The Summer of the Dancing Horse

by Eth Clifford, Mary Beth Owens (Illustrator)

During the summer of 1923, Bessie and her brothers face special sacrifices when their father must go away for tuberculosis treatments.

114 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Eth Clifford was born in New York City in 1915. She and her husband, David Rosenberg, started David-Stewart Publishing Company. Her first book for children was published in 1959 and since that time she wrote numerous books for children and young adults. She was also known as Eth (or Ethel) Clifford Rosenberg, and as published under the name Ruth Bonn Penn, and with her husband under David Clifford. Eth Clifford died in 2003

Reviews

[Gale · Rating 3 out of 5]

ONE MAGICAL SUMMER FOR A QUAINT LITTLE GIRL

Bessie Kobb was only 8 that summer, and her family was waiting for their father to recover from TB, but she loved some things outside her family: the kindneess of quiet, thoughtful Ben; the golden palomino, who danced to harmonica music; and dreaming about shopping at Rosie's country store for impractical things like Ladies' Gloves. Set in the rural calm of 1923, this short book captures one magical summer for a very young girl, as she encounters the hurried materialism of the summer visitors, who just can't understand the value of honest, hard work to achieve one's goals or loyalty to old friends. No one has the right to destroy her simple pleasures: the anticipation as she chooses her own penny candy, or the joy of dancing beside Pegasus, the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. And for sheer exhilaration, the thrill of "flying" off a short cliff using an umbrella! Yet tragedy strikes and she will never be the same, carefree child again. A simple tale about children--a quietly moving adventure of the juvenile heart.

(April 12, 2010. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)

[Karissa Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly dark ending; I wasn't expecting that. Despite the title this isn't really focused on horses, it's far more of a coming-of-age book. Lots of lessons to be learned. Good for a younger reader, but definitely a more mature one. 4-5th grade perhaps?

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don't mind a hefty dollop of sad, this is a picturesque story of summer in a rural town in 1923, seen through the eyes of an 8-year-old girl. It felt very authentic, and my suspicions that the author may have been drawing on personal experience were somewhat validated when I found out she was born in 1915.

[Kylene · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your 9 year old daughter asks you to read a book so you can discuss it together...you just do. A good story, sad ending.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always have problems with books like these. There can be really boring at the beginning and then be really sad at the end. I hate books where animals die. I’ve never understood why you have to kill the horse if it breaks a leg. I don’t get it. I know nothing about horses but if anyone knows and they could tell me it would be appreciated. Anyway I liked the writing style of this book and I loved the last few pages, I loved the way they were written.
But one problem I did have with this book is that Bessie seemed a lot older than 8. She seemed to think like she was a lot older and for the most part act that way too. Now if I did my math right this book takes place around 1924 so I don’t know if kids acted older back than or not.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this chapter book over and over as a kid/young adult. The family dynamics were eye-opening and the horse bit would draw in any horse lover. Beware of the end, however. There will be tears.

[Haleigh]

i read this a long time ago. i was like, ten. it was a good book.