The intriguing cover introduces the two main characters of this pleasing tale of discovery.
Trendsetter, born in the Netherlands, shows a lot of promise as a young colt. His ability to jump is what brings him attention. He eventually ends up in Austria at a riding school where the famous Lippizaner stallions are trained. All does not go well when Trendy doesn’t bond with his young handler, Charles-Isaac. The boy can be cruel and impatient.
On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean is Sarah, a seventh grader at a private school in New York City. Her love of horses is overshadowed by an embarrassing problem she hides: Sarah struggles with spelling.
The third person narration over 13 chapters parallels each of their struggles. You just know somehow these two will find each other. How that happens makes for a wonderful story, especially for horse lovers.
THE FLYING HORSE is a quick read that will leave you wanting more.
FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE FLYING HORSE by Sarah Maslin Nir
- I grew up around horses but learned so much more about them in this story. Great details about their personality and how they differ from human physiology and anatomy. Did you know horses can’t throw up?
- Each of the chapters stays with either Trendsetter or Sarah. It’s a perfect way to tell each of their stories and heritage.
- The lyrical and often poetic narrative had me going back more than once to read some of the beautifully composed lines.
- The compelling authors note should not be missed. Here you will find that Trendsetter really does exist as does his owner.
- This is the beginning of a series about horses. Next up is The Jockey and Her Horse, inspired by Cheryl White, the first Black female jockey.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Maslin Nir is a staff reporter for The New York Times. Nir was a Finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for “Unvarnished,” her more than yearlong investigation into New York City’s nail salon industry that documented the exploitative labor practices and health issues manicurists face. Before becoming a staff reporter, Nir freelanced for eleven sections of the paper, traveling to the Alaskan wilderness in search of people who prefer to live in isolation, and to post-earthquake Haiti. She began as the New York Times’s nightlife columnist, covering 252 parties in 18 months, and continued on to a career that has taken her from covering kidnappings by terrorists in Benin, West Africa, to wildfires in California, and everything in between. A born and raised Manhattanite, Nir earned a masters at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, and graduated from Columbia University, where she studied politics and philosophy. She is the author of Horse Crazy. She loves horses.
You can find more about Sarah on her Twitter page.
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Comments are welcome below…
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Always in the Middle... 
Horse stories are popular with kids. This one sounds interesting with the dual POVs. Thanks for sharing this book this week.
I know a lot of kids who are horse mad! Sounds a sweet story, and I am very intrigued to see how they meet!
Love horse stories and one of my favorite shows on Netflix is “Heartland,” because I’ve learned a wealth of information about horses. My great granddaughter is a horsewoman and competes all over the country. She’s 16. Would this book appeal to teens? Wow, the author certainly has a fascinating worldly career! Her story alone would be interesting to read.
Although the story is intended for 8-12 year olds, the protagonist is in 7th grade and the plot would appeal to any horse lover. I sure enjoyed it and I think your granddaughter would, too.
Yes, I love Heartland, too. AND I know absolutely nothing about horses. I find them fascinating, though. Thanks for the recommendation, Greg!
This sounds like a unique take on horse stories. I haven’t read a true horse story in years. Maybe I will give this one a try. Thanks for the review.
a perfect book for a horse lover!