Run Wild, Run Free

by David Rook

The strange, silent boy who roams the moors is a mystery to everyone. Why doesn't Philip talk? Why does the beautiful wild colt follow him? They seem to have a secret understanding.

But now the colt has vanished. Can Philip find him, or has he lost the only friend he's ever known?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult

205 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1967

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to have a copy of this book years ago but sold it/gave it away. It's also known as The White Colt. See?



There are horses and falconry in this book, set in England at the middle of last century. The movie focused more on the horse and not the falcons. The book does the opposite. The falconry bits were the most memorable parts of an otherwise forgettable book, specially the part where the boy runs along with the falcon dangling upside-down from his arm.



The boy did not notice the (presumably) pissed-off topsy-turvey bird until it is pointed out to him. I suppose today we would call the protagonist "autistic." That term was not around when this was written -- or, at least, not in children's literature.

[Sarah Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely old favorite. This is a beautiful and introspective book that takes place on the atmospheric English moors. It is about a sensitive young man, perhaps autistic, who finds connection to the people who care about him through his love of a white colt. The book builds strong connections of people with place, and a wonderful nuanced relationship between the boy, who is coming of age and the moorman, who tries to make the world a better place, even while facing his own mortality.

[Emily Sheffield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book in a lot of vintage reads and found myself drawn in. The boy in the story goes through such a change and the village around him cheering him on and helping with nature is beautiful.

[Priscilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a lovely book... about relationships between people, their environment and animals. It is full of feelings and emotions and nature. This is a good bed-time story.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction, upper elementary, teen; horse story; from stash, discard

[Stephanie A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in high school. I thought the boy was annoying and weird, and I was so displeased by the insufficient amount of horse content compared to what the cover suggested that it is one of the few old horse books I've ever gotten rid of after purchasing.

[H. Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chronicles of Han Storm Book Club Read (Children)

A very good book, especially for children to help them understand why some people are different from them.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I wished that I could see the movie though.