Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Moving story of a horse and boy has anti-war message.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say the book presents a moving anti-war narrative through the perspective of a horse, showcasing themes of loyalty, love, and the horrors of war. While many reviews highlight its emotional depth and storytelling, others criticize it for being boring and lacking excitement, leading to mixed opinions on its suitability for younger readers.
- emotional narrative
- anti-war themes
- mixed reviews
- unique perspective
- suitable for tweens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Joey, a red-bay colt, is sold to an English farmer, whose son, Albert, raises the horse and teaches him to work their family farm. After World War I breaks out, Albert's father sells Joey to the army in order to pay the mortgage on his farm. Joey is forced to carry riders into battle, and pull artillery and carts full of wounded soldiers. As Joey struggles to survive, Albert never stops hoping they will be reunited.
Is It Any Good?
War Horse holds special appeal for horse lovers, who will care deeply about Joey's plight as he is pushed and pulled between the humans fighting World War I. The novel offers a unique perspective on the hardships endured by war horses, and the emotional and physical needs of horses in general. Because the novel is offered from a horse's point of view, however, human relationships within the book are less satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to write a wartime book from the perspective of a horse. What does Joey tell us about war? Does Joey understand why he is taught to perform the tasks he does? Does anyone in the war?
Steven Spielberg decided to make War Horse into a movie. Can you see why? Why do you think war movies are popular with audiences?
Joey and Albert have a close relationship. Why does Joey mean so much to Albert?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Inc.
- Publication date : April 1, 2007
- Number of pages : 172
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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