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Read all of Walter Farley's Black Stallion books in the 4th and 5th grades. I loved every one of them, and a black horse was a huge part of most of my imaginary play at home (Barbie always rode a horse...it was very awkward with those long, stiff legs, but she tried valiantly). Farley skillfully weaves hundreds of facts and bits of information about horses throughout each book. Children learn about horse breeding and different breeds, care and feeding, equine anatomy and terminology, horse racing and the Triple Crown...all within exciting and captivating stories about horses and their boy*. Great books for any child remotely interested in horses. *All boys, no girls...after all, it was the 50's and 60's, and horse racing was a man's world. I never minded a bit that my protagonist was always a boy, and this never impeded my own imagination, as it never occurred to me that I was not just as capable in every way as Alec Ramsey. It does now, however prickle, ever so slightly, my sensitivities regarding gender bias. I hear Farley's son continued writing The Black Stallion books into the 70's and 80's and began incorporating girls into the leading roles. Good.

2023-07-08 09:34