Blumenthal introduces readers to horse-rescue programs that are integrated into the prison system with this gorgeously illustrated title. It follows the story of Blake, a young man sent to prison for stealing money to help pay his floundering family's bills, and a retired racehorse, Black Diamond. Black Diamond was at the top of his form until an injury cut his career short. When he arrives at the prison farm, Black Diamond is upset and cagey, but responds well to Blake, who becomes his caretake More...

Reviewed by Jaglvr for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

BLACK DIAMOND & BLAKE is a beautiful story of trust and friendship.

Black Diamond is a champion racehorse. He receives treats, praises, cheers, and flowers after his many wins. He runs his heart out for his racetrack family. Each race he vows to win for them.

He loses his first race, by just a little, and receives no praise or cheers. After he stumbles in another race and hurts his leg, he hears "Boo" fro More...

I didn't get around to watching Seabiscuit (or reading the book, for that matter), but I'm going to throw caution to the wind here by proclaiming this book Seabiscuit for kids! Beautiful pastel artwork accompanies a moving story about a champion racehorse that is injured after a race. The horse is then sold to a jail as part of a program to help rehabilitate horses and inmates. I know this sounds like a strange premise, but it actually works really, really well.

This is a neat book about a historical issue I never knew about. When race horses were done racing then the horses would be sent to prisons to be cared for. This is a story that shows this piece of history. I thought this was a neat book about history and kindness to animals. Grades 3+

Black Diamond is a winning horse until one day he gets hurt. No one cheers for him anymore so a man buys him and takes him to a prison where the prisoners are going to take care of him. One prisoner, Blake, comes in and is nice to Black Diamond and they become close. When Blake’s time served is up he gets released and has to leave Black Diamond behind. No one else can get Black Diamond to eat or exercise well. Time passes and finally Blake shows up and takes Black Diamond to live with him a More...