A Hundred Horses
By Barbara Schultz,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Magical, emotional adventure story great for tween girls.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
Before the events of A HUNDRED HORSES, 11-year-old Nell's father abandoned his wife and child. Now, Nell must attend afterschool classes (which she doesn't like) while mom Cathy works full-time. When Cathy must attend a work-related conference during a school break, she sends Nell to stay with Aunt Liv and younger cousins Gem and Alfie on their farm. There, city kid Nell meets pigs, chickens, and mud. Then she's almost trampled by a galloping horse, whose mysterious rider is involved in unexplained disappearances, and also with the legend of a hundred horses.
Is It Any Good?
To an adult, A Hundred Horses gets off to a slow, predictable start, with the troubled city girl sent to visit a farm where fresh air and hard work will set her straight. That happens, but there's also a lot of magic and mystery: Angel's story, the legend of the hundred horses, and the connection between humans and animals. As the plot and characters deepen, the story grows more beautiful and uplifting. This emotional book is a marvelous find, especially for girls who love horses.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Familes can talk about why books about horses are so popular, especially with girls. How is A Hundred Horses similar to or different from other horse books you've read?
The theme of the city kid sent to the country -- or vice versa -- is a common one, usually with lots of life lessons. Has this happened to you, or to someone you know? How did things turn out?
How does Nell come to see things differently as the story unfolds? Do you find this change of viewpoint believable? Why or why not?
Book Details
- Author: Sarah Lean
- Genre: Emotions
- Topics: Friendship, Horses and Farm Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date: January 7, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 224
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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