Colt

by Nancy Springer

A young boy with a crippling disease learns, through a horseback riding program, to overcome his own anxieties and to help others in dealing with their own problems.

Genres: Horses, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

BIO -- NANCY SPRINGER


Nancy Springer has passed the fifty-book milestone, having written that many novels for adults, young adults and children, in genres including mythic fantasy, contemporary fiction, magical realism, horror, and mystery -- although she did not realize she wrote mystery until she won the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America two years in succession. DARK LIE, recently released from NAL, is her first venture into mass-market psychological suspense.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Nancy Springer moved with her family to Gettysburg, of Civil War fame, when she was thirteen. She spent the next forty-six years in Pennsylvania, raising two children (Jonathan, now 38, and Nora, 34), writing, horseback riding, fishing, and birdwatching. In 2007 she surprised her friends and herself by moving with her second husband to an isolated area of the Florida panhandle, where the birdwatching is spectacular and where, when fishing, she occasionally catches an alligator.

Reviews

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im not disabled. So I can't say I relate to Colts story but it's still an inspiring one none the less

[Fran]

I am really interested in the book. But I hate how the narrator Ed Sala tries to sound like a child and doesn’t. It’s really irritating to me.
If the library had the book and print, I would read it.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a child and it still holds up as an adult.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and read it many, many times.

The author deals with Colt's disabitlity, spina bifida, in a very honset way that has a profound effect on the reader. "In a matter-of-fact style, Springer transforms Colt from a grouchy victim to a likable boy. Despite a debilitating situation, he gains a passion for living. Readers will be affected by his triumphs and failures, changing their initial sympathy for Colt to admiration. " - some reviewer

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Ben is in a reading/quiz program in school this year (Battle of the Books) and this book is on the list. I'm not crazy about this book. It is on the list, I assume, since the main character has spina bifida. That side of the book is beneficial. I wasn't thrilled, however, with the curse words (3) or the disrespect shown to adults. I likely wouldn't be concerned with those things as much if Ben were older but am a little disappointed that our library is having 9 and 10 year olds read this.

[Sara Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good antidote to the "inspirational" genre of writing about people with disabilities (lately termed "inspiration porn"). The main character has dimension and depth; he's not above using his disability to get what he wants, or to avoid the consequences of his behavior.

The details about the nature of the disability are accurate without being overly clinical; they fit naturally into the story without being didactic.

Well done, Ms. Springer.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a really good book. It tells the story of a boy dealing with spina bifida some of the events toward the end however are kinda unrealistic and dumb (like how the hey could his brother break both his legs falling down a steep, non-rocky hill??).

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horse lovers will enjoy this book- It shows how handicaps can be overcome with thinking outside the box. A blended family, learning to take responsibility, and a different breed of horse makes a difference.

[Dawn]

Picked this one up for a light read with Candice (age 8); Candice got bored but I finished the book anyways. It was interesting and I enjoyed the character development, something that is always fun when you see through the eyes of the developing character.

[Cws]

JAR5-Spr

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our youngest brought this book home from school for her class book club. The story is fairly short, but engaging and I know that she was a fan of the major focus on horses in the tale.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Patience comes from being sure of yourself." Alissa really enjoyed this story and was glad Colt could do more andmore things for himself even though he had spina bifida.

[melisa shimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

Amazing book read it I won't spoil it but it is so so so so so so so so awesome