The Man on the Moon-eyed Horse

by Sid Fleischman, Margaret Chamberlain (Illustrator)

Young Clint's ingenious scheme foils a villainous train wrecker's attempt to rob the circus train.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books

64 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1977

About the author

As a children's book author Sid Fleischman felt a special obligation to his readers. "The books we enjoy as children stay with us forever -- they have a special impact. Paragraph after paragraph and page after page, the author must deliver his or her best work." With almost 60 books to his credit, some of which have been made into motion pictures, Sid Fleischman can be assured that his work will make a special impact.

Sid Fleischman wrote his books at a huge table cluttered with projects: story ideas, library books, research, letters, notes, pens, pencils, and a computer. He lived in an old-fashioned, two-story house full of creaks and character, and enjoys hearing the sound of the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Fleischman passed away after a battle with cancer on March 17, 2010, the day after his ninetieth birthday.

He was the father of Newbery Medal winning writer and poet Paul Fleischman, author of Joyful Noise; they are the only father and son to receive Newbery awards.

Reviews

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me, Sid is always best and funniest when he's in a western and/or hillbilly setting, so this one excels. Riveting stuff, and sure to please any fun-loving child.

[Eva · Rating 3 out of 5]

hette på svenska: "Ett-och-ett-halvt-steg Jackson möter sin överman" (1984)

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it 3 times.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really opened my eyes to Sid Fleishman and his earlier work with it's old west tall-tale style. I really was impressed with this. Fleishman was truly a master of that variety of verbiage. It's short enough that it could be considered at early-reader chapter book, but it has enough depth that is could honestly lead to some engaging analysis with students. My only concern was that the villain tells the young protagonist, Jim, that many of his villainous kin had gone to Hell. For a younger audience, mentioning a word like Hell is paramount to high crime. I hear disapproving whispers when I read books that use words like "stupid" or "hate". I'm pretty sure Hell might cause a full-scale uprising, so I won't be reading this one aloud. Sad, I know, because this is really a great book. I recommend anyone that can stomach one use of the word Hell to pick this up and give it a read. Fleishman could really write an engaging tall tale.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Furnace Flats, Arizona the only excitement is racing tumbleweeds. Clint longs to see the circus that comes through every summer. The circus doesn't really stop in Furnace Flats. The train carrying it just whizzes through, but even that is exciting. This year the train is in great danger. Step-and-a-half Jackson, the train wrecker, is in the area. Clint finds a piece of track missing and goes to tell his grandfather, a telegraph operator at the train station. Step Jackson is at the station talking to Grandfather. Clint gets away and sets out to save the circus train.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com