Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Horses, Howard Pyle
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This is the story of Myles Falworth, son of Lord Falworth, and how he rose from obscurity to high favor with the King. When Myles was eight years old, Lord Falworth gave aid to a knight who had been part of a plot to overthrow King Henry the IV. The King discovered this and confiscated Lord Falworth’s lands, reducing him to near-poverty, and, moreover, decreed him a traitor. Lord Falworth was forced to go into hiding, taking with him his wife and young son. The family found succor with a priest and remained in a small house in England. When Myles reached sixteen years old, his father decided to send him to Lord Mackworth (an old friend of Lord Falworth’s) with the request that he take Myles into his service as a squire. Lord Mackworth complied, at considerable danger to himself, and Myles came to live in Mackworth’s great castle. Years passed and Myles grew from a boy to a man and discovered that he was destined to play a high part in the politics of merry England. Soon King Henry himself knights Myles, and begins a chain of events that will effect many, many people.
Now, I put this in as older readers, but really it’s good for people as young as twelve. It’s written in the Old English style, which makes it a little difficult, but I love this book. There is so much action in it! My review sounds very dry and stuffy. From the first, Myles takes a stand for right and defends it with all his heart. Whether it’s challenging the right of a squire to order other squires about, or taking to the lists in a great tournament to redeem his father’s good name, you’re rooting for Myles all the way.
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Adventure, Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Donkeys, Funny, Horses, Lloyd Alexander
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Carlo has been working for his uncle for many years, but his somewhat incompetent nature finally forces Uncle Evariste to discharge him and send him far away with a small purse of money. Carlo is not altogether discouraged, as this provides him with the perfect opportunity to go treasure-hunting with an old, old map he discovered. Baksheesh, the most lazy camel puller who ever existed; and Shira, a young woman bent on facing her past, join him on this topsy-turvy quest through dangers and adventures Carlo never dreamed of.
Loved it! I am extremely fond of first-person style in books when it’s done well, and this one takes full advantage of it. When I wasn’t grinning, I was laughing. Sadly, though, this is Lloyd Alexander’s last book ever, due to his recent death in May of this year. But I think The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio is a fitting end to complete his writings. Well worth reading!
Posted by Sarah
Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Review, Younger Readers
Tags:Animals, Award Winner, Cats, Chickens, Dogs, Good Read Aloud, Horses, Patricia Maclachlan, Quick Read
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Out in the country of early America, Anna and Caleb’s father puts an ad in the newspaper for a wife. His previous wife died not long after Caleb’s birth. A woman named Sarah answers the ad and comes to live with them for a month for a trial period. But often she misses the sea, where she came from. Will Sarah stay, or will she return to the sea?
A somewhat simple, short story. I read Sarah, Plain and Tall in about an hour, if I remember correctly. This book might be a little better for people younger than me. It’s alright, but not my favorite. Oh, and Sarah, Plain and Tall is the beginning of a trilogy. There are two more books after this one.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Funny, Horses, Mark Twain, Westerns
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Soldier Boy, Buffalo Bill’s horse, is one of the finest scout horses in the west. When an orphan named Catherine comes to stay with General Alison, Kathy becomes good friends with everyone at the garrison, including Buffalo Bill who allows her to ride Soldier Boy. After a period of time, Kathy, General Alison, and some others return to Spain (Kathy’s home), and they take Soldier Boy with them. Unfortunately, Soldier Boy is stolen and eventually is killed in a bullfight.
This is reminiscent of A Dog’s Tale in that the hero of the story, Soldier Boy, dies. However, it takes it a step further because Kathy dies too! There are some funny parts, particularly one in which Soldier Boy and another horse discuss what makes something a reptile — “That any plantigrade circumflex vertebrate bacterium that hadn’t wings and was uncertain was a reptile.”
Posted by Becca 
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