Overview

On the Day of the Dead, the ghosts of America's greatest authors rise from their graves... and a Boston Terrier is about to join them on an unforgettable journey. Rex was once a beloved pet, but when life on the streets of Boston leaves him hungry and alone, he stumbles into Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts. There, under the moonlit shadows of Authors Ridge, something extraordinary happens: Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson return for one night only. With wit, warmth, and a touch of ghostly wonder, Rex follows the famous writers through Concord's most historic landmarks-from the Old North Bridge to Walden Pond-discovering the power of words, the weight of history, and the courage hidden in even the smallest heart. Along the way, he also encounters John Brown, the fiery abolitionist, and a Salem ""witch"" who has unfinished business with Hawthorne's past. But Rex is more than just a witness to history. He's a dog searching for belonging, haunted by the master who gave him up and facing the frailty of his own aging body. His story, told from the afterlife, becomes both a love letter to literature and a timeless reminder of loyalty, friendship, and hope. Readers of Duffy: The Tale of a Terrier will delight in this moving prequel that reveals how Rex's steadfast heart and literary wisdom first took shape. Little Rex: A Night at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery blends historical fiction, ghostly adventure, and canine courage into a heartwarming tale that will spark young readers' imaginations while introducing them to classic American writers and the lessons they still carry for us today.

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9781962834490

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Reviews

""A joyful read for dog and history lovers alike, Little Rex is another playful and charming entry in Porter's repertoire.."" -Jan Turnquist, Executive Director, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House ""A four-footed narrator, literary ghosts, and a dip in Walden Pond are just a few of the delights abounding in Little Rex. Who knew a Boston Terrier with wit and bravado could make young readers laugh, learn, and fall in love with 19th Century Concord and historical fiction?"" -Julie Dunlap, Author of I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau ""Gary Porter's love of literature and history are deftly woven into his series of captivating young reader stories in Little Rex: A Night in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Anchored by his lovable narrator, Little Rex, the Boston Terrier, readers are whisked into an imaginative exploration of Alcott, Thoreau, Hawthorne and Emerson. Insightful quotations from this assemblage of bygone authors adds to Little Rex's journey. Porter's charming book is sure to capture the imagination of its readers, stirring a sense of adventure for further discovery. "" -John Busbee, The Culture Buzz, Iowa Governor's Award for Partnership & Collaboration in the Arts, Excellence in History Award for published feature story ""Adorable, delightful, and deeply researched, Gary Porter's Little Rex: A Night at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a magical tale with just enough puffs of reality to flash smiles from new and old friends of Concord history and its literary legends. You'll finish this book running to your bookshelves to spend more time with these authors, and heading to your local animal shelter to scoop up a dog who is waiting for your love. Be a good reader: sit and treat yourself by reading Little Rex: A Night at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery."" -Jaimee Leigh Joroff, Barrow Bookstore and Licensed Town Guide, Concord, MA ""Beautifully written for all ages. The entwining of classic literature and an adorable Boston Terrier make the reader wanting more. Is Little Rex the next Dewey the Cat? As you are reading you will find yourself wanting to go back and read some classic literature. The classics are woven in the story seamlessly. "" -Michelle Johnson, Director, Hammond WI Community Library ""I love the story of Little Rex and the authors and their resting place in Concord. Of course I have visited--we all should! They all gave us great gifts...just as Gary Porter describes. "" -Bill Rodgers, Four Time Boston and NYC Marathon Champion and American Olympian ""Your stated goals of bringing to young readers ""a love for history and literature"" and more, are clearly evident in what I have read. Of course, the historical tone of Concord is always appealing to my thinking."" -Kevin Thomas Plodzik, Ed. D. Board Member, the Friends of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Inc. ""I am a big fan of Duffy, so with much anticipation I began to read about his sidekick, Rex. Immediately, Little Rex had me drawn into this inspiring book. Listening to the words of the characters in the book, I felt myself being transformed into Little Rex, a party to their stimulating conversation. I became emotional realizing many young readers will be hearing the historic comments of the characters for the very first time!"" -Billy Mills, Olympic Gold Medalist and co-author of Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills

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