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On My Own History
Rescue on the Outer Banks
On October 11, 1896, 10-year-old Sam Deal and his horse, Ginger, watch as the brave surfmen of Pea Island struggle to save the lives of nine people stranded on a shipwreck. Sam has dreamt of becoming a surfman just like the all-African-American crew, and this is his chance. Can he and Ginger help the crew rescue the victims, or will they be lost forever?
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 2, 2019
A young boy finally gets his chance to help the surf crew of Pea Island with a rescue mission. In the midst of a terrible storm, he bravely rescues nine people by riding his self-tamed wild horse out into the crashing waves.
Genre: Historical Fiction - Although this story is fictional, it depicts a realistic event that could've happened in the past. The character Richard Etheridge was also a real person that truly was the keeper of the Pea Island Station, America's first ever all-black life-saving crew.
Reading Level: L
Writing Mentor Trait: Organization - This book uses an author's note and afterword to provide additional historical information to enrich the story. This book could serve as an example of how these features can be used to provide the reader with relevant background knowledge that enhances their reading experience.
Other Classroom Uses: This book could be used to inspire students to write about a time when they exhibited their own bravery.
Genre: Historical Fiction - Although this story is fictional, it depicts a realistic event that could've happened in the past. The character Richard Etheridge was also a real person that truly was the keeper of the Pea Island Station, America's first ever all-black life-saving crew.
Reading Level: L
Writing Mentor Trait: Organization - This book uses an author's note and afterword to provide additional historical information to enrich the story. This book could serve as an example of how these features can be used to provide the reader with relevant background knowledge that enhances their reading experience.
Other Classroom Uses: This book could be used to inspire students to write about a time when they exhibited their own bravery.
November 28, 2017
A good kids book about racial prejudice, wild horses, lighthouses and their rescue services, and the origins of the Coast Guard. Part of history I hadn't known.
November 7, 2019
i liked it especially ginger the horse.
May 28, 2025
Interesting history (fiction and nonfiction) as well as a good story!
October 13, 2012
Genre-Junior Books-Historical Fiction
This book is about a 10-year-old-boy, Sam Deal and his horse, Ginger that are struggling to save the men from the shipwreck. Sam has dreamed of being a surfman and this was his chance. He rescued all the victims and no lives were lost thanks to Sam and Ginger.
A. Area of comment- accuracy
B. The accuracy for the story is parallel to this great story. At the beginning of this bok there is an author's note that gives a historical background. The historical fiction book gives a great insight on the story of Pea Island. I never heard of this and was very impressed.
C. On page 8 it exclaims, "Keeper Richard Etheridge lifted the line box from a cart." Richard Etheridge was a former slave and Civil War veteran that lead the lifesaving crew during the real event.
This is a great history curriculum connection. I would use this for my third graders. It's not too long, but has a lot of great historical meaning behind it.
This book is about a 10-year-old-boy, Sam Deal and his horse, Ginger that are struggling to save the men from the shipwreck. Sam has dreamed of being a surfman and this was his chance. He rescued all the victims and no lives were lost thanks to Sam and Ginger.
A. Area of comment- accuracy
B. The accuracy for the story is parallel to this great story. At the beginning of this bok there is an author's note that gives a historical background. The historical fiction book gives a great insight on the story of Pea Island. I never heard of this and was very impressed.
C. On page 8 it exclaims, "Keeper Richard Etheridge lifted the line box from a cart." Richard Etheridge was a former slave and Civil War veteran that lead the lifesaving crew during the real event.
This is a great history curriculum connection. I would use this for my third graders. It's not too long, but has a lot of great historical meaning behind it.
August 1, 2013
This is a nice, easy to read story that introduced the kids to the history of the Outer Banks rescue teams. I read the historical notes to the kids, but I'm not sure the 5 year old really understood that part of the story actually happened and part was made up, and I don't think he was able to understand the information about the African American workers not being treated equally with the white workers, as he really hasn't been introduced to that aspect of our history yet. But he did enjoy the rescue story.
April 8, 2015
Will be taking this book to the Outer Banks to read to my grandchildren. It's an early reader about an all black team that operates one of the light houses. I love historical fiction & hope this book helps my grandchildren learn about the Outer Banks.
March 26, 2010
K/1 Booklegger Fall Program
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews