Shadow Fox
Encyclopedia
Shadow Fox is a historical fiction series published by Fox Run Press. The first book in the series is titled Shadow Fox: Sons of Liberty. The 2010 children's novel
by Ron Hardman and Jessica Hardman tells the story of Paul Revere
's Midnight Ride at the start of the American Revolution
. The novel's theme
s include liberty
, freedom, loyalty
, and the explosive tension between the Sons of Liberty
and British
Redcoats
as the American Revolution
begins.
Real events described in the novel include Nikola Tesla
's experiments at his 1899 laboratory in Colorado
, the midnight ride of Paul Revere
, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord
.
's time travel device, the Wall of Light.
On their first journey through the Wall of Light, they travel to Boston
in 1775, to help Paul Revere
and the Sons of Liberty
spread the word that British Redcoats
are on the march. Shadow has discovered seven gaps in the story of Paul Revere's midnight ride. If those gaps are not filled, the American Revolution
may never be fought, and liberty
as we know it will cease to exist.
Travel through time with them and follow Paul Revere
, William Dawes
, and Samuel Prescott
, ordinary men who choose to act for the cause of liberty. Meet Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, as he sets the famous ride in motion. Watch Robert Newman
and John Pulling as they attempt to place signal lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church
. But, look out for Pratt! If he has his way, you could become trapped in a time when King George III rules, and there is no liberty and justice
for all.
Shadow Fox - The protagonist. Shadow is the main character. He is a red fox whose abilities were created through an accidental meeting with Nikola Tesla. Nikola's real-life laboratory in Colorado Springs was the site of an amazing electrical experiment in 1899. Residents from as far away as Cripple Creek
reported hearing a man-made lightning bolt generated at the laboratory, and the experiment blew up the El Paso County power station. This real experiment was used in the book to transform Shadow from a normal fox to one with extraordinary abilities, including the ability to think like Nikola Tesla, and control electricity.
Erin Fraser - Erin is 12 years old and Jacob's twin sister. She lives 'present day' in the Black Forest of Colorado near Fox Run Park. Her love of horseback riding comes in handy as she works with Shadow and Jacob to help Paul Revere.
Jacob Fraser - Jacob is 12 years old, and like his father he is an inventor. He invented the "Fraser-matic Eavesdropper" from nothing more than pie pans and twine. It allows the user to listen in on conversations from long distances.
Pratt - The antagonist. Colonel Pratt was expelled from the British military and as punishment for crimes against the crown he was condemned to live among the people of Boston who he had mistreated for many years. Pratt tries to capture Shadow, Erin, and Jacob, and ultimately stop the Sons of Liberty to win back the favor of General Thomas Gage.
Junior and Runt - Nicknames for two fictional Redcoats. Both are large, imposing, but often bumbling British soldiers that chase after Shadow, Erin, and Jacob, and also stand in Pratt's way. Erin and Jacob nickname them Junior and Runt.
Mr. & Mrs. Fraser - Mr. and Mrs. Fraser are the parents of Erin and Jacob. Mr. Fraser is an inventor on the verge of a big sale to an investor. Mrs. Fraser is a competitive horseback rider. They live near Fox Run Park in the Black Forest of Colorado, and have a barn with two horses (Rosie and Violet) and a workshop where Mr. Fraser works with Jacob.
- One of the greatest inventors in the world. He invented the [AC] electric motor, making [Thomas Edison] who had already invested heavily in DC current technology an enemy. George Westinghouse parnered with Tesla to bring AC to market, and Edison's bid to see the world run on [DC] ultimately failed. Tesla also invented radio technology, neon bulbs, remote control, and numerous other inventions. He built his Colorado Springs laboratory in 1899, and conducted experiments that would seem to leap straight from the pages of a fiction book. One of his experiments, the generation of a large man-made lightning bolt, is used in the Shadow Fox: Sons of Liberty journal entry. This experiment is used in the book as the origin of Shadow Fox. Nikola also envisioned a way to travel through space and time, calling it the Wall of Light. The Wall of Light is used to travel through time in the book.
Paul Revere
- Paul was a silversmith, goldsmith, engraver, husband, father, and express rider for the Sons of Liberty. He was dispatched along with William Dawes by Dr. Joseph Warren to Lexington the night of April 18, 1775. His task was to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that a large number of Redcoats were on their way. He departed Boston, rowing across the Charles River (two if by sea) with the help of two others, and rode into our history books on the back of a beautiful mare named Brown Beauty. The horse was borrowed from a Charlestown man named Deacon Larkin, who had borrowed the horse from his father. Paul's ride was distinguised in that he warned people along the way to Lexington, not by yelling "The British are coming," but rather alerting people that he new that the Redcoats were on the march. The second half of Paul's mission that night was to ride with Dawes to Concord to warn them. He never made it. Paul was captured on the way there and held at gunpoint. He would later be released after gunshots were heard at Lexington Green. Paul's ride, though extremely brave and incredibly important, was glorified beyond recognition in Longfellow
's poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
". In the poem he was portrayed as a lone rider.
William Dawes
- Dawes was the lesser-known rider the night of April 18, 1775. Dawes arrived in Lexington close the same time as Paul, but did not warn as many people (if anyone) along the way. He exhibited the same brave spirit as Paul, but his absence from Longfellow's poem relegated him to a footnote in many historical texts. Dawes was at the capture location along with Paul Revere and Samuel Prescott
, but managed to escape the Redcoats.
Samuel Prescott
- Samuel Prescott was out visiting his fiance when he came upon Revere and Dawes. They were on their way to Concord by this time, which was where Samuel was headed. He was a high Son of Liberty, and was eager to help spread the alarm. When they came upon British Redcoats in the road he charged them along with Revere and Dawes, but they were badly outnumbered. Samuel Prescott jumped his horse over a stone fence and rode off into the woods. He escaped his pursuers, and arrived at Concord
to deliver the final alarm that night. Based on his word, the alarm spread throughout the countryside and by mid-day on the 19th, men from all over the area showed up at the North bridge to push the British back to Boston.
Samuel Adams
- Political leader of the Whigs
in Boston. Samuel Adams was considered the greatest creator of propaganda for the rebel cause. He wrote numerous pamphlets inciting and inspiring the revolution.
John Hancock
- One of the wealthiest men in Boston and a leader of the Sons of Liberty.
Doctor Joseph Warren
- One of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty in Boston. Dr. Warren sent Paul Revere and William Dawes on the midnight ride.
Thomas Gage
- British General and military governor of Boston during the occupation.
Lord Percy and Francis Smith - British commanding officers at the Battles of Lexington and Concord
.
Robert Newman
, Thomas Bernard, and John Pulling - Thomas stood guard while Robert and John raised the lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church
.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Ron Hardman and Jessica Hardman tells the story of Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
's Midnight Ride at the start of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. The novel's theme
Theme (literature)
A theme is a broad, message, or moral of a story. The message may be about life, society, or human nature. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and are almost always implied rather than stated explicitly. Along with plot, character,...
s include liberty
Liberty
Liberty is a moral and political principle, or Right, that identifies the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves, to behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions...
, freedom, loyalty
Loyalty
Loyalty is faithfulness or a devotion to a person, country, group, or cause There are many aspects to...
, and the explosive tension between the Sons of Liberty
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a political group made up of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. The group was formed to protect the rights of the colonists from the usurpations by the British government after 1766...
and British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
Redcoats
Red coat (British army)
Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, , included a madder red coat or coatee...
as the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
begins.
Real events described in the novel include Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer...
's experiments at his 1899 laboratory in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, the midnight ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy , and Cambridge, near Boston...
.
Plot summary
A walk in the Black Forest for twins Jacob and Erin turns into an adventure through time when they meet Shadow, a red fox with an unusual set of talents. They are welcomed to his underground laboratory, Hora Cella, and witness the power of Nikola TeslaNikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer...
's time travel device, the Wall of Light.
On their first journey through the Wall of Light, they travel to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1775, to help Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
and the Sons of Liberty
Sons of Liberty
The Sons of Liberty were a political group made up of American patriots that originated in the pre-independence North American British colonies. The group was formed to protect the rights of the colonists from the usurpations by the British government after 1766...
spread the word that British Redcoats
Red coat (British army)
Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, , included a madder red coat or coatee...
are on the march. Shadow has discovered seven gaps in the story of Paul Revere's midnight ride. If those gaps are not filled, the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
may never be fought, and liberty
Liberty
Liberty is a moral and political principle, or Right, that identifies the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves, to behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions...
as we know it will cease to exist.
Travel through time with them and follow Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
, William Dawes
William Dawes
William Dawes, Jr. was one of several men and a woman who alerted colonial minutemen of the approach of British army troops prior to the Battle of Lexington and Concord at the outset of the American Revolution....
, and Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott was a Massachusetts Patriot during the American Revolutionary War. He is best remembered for his role in the "midnight ride" to warn the townspeople of Concord of the impending British army move to capture military stores kept there at the beginning of the American Revolution...
, ordinary men who choose to act for the cause of liberty. Meet Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, as he sets the famous ride in motion. Watch Robert Newman
Robert Newman
Robert Newman is a British stand-up comedian, author and political activist. In 1993 Newman and his then comedy partner David Baddiel became the first comedians to play and sell out the 12,000-seat Wembley Arena in London...
and John Pulling as they attempt to place signal lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church
Old North Church
Old North Church , at 193 Salem Street, in the North End of Boston, is the location from which the famous "One if by land, and two if by sea" signal is said to have been sent...
. But, look out for Pratt! If he has his way, you could become trapped in a time when King George III rules, and there is no liberty and justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
for all.
Characters
The novel features both fictional and historical characters.Shadow Fox - The protagonist. Shadow is the main character. He is a red fox whose abilities were created through an accidental meeting with Nikola Tesla. Nikola's real-life laboratory in Colorado Springs was the site of an amazing electrical experiment in 1899. Residents from as far away as Cripple Creek
Cripple Creek, Colorado
The City of Cripple Creek is a Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic...
reported hearing a man-made lightning bolt generated at the laboratory, and the experiment blew up the El Paso County power station. This real experiment was used in the book to transform Shadow from a normal fox to one with extraordinary abilities, including the ability to think like Nikola Tesla, and control electricity.
Erin Fraser - Erin is 12 years old and Jacob's twin sister. She lives 'present day' in the Black Forest of Colorado near Fox Run Park. Her love of horseback riding comes in handy as she works with Shadow and Jacob to help Paul Revere.
Jacob Fraser - Jacob is 12 years old, and like his father he is an inventor. He invented the "Fraser-matic Eavesdropper" from nothing more than pie pans and twine. It allows the user to listen in on conversations from long distances.
Pratt - The antagonist. Colonel Pratt was expelled from the British military and as punishment for crimes against the crown he was condemned to live among the people of Boston who he had mistreated for many years. Pratt tries to capture Shadow, Erin, and Jacob, and ultimately stop the Sons of Liberty to win back the favor of General Thomas Gage.
Junior and Runt - Nicknames for two fictional Redcoats. Both are large, imposing, but often bumbling British soldiers that chase after Shadow, Erin, and Jacob, and also stand in Pratt's way. Erin and Jacob nickname them Junior and Runt.
Mr. & Mrs. Fraser - Mr. and Mrs. Fraser are the parents of Erin and Jacob. Mr. Fraser is an inventor on the verge of a big sale to an investor. Mrs. Fraser is a competitive horseback rider. They live near Fox Run Park in the Black Forest of Colorado, and have a barn with two horses (Rosie and Violet) and a workshop where Mr. Fraser works with Jacob.
Historical
Nikola TeslaNikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, mechanical engineer, and electrical engineer...
- One of the greatest inventors in the world. He invented the [AC] electric motor, making [Thomas Edison] who had already invested heavily in DC current technology an enemy. George Westinghouse parnered with Tesla to bring AC to market, and Edison's bid to see the world run on [DC] ultimately failed. Tesla also invented radio technology, neon bulbs, remote control, and numerous other inventions. He built his Colorado Springs laboratory in 1899, and conducted experiments that would seem to leap straight from the pages of a fiction book. One of his experiments, the generation of a large man-made lightning bolt, is used in the Shadow Fox: Sons of Liberty journal entry. This experiment is used in the book as the origin of Shadow Fox. Nikola also envisioned a way to travel through space and time, calling it the Wall of Light. The Wall of Light is used to travel through time in the book.
Paul Revere
Paul Revere
Paul Revere was an American silversmith and a patriot in the American Revolution. He is most famous for alerting Colonial militia of approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord, as dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride...
- Paul was a silversmith, goldsmith, engraver, husband, father, and express rider for the Sons of Liberty. He was dispatched along with William Dawes by Dr. Joseph Warren to Lexington the night of April 18, 1775. His task was to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams that a large number of Redcoats were on their way. He departed Boston, rowing across the Charles River (two if by sea) with the help of two others, and rode into our history books on the back of a beautiful mare named Brown Beauty. The horse was borrowed from a Charlestown man named Deacon Larkin, who had borrowed the horse from his father. Paul's ride was distinguised in that he warned people along the way to Lexington, not by yelling "The British are coming," but rather alerting people that he new that the Redcoats were on the march. The second half of Paul's mission that night was to ride with Dawes to Concord to warn them. He never made it. Paul was captured on the way there and held at gunpoint. He would later be released after gunshots were heard at Lexington Green. Paul's ride, though extremely brave and incredibly important, was glorified beyond recognition in Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator whose works include "Paul Revere's Ride", The Song of Hiawatha, and Evangeline...
's poem, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
Paul Revere's Ride (poem)
"Paul Revere's Ride" is a poem by an American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that commemorates the actions of American patriot Paul Revere on April 18, 1775.-Overview:...
". In the poem he was portrayed as a lone rider.
William Dawes
William Dawes
William Dawes, Jr. was one of several men and a woman who alerted colonial minutemen of the approach of British army troops prior to the Battle of Lexington and Concord at the outset of the American Revolution....
- Dawes was the lesser-known rider the night of April 18, 1775. Dawes arrived in Lexington close the same time as Paul, but did not warn as many people (if anyone) along the way. He exhibited the same brave spirit as Paul, but his absence from Longfellow's poem relegated him to a footnote in many historical texts. Dawes was at the capture location along with Paul Revere and Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott was a Massachusetts Patriot during the American Revolutionary War. He is best remembered for his role in the "midnight ride" to warn the townspeople of Concord of the impending British army move to capture military stores kept there at the beginning of the American Revolution...
, but managed to escape the Redcoats.
Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott
Samuel Prescott was a Massachusetts Patriot during the American Revolutionary War. He is best remembered for his role in the "midnight ride" to warn the townspeople of Concord of the impending British army move to capture military stores kept there at the beginning of the American Revolution...
- Samuel Prescott was out visiting his fiance when he came upon Revere and Dawes. They were on their way to Concord by this time, which was where Samuel was headed. He was a high Son of Liberty, and was eager to help spread the alarm. When they came upon British Redcoats in the road he charged them along with Revere and Dawes, but they were badly outnumbered. Samuel Prescott jumped his horse over a stone fence and rode off into the woods. He escaped his pursuers, and arrived at Concord
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
to deliver the final alarm that night. Based on his word, the alarm spread throughout the countryside and by mid-day on the 19th, men from all over the area showed up at the North bridge to push the British back to Boston.
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a politician in colonial Massachusetts, Adams was a leader of the movement that became the American Revolution, and was one of the architects of the principles of American...
- Political leader of the Whigs
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
in Boston. Samuel Adams was considered the greatest creator of propaganda for the rebel cause. He wrote numerous pamphlets inciting and inspiring the revolution.
John Hancock
John Hancock
John Hancock was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first and third Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
- One of the wealthiest men in Boston and a leader of the Sons of Liberty.
Doctor Joseph Warren
Joseph Warren
Dr. Joseph Warren was an American doctor who played a leading role in American Patriot organizations in Boston in early days of the American Revolution, eventually serving as president of the revolutionary Massachusetts Provincial Congress...
- One of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty in Boston. Dr. Warren sent Paul Revere and William Dawes on the midnight ride.
Thomas Gage
Thomas Gage
Thomas Gage was a British general, best known for his many years of service in North America, including his role as military commander in the early days of the American War of Independence....
- British General and military governor of Boston during the occupation.
Lord Percy and Francis Smith - British commanding officers at the Battles of Lexington and Concord
Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. They were fought on April 19, 1775, in Middlesex County, Province of Massachusetts Bay, within the towns of Lexington, Concord, Lincoln, Menotomy , and Cambridge, near Boston...
.
Robert Newman
Robert Newman
Robert Newman is a British stand-up comedian, author and political activist. In 1993 Newman and his then comedy partner David Baddiel became the first comedians to play and sell out the 12,000-seat Wembley Arena in London...
, Thomas Bernard, and John Pulling - Thomas stood guard while Robert and John raised the lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church
Old North Church
Old North Church , at 193 Salem Street, in the North End of Boston, is the location from which the famous "One if by land, and two if by sea" signal is said to have been sent...
.