history, attention to factual detail, and vivid adventures make this a standout.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“An engrossing and insightful story…. An ample appendix, with additional material, sources, and further reading, rounds out the tale.” ―Booklist Online

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (Honor Book) ―The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, 2018

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Michael G. Montgomery has illustrated numerous children’s books. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Top Pick, Middle School/Junior High) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2008

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

“This fast-paced story offers discussions of slavery and freedom, Civil War history, and plenty of horse racing.” ―Book Links

“Alison Hart’s poignant end to the Racing to Freedom Trilogy provides a raw look into the African American contributions to the Civil War and the racism they encountered… For those looking for a great piece of historical fiction, I recommend the Racing to Freedom Trilogy. It is well researched and well written.” ―Boys to Books

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Prairie Pasque Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―SD Library Association, SD Reading Council, SD State Library, SD Elementary School Principals, 2012-2013

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Paul Bachem has worked for many years as an award-winning freelance illustrator, producing work for most of the major book and magazine publishers. He lives in New York. You can visit his website here.

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Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Paul Bachem has worked for many years as an award-winning freelance illustrator, producing work for most of the major book and magazine publishers. He lives in New York. You can visit his website here.

“Equal parts heart-wrenching and -warming…its message of the value of love over greed is as subtle as it is powerful. An adventure-filled tale set within a fascinating period of history.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Give this one to sensitive readers who love dog stories but aren’t ready for the heartache of books like Fred Gibson’s Old Yeller (HarperCollins, 1995) and Wilson Rawls’s Where the Red Fern Grows (Yearling, 1996).” ―School Library Journal

“Readers will be quickly hooked by how Murphy tells his own story, sharing his fears, excitement, and joys. Montgomery’s childlike pencil-and-ink drawings add a nice touch.” ―Booklist Online

“This charming dog’s-eye-view adventure set in 1900 will please dog lovers and historical fiction fans alike.” ―The Horn Book Guide

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2015

Great Stone Face Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Children’s Librarians of New Hampshire, 2015-2016

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Michael G. Montgomery has illustrated numerous children’s books. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

“Well-told and entertaining…” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Suspenseful…” ―The Horn Book Guide

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for the Social Studies, Children’s Book Council, 2016

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) – Kansas National Education Association, 2016

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (Honor Book) – The Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College, 2016

Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee, Intermediate) ―Association for Indiana Media Educators, 2017-2018

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Michael G. Montgomery has illustrated numerous children’s books. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.

“Descriptions of life on the Belgian front carry weight. Montgomery’s soft pencil drawings reinforce the affection between Darling and her handlers, and back matter offers additional facts about WWI and military dogs.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The simple narrative is detailed but never graphic… While never shying away from the tragedies of battle, Darling’s story focuses on bravery, sacrifice and devotion. Finely detailed pencil sketches and an afterword explaining the history behind the story are included. Wartime adventure with plenty of heart.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Darling is a well-told, fast-paced and touching story that vividly depicts battlefield conditions in World War I.” ―Richmond Times

“The pencil drawing illustrations fit in nicely with the text. Darling is an amazing dog who never forgot about the two children she loved, and who loved her. This historical fiction book should be on every required reading list for kids age eight and up.” ―Kid Lit Reviews

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“This book is part of a series [titled] Dog Chronicles, and would be especially interesting to elementary students who love to read about dogs. While Darling is injured, the book is not overly gory and ends on a hopeful note.” ―Ms. Yingling Reads

“In addition to all the satisfying action and adventure they’ll find in the book, kids will be drawn into the story because of several meaningful relationships detailed.” ―Good Reads with Ronna

“This volume combines history and love of animals in a unique way. It will hold kids’ attention and increase their reading comprehension. The content is well-researched and contains a table of contents, further facts, map, bibliography, for further reading section, and websites.” ―4th Grade Reading

“Pet lovers will love reading a book told from the point of view of a dog. This would be a good book for any kid who loves pets, or historical fiction.” ―Gidget’s Bookworms

“I absolutely loved this book! I was a little hesitant at first, as I was afraid that it would fall into the ‘dog book’ trap and have an unhappy ending, but it didn’t! I loved that the book was told from Darling’s perspective, rather than a narrator. I felt like it gave the book more OOMPH, as you could almost feel what Darling was going through.” ―Maestra Amanda’s Bookshelf

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Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Starred, Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2014

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2014-2015

Golden Sower Award (Nominee, Intermediate) ―Nebraska Library Association, 2015-2016

Alison Hart is the author of more than sixty books for young readers. Hart was a teacher at Blue Ridge Community College and lives in Virginia.

Michael G. Montgomery has illustrated numerous children’s books. He attended Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia. He lives in Georgia. You can visit his website here.