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Gabriel's Horses
by
Alison Hart
In the first book of this engrossing middle-grade trilogy set during the Civil War, a young Kentucky slave dares to pursue his dream of becoming a jockey.
The year is 1864 and twelve-year-old Gabriel hopes to one day become a famous jockey. Although he is a the son of a free black father and a slave mother-making him a slave as well-he loves to help his father, one of the
...moreHardcover, 160 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Peachtree Publishers
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Gabriel's Horses ia a wonderful book which shares the story of a 12 year old slave, Gabriel, and his dreams of being a jockey. His father has modeled how to care for horses so they develop a trust for their trainer/jockey. Once his father enlists in the Union Army, another horse trainer is employed by Gabriel's master, and this trainer and the new jockey, use an entirely different method of training horses, and Gabriel stands up to Newcastle and Flanagan. Gabriel is also very brave in his effort...more
When Pa shows me something, I take note. Pa's the best horseman in Kentucky, and I aim to follow in his path.
Horses and horse racing are Gabriel's life. He is the son of a freedman and a slave woman, making him a slave. He enjoys jockeying for his master and learning about horses from his father. He is happy until war sends his world spinning. His father leaves and a new horse trainer with harsh training methods arrives. To top things off, Confederate soldiers begin stealing horses. Gabriel must...more
Horses and horse racing are Gabriel's life. He is the son of a freedman and a slave woman, making him a slave. He enjoys jockeying for his master and learning about horses from his father. He is happy until war sends his world spinning. His father leaves and a new horse trainer with harsh training methods arrives. To top things off, Confederate soldiers begin stealing horses. Gabriel must...more
Gabriel’s father is free, but his mother is a slave, making Gabriel a slave, too. All three work on a horse farm, training and caring for horses that will one day race. It is the time of the Civil War and Gabriel’s father is given an opportunity to join the Union Army and earn enough money to buy his family’s freedom. This leaves Gabriel to care for the horses and protect them from Confederate raiders and a new cruel horse trainer.
I liked the story a lot, but the characters and the plot felt a l...more
I liked the story a lot, but the characters and the plot felt a l...more
A man came to care for the horses at the slave courters bjut he was cruel to them. Gabriel wanted to put a stop to that but the man was white and Gabriel is a slave. Gabriel had to be a jockey at the Lexington race because the real jockey got hurt because of another racer during the first race. Gabriel wins the race and becomes a joockey at the end. The man got fired for being cruel to everyone and all the horses. His mom and dad are free. Gabriel becomes free at the very end.
Oct 04, 2011
Sherrie
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011-reading-challenge,
already-read
Ms. Hart has written a book that middle school children can understand. They can also learn some history from this book. This is a story about a little known piece of American history. Horse training and horse racing. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the history of the horses. Ms. Hart gives info about the history at the end of the book. I'm really looking forward to reading the next 2 books. Does Gabriel save the horses from One-Arm Dan? You'll have to read the book to find out.
This was a really great book about a slave boy who wants to ride and train horses. He has been taught by his father to listen to the horses and develop trust with them. I'm not sure how historically accurate that would have been, but it makes for a good story. It's also exciting because of the threat of military men who are looking for fast horses. It would be a good comparison to something like the Black Stallion or National Velvet.
Gabriel is black and a slave in Kentucky toward the end of the Civil War, but that does not deter him from following his dream of being a jockey. He has a natural instinct and connection to the horses that has been honed by years of hard work while following the directions of his father who is the trainer on a horse farm that trains winning horses.
This book is about a slave named Gabriel. His dad is a trainer and A man named Jackson is the jockey of Master Giles. Gabriels dad joins the union army and a new trainer and jockey come They are mean to the horses. Raiders come to Master Giles farm and Gabriel saves the horses because he saved the horses Gabriel gets freed
Racing to Freedom Trilogy; book 1.
Author includes "The History Behind Gabriel's Horses" along with bibliographical notes.
"...soldiers gallop...pursuing the raiders....
The din recedes. I hear shouts from the woods. Then shots."
page 139
Author includes "The History Behind Gabriel's Horses" along with bibliographical notes.
"...soldiers gallop...pursuing the raiders....
The din recedes. I hear shouts from the woods. Then shots."
page 139
This historical novel is the 13th of 15 SSYRA books that I've read for 6th to 8th grade. It is set during the Civil War and will appeal to readers of both genders and ages from tween and up.
This book is on the Mark Twain book list this year. They are always heavy on historical fiction. I enjoy it too and wish more kids did. This one kept me on the edge of my seat.
From Haley. She is doing her first book report on this book. I loved it! Horses, history. Well written a great book. There are two more in the series which I intend to get.
This book was okay. I feel like Hart could've done a better job at building the suspense, but the story was okay and a nice change from traditional Civil War stories.
This is book 1 of a trilogy--Garbiel's Freedom and Gabriel's Triumph. Gabriel is a young slave boy during the Civil War whose greatest ambition is to become a jockey.
I Loved this book it very interesting I think people who like mysteries and fun and interesting book this is the perfect book for them
This book was pretty good. It was really boring until about half way through, and then got really exciting. Great historical fiction.
I don't get this book alot but i would recomend this book to someone who LOVES HORSES!!!!!!!
Slow to start, but liked it once I got into it.
This book is a book that is about a jockey. I really like this because of the slave who is a jockey and finally got is freedom at the end. It is amazing.
Texas Bluebonnet for the '08-'09 school year.
Set in the year 1864, Gabriel has to learn to overcome several obstacles. His father and mentor leaves the family to enlist in the Union army to earn money to buy his family's freedom. The horse trainer that takes his father's place has opposite views of training than his father. The new horse trainer, Mr. Newcastle, believes in whipping the horses into submission. Gabriel has to learn to stand up to Mr. Newcastle in order to save the horses he loves.
Set in the year 1864, Gabriel has to learn to overcome several obstacles. His father and mentor leaves the family to enlist in the Union army to earn money to buy his family's freedom. The horse trainer that takes his father's place has opposite views of training than his father. The new horse trainer, Mr. Newcastle, believes in whipping the horses into submission. Gabriel has to learn to stand up to Mr. Newcastle in order to save the horses he loves.
This book is probally the BEST book I have EVER READ!! This book is about a 12 year old slave boy named gabriel. He workes on a jockey farm named Woodville Farms. His dad is the trainer there and they have a race in lexington and there jockeys name is Jackson. I love this book because I love horses !! =D
Usually I enjoy horse stories, but this one fell flat to me! I couldn't actually torture myself to finish this one because it was so BORING! There was too much description and not enough suspense at the beginning. The dialogue also lacked authenticity. Alison Hart, the author, didn't make me like the main character. I didn't feel anything negative or positive towards Gabriel. I do not recommend this book, except if you are suffering insomnia.
Great read-aloud for a 'mature' 5th grade class. It was slow going at first, but turned out to be a great read. Suspense, horses, civil war... just about every kid had a connection! About a third of the way through the class was begging me not to stop reading and now they are hounding the librarian to order the rest of the series!
PS- Texas Bluebonnet nominee
PS- Texas Bluebonnet nominee
Mark Twain nominee 2009-2010. Really...a nominee? I have got to get on that committee. Boring, predictable and uninteresting read about slavery. The book's only redeeming quality is its use of horses and jockeys, which are not a common subject for middle school books. I'm not interested in the other two books in the trilogy, that's for sure.
This historical fiction was a good read. I enjoyed the setting and found the information at the back to be very interesting. I know that my students will be glad that the story continues as it is part of a trilogy.
Takes place in Kentucky during the civil war -
dad joins north to save money to buy his son and wife freedom. Son wants to be a jockey.
dad joins north to save money to buy his son and wife freedom. Son wants to be a jockey.
Jul 09, 2008
Lisa Ford
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
3rd grade and up
Recommended to Lisa by:
bluebonnet list
Very good bluebonnet book!
I want to read the rest of the series now.
I want to read the rest of the series now.
Great historical fiction story! Can't wait for the next book.
So far a good book but I'm only like half way though it.
This is a great book,it's a easy read but i loved it
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Alison Hart is a pseudonym for writer Alice Leonhardt.
A Virginia author of over twenty mysteries and historical fiction novels for children and teens, loves “writing books that keep young readers glued to the pages.” At the age of seven she wrote, illustrated and self-published The Wild Dog, a book which she shows to readers to make the point that it is never too early to be an author.
More about Alison Hart...
A Virginia author of over twenty mysteries and historical fiction novels for children and teens, loves “writing books that keep young readers glued to the pages.” At the age of seven she wrote, illustrated and self-published The Wild Dog, a book which she shows to readers to make the point that it is never too early to be an author.
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May 03, 2011 11:51am