Tennessee Rose

Horse Diaries #9

by Jane Kendall, Jane Kendall

Alabama, 1856. Tennessee Rose is a dark bay Tennessee Walking Horse with a rose-shaped marking on her forehead. She loves dashing around the plantation in the running walk that her breed is famous for, then coming back to her comfortable stall and her friend Levi, the slave boy who is her groom. But as the Civil War approaches, Rosie begins to question plantation life. Is slavery fair? Could Levi be free? Like Black Beauty, this moving novel is told in first person from the horse's point of view and includes an appendix full of photos and facts about Tennessee Walking Horses and the Civil War.

Genres: Horses, Animals, Middle Grade, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[isla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, but I didn't like that there was slaves.

[SFrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give the book more stars I would. Ms. Kendall's ability to craft a story is amazing. Of all the 14 Horse Diaries, I enjoyed this one the most.
The illustrations were done by Ruth Sanderson, who has a keen sense of the time, place and location, not to mention the textual effect they add to each book in the series.

[Emory Ivie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series that I well-enjoyed during my younger years, and when I was about seven years old it was my ultimate favorite. We all loved the story of Black Beauty, and this series has the same idea - a horse telling its own story during the historical time it lives. There are so many books to read in this series, and though they don't need to be read in order, as each novel presents new characters with new conflicts, but they take place in the order of the historical time. It's really cool for a young kid to be able to read the thoughts of a horse through a fictional book and learn more about the breed it highlights and the history centered around the breed's origin.

These books are absolutely wonderful and very informative. After the entertaining story, there is a little section in the back that teaches about the breed and its uses during a specific time period. They are clean, entertaining, and such a great read for any 7 to 10-year-old child. If you love horses and history, be sure to check out Horse Diaries!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book to tackle the issue of slavery with younger children. In a short span you learn about the unfair and cruel treatment of slaves. You learn about how even horses were treated better. How they had no rights. How they had to fear for their lives and safety. Etc.
And it opens the doors to explore more into the subject. The war, slavery, underground railroad, racism, what it all means in today's world, etc.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it has adventure, a daring rescue for Tennessee Rose and Levi. The characters took many risks in this book. I also like that Tennessee Rose tells the story and not the author. I think Tennessee Rose is very brave in this book. This is why I think this is a wonderful book and can inspire many other people to be brave.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whinny Whinny Neigh Neigh.

🖊 Nicely written as a pastiche to Anna Sewell's Black Beauty, and that is it.

જ⁀🟣 Kindle.
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[DEBORRAH J SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SLAVE BOY AND HIS HORSE

I really loved the adventures in this book. There were happy and sad moments in this book and you never new when it was going to happen. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read about horses.

[Gerri Leen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, to be honest. But I'm still enjoying the series.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book because it focused more on historical references than a story about the horse.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit heavier on description than story, but still well done.

[Lily Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Tennessee Walkers. The illustrations are magnificent! Sometimes I just enjoy just looking through the pictures. They really capture the personality of the breed.

[Mary Skramovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 9th book in the Series.
Tennessee Rose is a Tennessee Walking Horse who is raised in the South just before the Civil War. Her mother has been sold and she is befriended by a slave boy Levi who becomes her groom. Levi’s mother and baby sister have both been sold. Levi promises Rose that he will not abandon her and the two form a special bond. The Civil War breaks out and Rose and Levi are sent into battle and The Captain who owns both of them. The Captain is killed and Rose and Levi join the Union Army. This is a great book for teaching kids about the Civil War and is told through the eyes of the horse. The author includes background information about Tennessee Walking Horses as well as a brief history of Slavery and the Civil War

[Jennifer Priester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I like the horses story, being based on historical events just made it a little boring for me as I am not, and have never been, interested in too many historical events. However, I would like to read more of the books in this series, because I love the first person viewpoint and I really believe that I will like some books more than this one based on time period and other events taking place.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair. I've enjoyed this series, but this was a letdown for one particular reason: The absence of Ruth Sanderson's lovely illustrations. This one WAS illustrated, but compared to Sanderson's gorgeous artwork in some of the previous volumes of the series, Astrid Sheckels' pictures were lackluster at best.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tennessee Rose is a Tennessee Walking Horse living in the south just before the Civil War. She loves to practice her running walk that these horses are famous for. Levi, a young slave is her groom and she loves it when he spends time with her. As war looms, the horse wonders what the future will hold for her. And for Levi.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series - so far. I think the author attempts to grapple with the complexities of slavery/southern culpability, but ultimately fails to do so in an effective way. To be fair, presenting this issue in an age appropriate manner is very difficult. However, if an author does attempt a complex subject like the Civil War, I expect more honesty and less white washing.

[Culleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting point of view...enjoyed hearing the story from the horse's view. Very well written. Good children's book.

[Hillvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

890L. 6 yo review: Kind of sad, because both mothers are taken away, but it ended up all happy.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

my child enjoyed the series!

[Natalie]

It's a good book, and I have read it several times.

[Skylar Newbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to have been by far the best horse diaries book, and I am not just saying that because I am a Civil War buff. To me, this book just seems the most realistic, and not far fetched.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is so historic