Bow down, Shadrach

Shadrach Trilogy #1

by Joy Cowley

Shadrach is a very old circus-trained Clysedale horse - and the favourite family pet. When Hannah discovers that Shadrach has been sold to a dog food factory, she decides to mount an heroic rescue and enlists the help of her two younger brothers. From the beginning, their plans go seriously wrong.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Horses

142 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Cassia Joy Cowley is a New Zealand author best known for her children's fiction, including the popular series of books Mrs. Wishy-Washy.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah lives on a farm in the Malborough Sounds South Island NZ with her parents (Sophie & Joe) and her two younger brothers – Mikey & Sky.
They own an old Clydesdale horse who used to be part of a circus act. His name is Shadrach and he’s been trained to turn away when you ask him to look you in the eye, and bow down, bending his knees.

One day after inviting a new girl from school, Hannah commands Shadrach to bow down. He is very old now and arthritic and after he bows down, he rears as part of his trick – but falls sideways and lays on the ground.
He injures himself, prompting Hannah’s parents to discuss how old he is and what will happen to him. To protect their feelings, Hannah’s mum tells them he is going to a retirement home for horses.

But when Hannah discovers the truth, she is determined to save the old horse who is like a member of their family.

Lovely Story. Wish I’d read it years ago. Horse lovers would love it. It made me cry, but I still loved it.

[Sarah Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when I was at primary school and loved it then - totally forgot how sad it was but still adored it - been reading it while feeding my 6 month old daughter :D hope she is as strong willed as Hannah :D

[Jenn Waleed · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite childhood book 😍

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this when I was 7 or 8 and it was my favourite book for years. Re-reading this now, it has lost none of its magic.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it weird that as a boy I really enjoyed this book and the whole trilogy? I can only see women reviewing this book. It was a long time ago that I read it and I have a bad memory, but I still remember elements of this story - like I was fascinated by the brother who was adopted and his narrative across the trilogy... I knew of kids that were adopted and it was these books that gave me new perspective and understanding of what they might be going through. I don't remember proclaiming to my friends that I loved this book though - I guess I am now haha

[Cushla · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite childhood books 🤍🥲

[Chloe Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as fabulous now as it was reading this as a child. Love the raw emotion and story-telling accompanied by an all too real situation everyone goes with regarding pet loss. Chills.

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend suggested I read this and I really enjoyed it. It was a short but absorbing read. I didn't have a chance to get bored, the characters were so interesting and unique yet believable, plus lots was happening all the time. It was well written, with an emphasis on language and storytelling/magic. Hannah and her brothers, Mikey and Sky, all love their old Clydesdale horse Shadrach but he's ancient and their parents Joe and Sophie send him to a dog food factory. This is a warm story about children, love, betrayal, and honesty.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this and all the other books on this shelf to my 9-11 year old pupils every year....despite the 'datedness' of some they are all immensely popular

[Pip · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nine year old daughter read this book twice, and wants to read it to her children. A heart warming story about children rescuing an old clydesdale horse, set in the Marlborough sounds

[Anna McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very very very sad, I would recommend this book to horse lovers and people who like a good cry.

[Kendall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very good read. Some great humour that lightens the mood. Very poignant and moving book.

[Asha Stark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book and a lovely story. Unfortunately I was made to read it at school, and it was much below my reading level so some of the enjoyment was definitely missing.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't even deal with how much I love this book.

[Micky86386 · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book :)