The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker illustrated by Jon Klassen

Compassionate and complex. Kirkus Star review

Occupied France, 1944. Lucas Dubois lives in an abbey orphanage. There are rule and constraints but Lucas has some freedom because he works as a delivery boy for a local town greengrocer. Once his deliveries are completed he can enjoy a little free time and some fishing but on this day he sees two of the older orphanage boys stuffing some kittens into a sack. 

"When Marcel cinched the sack, Lucas squeezed his eyes shut. There was nothing he could do, either. Two against one; the two known to relish brawls. Lucas famous for running from them."

But not this time. Lucas follows the boys the bridge. He desperately tries to bargain with these bullies and hands over his precious fishing lure "but Claude didn't hand over the sack. He swung it out toward the canal and let go. Then both boys ran off laughing."

Perhaps all is not lost. Lucas grabs the bag and yes he saves all but one kitten but what will he do with the five that are left? There is an abandoned stable up in the hills above the town. To get there he has to ride past the Nazi maternity home - this is a place he visits regularly with his deliveries. On arrival at the stable Lucas makes an amazing, and life-changing, discovery. There is a horse in the stable and a girl. Alice is hiding her racehorse because:

"The Germans issued orders ... All healthy horses are to be seized for the war effort. They don't mean the racing horses still here - the Germans love their horse facing too much. But Bia doesn't race, so they would take her. They would probably use her to move artillery in Poland where the roads are gone until she was wounded or dropped dead of exhaustion. Then the soldiers would eat her."

The lives of these two kids in occupied France now collide. Lucas needs help to keep the kittens alive and safe; Alice needs Lucas to keep Bia, her horse, a secret; and then there is the further twist when Lucas steps in to help the local resistance movement helping Mme Garnier headhouse keeper at Lebensborn. 

"Lucas lay wide awake that night. Beneath his pillow was a slip of paper Mme Garnier had dropped. She had been so afraid of those Germans discovering this paper that it could mean only one thing: She was in the Resistance and it was a secret message."

As expected, this all puts Lucas in grave danger - this tension will keep you turning the pages of The Lions' Run desperately hoping Lucas, Alice, Bia and those kittens will all survive. Do NOT flip to the end of the book - the ending you will arrive at is unexpected and more.

This is the second book where I have read about the Lebensborn.

"to be accepted, the pregnant girls must pass all these tests. Not just blue eyes and blonde hair. They measure their heads, they measure the space between their eyes, everything. It's called 'Aryan,' what they're breeding for. Some with the men, the fathers ... Two blonde parents are most likely going to have blonde children."

Adding to all the complexities of this story - Lucas meets and talks with Clare, one of the young pregnant girls. As an orphan himself he is so dismayed when he hears that her baby will be taken away and she will never see him again. 

This immersive story is driven by Lucas’ emotional yearnings and the sometimes complicated relationships among the well-drawn characters, ... the history and the specific setting are accurate and carefully delineated, creating a strong sense of place. Kirkus Star review

... this a book the reader won’t be able to put down. Historical Novel Society

Pennypacker’s tale feels both relevant and necessary. She captures the idea that bravery doesn’t always look grand or heroic; sometimes it’s found in the smallest, most private choices. A Book a Week

Please read this interview of Sara Pennypacker by Betsy Bird. The Lions' run is available in hardcover for a really good price here in Australia (shop around I've seen this book between AUS$18 and AUS$25) so I highly recommend you add this book to your library collection. The cover by Jon Klassen is perfect - you need to stretch it out to see the front and back images together. Listen to an audio sample of Chapter 5 and you can read chapters one and two here.

There are so many books for readers aged 10+ about aspects of World War II but I highly recommend you consider adding this one to your school library. The story is a powerful one and yet also very personal. Lucas is an orphan and this drives his desire to firstly help the kittens and later the baby. Alice is wise beyond her years and a character to cherish. The important work of the resistance is woven into this story and this adds a very real layer of tension. (Click the label Resistance Fighters at the bottom of this post to find other books that explore the heroism of people who worked so hard to thwart the enemy). 

Companion books:

Waiting for the Storks

All the Beautiful Things

Faceless

Birdie

I am a huge fan of Sara Pennypacker.

Pax; Pax: The Journey Home

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Leeva at Last

Sparrow Girl

Storm Horse by Nick Garlick

 

Flip lives in Amsterdam with his father. Some years ago, his mother left the family because Flip's father refused to give up his thieving. One evening the police arrive at their door and Flip is told his father has died. Shortly afterwards his taciturn uncle arrives, Flip has never met this man before but within hours he is taken to live with his uncle, aunt and young cousin on a remote island.

Not long after his arrival on the island there is a wild storm and the men of the town race to man the lifeboats. Sadly, they are not able to save this farmer who was taking his horses to a different island, but one horse does manage to swim close to the shore. It is Flip who finds this horse that has become badly tangled in ropes. Flip is terrified and he cannot swim but he somehow manages to rescue the horse and from that moment a special bond is formed between this pair. But there are many more things that threaten this relationship including three boys who are determined to torment young Flip. Luckily there are a couple of wonderful adults in this story - Mr Bouten who is a farm hand and his wonderful Aunt. Flip also makes two wonderful young friends - his cousin little Renske and the Ghost Girl. The Ghost Girl is not a ghost - she is a young girl named Sophie so is deeply mourning her own loss - the death of her father. Her grief means she has become a selective mute. 

If you can find this book and you want to share it with a horse loving reader or a group of students, I suggest you could read Chapter 37 as a part of your book talk. The rescue by Storm of the lifeboat horses is a gripping and wild scene. 

Sadly, this book is out of print, but I was able to borrow a copy from a library where I work as a volunteer at The Children's Hospital Westmead. I began reading this book on the train this morning and devoured the first 63 pages, then on the train and bus coming home I finished off the last pages - 220 in total. This story consumed me today and I could hardly wait for my trip home so I could rejoin Flip and his beautiful horse Storm. One way I search for books in this library is by publisher. They often add books published by Chicken House and they never disappoint. While the print version of this book is out of print the ebook is available.  Barry Cunningham from Chicken House often writes a short message at the beginning of his books. In this one he said "I love wild places and animal stories so when I read this exciting tale of a boy, horse, remote island and unexpected friends, I was nearly carried away into the surf and dangerous seas myself. But I had no worries because Nick Garlick is a clever and compassionate storyteller - although watch out he's got a wild side too."

Overall, a solid horse book with the bonus of a male protagonist. Kirkus

Listen to an audio sample here of chapter one. There are some really useful extra details on the author webpage including videos of lifeboat horses and a short but terrific trailer. Nick Garlick was born in the UK but now lives in the Netherlands. Here is the Dutch cover:

Lucy and Cooper by Mandy Foot

Lucy loves her horse - Smudge. She has had him since he was a young horse and she was a tiny girl but Lucy is growing bigger and Smudge is growing older. Smudge is a small horse - too small for Lucy to ride and Smudge is finding it hard to move quickly. He can no longer manage to jump the way he used to. Pa has a new horse for Lucy. He is named Copper. Lucy does not want to ride this new horse but Copper has had a hard life. He needs her love and attention. Can Lucy learn to love Copper too?

This story gently covers themes of loss, change, memory, letting go and the animal human connection. The water colours and muted landscape backgrounds are very appealing. Lucy’s father is gentle and patient allowing Lucy to reach her own decision about her old and loved horse Smudge and the new arrival, Copper. Both horses have beautifully expressive faces. There’s a sense of tranquillity in the images and narrative. The past is portrayed using illustrations which are presented like photographs – snapshots of memories. Horse lovers will enjoy this book with its realistic and engaging story and predicament of saying goodbye and hello.  I agree with the comment on the back cover which say-  this is a story to warm the heart of every animal lover. 

The illustrations are presented in a variety of formats from full page, to spreads across double pages, and in small frames and as sequences. The water colours and muted backgrounds are very appealing.  

I have a Pinterest collection with over 90 novels and picture books for the horse lover in your family. Mandy Foot draws her horse characters in this book with great skill and sensitivity.  Here is her web site.When you dip into her pages you will discover Smudge is a real pony and he was the model for her book. Take a look at my post from 2019 about horses in Picture Books. 

The Forest of Moon and Sword by Amy Raphael

My advance copy of The Forest of Moon and Sword says this book is "a thrilling adventure" and I totally agree.

It is the years of the witch trials. Any woman can be accused and the measure of guilt - float (you are a witch) or drown (the woman is not a witch but she is of course now dead).  King James has sent Witchfinder Matthew Hopkins across the country to find and execute all witches. Yes there are trials but no woman is ever found innocent. 

As this story opens we meet Art Flynt and her mother. The soldiers have arrived and mother is carried away with five other women. Art hides until all is safe and then she reads a letter from her mother that tells her to leave Scotland and travel through England to Essex and the town of Manningtree. She must arrive before the summer solstice - this will be the day of the witch trials.

Now the long journey begins. With only her precious horse called Lady, Art sets off to rescue her mother. 

The Forest of Moon and Sword is such an engrossing book. The action is fast paced, the relationships are important and special and there are twists and turns to leave you gasping and also desperately hoping Art can reach her mother in time. The final scenes where Art breaks into the fortified castle where the women are held are especially thrilling. This debut book by Amy Raphael (middle grade) will be published in January 2021.

"Amy has created the perfect middle-grade concoction: dark adventure, friendship and a race-against-time plot, fuelled by love; as well as a fierce female protagonist who knows her own strength and who isn’t afraid to wield a sword! I’m hugely excited to be launching Amy Raphael into the children’s market with this very special book." The Book Seller

I would pair this book with these:

Fire Girl

Fire Witch

Pal and Sal - Pal the pony series by R.A. Herman

Easy Fiction Treasure

In my experience the main fans of books about horses and horse riding are very young girls. There are plenty of middle grade novels and some good non fiction books on this topic but I get so many requests for books about horses and horse riding from children who are just gaining confidence with reading. 

Four of these Pal the Pony titles are out of print but you can still buy Pal the Pony. The stories are heart-warming and they are absolutely perfect for young readers who love horses. Here is the newer cover:

Pal the Pony Publisher blurb:

Pal the Pony is the smallest pony at the rodeo! He’s upset because he can’t do what the big horses can do. But he discovers there is one thing he’s better at than anyone else on the ranch.

Pal and Sal Publisher blurb:

Every day, Billy rides Pal to school. Then Pal waits alone, while Billy plays with his school friends. If only Pal had a friend, too?.Our favorite pony rides again in this easy-to-read sequel to Pal the Pony.

There were five books in the Pal the Pony series - Pal the Pony; Pal and Sal; Pal and Sal's new friend; Pal and Sal to the rescue; and Pal the Pony saves the day.

I was excited to discover these books were illustrated by our Australian illustrator Betina Ogden. Betina is the illustrator of one of my most treasured books - A Rabbit Named Harris. She also illustrated a beautiful anthology of pet stories "Can I keep him?" which you might find in an Australian Primary school library.

Here is another series of books you could look for on this topic:

The Mystery at Stormy Point by Tracey Corderoy

Horse riding fans will adore the early chapters of The Mystery at Stormy Point. Bryony is completing in the Three Coves Gymkhana. She has her dream horse called Red and some good, horse loving, friends in her team.

"Red stood very well as Bryony got him ready to be bathed. First, she picked out any bits in his hoofs, then curry-combed and dandy-brushed his coat to get out any mud. She also used a wide-toothed mane comb on his mane and tail. 
'Oh and we mustn't forget your little star,' she said, finally drawing the dandy brush over the small white star between Red's eyes. Red breathed out and his warm breath on the back of her hand made Bryony's heart melt. She closed her eyes wanting to remember this moment for ever."

There is a lighthouse in the town but it has been empty for many years. One day Bryony sees a light coming from the lighthouse and later she meets a lady called Lavender. Some developers have plans to change the lighthouse into a resort. This may mean the lighthouse itself is demolished. Lavender Jones lived in the Stormy Point lighthouse as a child. She is sure her late father is still the owner but any papers that can prove this have long ago been lost.

Bryony now has two missions. She wants to win the gymkhana and save the lighthouse. However, Bryony has a serious rival - a girl called Georgina and it is Georgina's father who seems to be behind the plans to remodel the lighthouse. Perhaps he has the papers that can prove the true ownership.

You may have guessed I picked up this book because I saw a lighthouse on the cover. I adore lighthouses but I have to say the lighthouse itself is not the main feature of the plot. This is really a book for horse riding fans and for children who enjoy a light mystery story with a determined hero - Bryony.

The Mystery at Stormy Point is the second book in the series Seaview Stables Adventures but I am happy to report The Mystery at Stormy Point can stand alone. There are three books in the series so far.

Take a look at Tracey's web site. I have already talked about Shifty McGifty and Just Right for Two on this blog.

Horses in picture books

Illustration by Catherine Rayner. Read an interview here.

I am working with a young reading student at the moment and horse riding is her passion. She is experiencing difficulty with reading but when the text is about horses and competitions her reading greatly improves.  Here are a few of the books we have been reading together. 

You can see some older books here for example Pony Club by Gwenda Turner was published in 1998. Bertie at the Horse Show was published in 1996. Even though both of these books are over twenty years old they are perfect for a young horse lover. Perhaps this is another reason to think carefully before culling a library collection. The topic of horses is a perennial favourite with young children and books on this topic are always needed. For my student I needed books where the text is simple. I was happy to find these four books because they also have the most glorious illustrations. 

I have a Pinterest collection with other titles about riding, care of horses and of course children who love horses. You will also find some excellent titles in this collection by Megan Daley.

Readers will almost feel the wind in their hair and hear the thunder of hooves as they are inspired to pursue their dreams. Beautiful. Kirkus Star review

Read more about the inspiration behind this very beautiful book.

Leroy Ninker saddles up by Kate DiCamillo illustrated by Chris van Dusen

Filled with love and kindness and 

glorious sweet-talk: 

“Yippee-i-oh.” Kirkus

This book and the others in the series have been in our school library since 2015 but for some reason I had not read one even though I am a HUGE fan of Kate DiCamillo.

As I search for junior novels for children in Grades 1 and 2, I picked up Leroy Ninker Saddles up at my local bookstore.  This is another gem from Kate and it is an ideal book for those younger children who want a laugh or two and a very satisfying story.  Leroy Ninker works at the drive in theater in the concession stand.  Yes you will need to talk about the very first sentence - but this is the joy of reading - to share places and ideas beyond the known world of the child.  Leroy sells drinks and makes buttered popcorn and for him the world is a 'Yippie-i-oh' place except for one thing.  Leroy longs to be a cowboy.  He has the hat, boots and lasso but, as the delightfully named Beatrice Leapaleoni, points out, he needs a horse.

Leroy sees an advertisement :

"Horse for sale ... Old but good. Very exceptionally cheap."

Good readers will see two key words here - old and cheap but all Leroy can see is a horse.  He does not think about where the horse will live or what the horse will eat he just sets off on foot making an all day journey to the home of the horse.  Beatrice tells him to "Take fate in your hands" and "wrestle it to the ground."  She also tells him to check the teeth and hooves. 

Along the way Leroy decides his horse will be called Tornado - Yippie-i-oh!  But when he arrives the woman who owns the horse, Patty LeMarque, tells him the horse is named Maybelline.  I can see Kate DiCamillo smiling when she decided on that name, such a contrast with the horse of Leroy's imagination.

Patty explains there are three things about Maybelline. 

"she is the kind of horse who enjoys the heck out of a compliment. You gotta talk sweet to Maybelline."

"she is a horse who eats a lot of grub ... A. Lot. Of. Grub."

"Maybelline is the kind of horse who gets lonesome quick.  ... Do not leave Maybelline alone for long or you will live to rue and regret the day."

Leroy has not really been listening to all these instructions. When he climbs on the horse he is filled with joy and distractions.  "The colors were deeper. The sun shone brighter. The birds sang more sweetly."

Every young reader will see disaster is just around the corner but not little Leroy - his is such a happy optimist.

Here is a link to Kate's web site.  Listen to the first chapter.  We first meet Leroy in the Mercy Watson series.  In this video Kate talks about her Mercy Watson series and how she then went on to write this series Tales from Deckawoo Drive.  Take a look at this review in the School Library Journal. It will absolutely convince you this is a perfect little book.

Mrs Whitlam by Bruce Pascoe

"I looked at the huge, hairy feet of the horse."

"Every now and then I could feel her soft rubbery lips and whiskers just touch my ear."

"She needed to be loved, this great heavy-footed horse. And I could love her."


I am reading the NSW School Magazine Bookshelf titles. I have mentioned these in previous posts. These are always interesting lists and often lead me to discover some terrific books.  Mrs Whitlam is on the Touchdown list for this year.  It is the perfect book for young horse lovers.

Marnie is given this precious horse but at the same time she has to endure racial discrimination in her small town. This is a short book with 75 pages but along with care of the horse, Marnie rescues a small child from a raging river, makes a new unexpected friend and she learns the importance of staying true to yourself.

There are some teaching notes available from the publisher web site.


Strong themes of place, family and country pulse through the book. Marnie’s narrative voice is smooth and natural on the page. There’s not one affected word to be found throughout the prose. It’s a highly enjoyable adventure ideal for middle readers.

The war that saved my life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

If I could walk, maybe Mam wouldn't be so ashamed of me.  Maybe we could disguise my crippled foot.  

Maybe I could leave the room ... 

That's what happened, though not in the way I thought it would. 

This book is really only suitable for the most mature readers at my school but I do hope I can put in into the hands of a senior student who finds this poignant tale as engrossing as I did.

This is another one of those books that I started one night and almost finished in one sitting - not bad for 314 pages.

Perhaps you have read the classic story Goodnight Mister Tom.  The war that saved my life follows the same historical period and evacuation experience of children sent from London to stay in rural England.

Ada has been born with a club foot.  Her ignorant and abusive mother did not allow any medical intervention when Ada was a tiny baby.  She regards Ada as a cripple and stupid.  Children are being evacuated all over London.  Ada decides she and her younger brother Jamie must leave.  They board a train filled with children bound for Kent.  Reluctantly a lady called Susan Smith takes in the two children.  Very, very gradually the three form a strong bond but for Ada the most special part of her new life is the pony in the field beside the house.  Ada's care of the pony called Butter and her determination to learn how to ride and jump, mirror the persistence and care of Susan and gradually Ada, Jamie and Susan form a little family unit.

There are several very violent scenes in this book especially early in the story when Ada is locked in a small cupboard by her abusive mother.  While I do highly recommend this book I feel it is only suitable for mature students.

It is very easy to tell the author adores horses.  This is the scene when Ada meets Butter for the first time :

"I toddled and stumbled.  Everything hurt.  The pony watched me.  When I reached the stone wall I sat on it and swung my legs over to the other side.  The pony stepped toward me, lowered his head, sniffed my hands, and pressed his neck against me. I put my arms around him.  I understood how he go his name.  He smelled like butter in the hot sun."

Here is the Kirkus review.  Here is a video interview with the author.  Here is a detailed review in the School Library Journal.  Here is an excellent set of teaching notes from the publisher.  I also found a sample of the audio book which runs for ten minutes.

You might also enjoy Carrie's war, An elephant in the garden, Children of the King or Vinnie's war by David McRobbie.  Mosst importantly though, when you have read The war that saved my life you must read Goodnight Mr Tom.

A home for Teasel by Margi McAllister

I am not a horse person and as a young child I did not read 'horse stories' unlike many in my peer group. I preferred stories about dogs.  Perhaps this means I don't arrive at A Home for Teasel with any huge expectations. 

This truly is a book for a young horse lover.  The beginning half is a little slow and the ending while satisfying is utterly predictable but I am sure girls especially will adore Teasel and admire the common sense and horse sense of her new friend Gwen. 

Gwen wants a pony.  Her family seem uninterested and firmly say no.  Gwen will not be defeated.  She takes on part time jobs in the hope she can save enough money to buy a horse of her own.  As the story opens she is about to start a new job shopping and doing small chores for an elderly local lady called Mrs Tilney (Arabella).  On her first visit, after buying a bag of organic carrots, Gwen discovers the beautiful Teasel is living in a paddock behind the house. Teasel is the horse and of course the carrots are for her.

"In the beam of torchlight stood a golden pony. With her pale coat and a fringe of mane above her dark eyes, she shone in the halo of light like a little horse in one of Gwen's long ago fairy stories. She was too wonderful to be true ... Gwen watched the large eyes in the elegant face .. she had never seen anything so lovely."

One aspect of this writing that I did enjoy was the inclusion of Teasel's own thoughts and insights into her human companions.   Teasel has been treated very roughly in the past and so needs the gentle care of Mrs Tilney and Gwen so she can regain her trust in humans.  Here is a review that explains a little more of the plot.