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To Race a Dream
In 1906, fifteen-year-old Theodora disguises herself as a boy to pursue her dream of becoming a race horse driver
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 1994
About the author
Deborah Savage
25 books4 followersDeborah Savage is the author of a number of books for young adults, including, Summer Hawk, winner of the Boston Authors Award for young adult literature 2000, To Race a Dream, and Under a Different Sky, which School Library Journal called in a starred review "endlessly fascinating and appealing." She lives in western Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 4, 2014
This stoy about a teenage girl chasing her (at the time she's living impossible) dream in the shadow of her sick sister is one of my all time favourites. There is something about it that captivates you and urges you to keep reading.
If you love horses, you can relate.
If you've ever felt shadowed by an older sibling, you can relate.
If you dream of the impossible, you can relate.
With it's complex relationships and truthful as well as captivating story, I have to say that this is my absolute favourite book. I read it over, and over, and over again and it just keeps getting better! I first read it when I was 11, and since then it has become my go-to-book, one that I read at least once every year. I don't know what else to say. It's great!!
If you love horses, you can relate.
If you've ever felt shadowed by an older sibling, you can relate.
If you dream of the impossible, you can relate.
With it's complex relationships and truthful as well as captivating story, I have to say that this is my absolute favourite book. I read it over, and over, and over again and it just keeps getting better! I first read it when I was 11, and since then it has become my go-to-book, one that I read at least once every year. I don't know what else to say. It's great!!
June 9, 2024
I first read this booth when I was in the 5th grade it was one of my favorites, I have recently decided to reread my childhood favorite books are a break from others I am reading and this book lived up to my memory, it's more than a horse book there is a woman suffrage, dreams, first love, sibling jealousy and reconnection. A great book.
February 23, 2023
One of my favorite books as a teen. Finally found it again a few years ago (after searching for the story with no clue as to the title, author or main character's name!) It's even more meaningful as an adult!!!
April 21, 2008
Summary: Theo is a thoughtful fifteen year-old girl with a penchant for writing and an overwhelming desire to race horses. As a young woman in the 1930s, however, Theo has little hope of achieving this dream. Theo relishes the location of her new home, which is right near the racetrack where the celebrity horse Dan Patch trains at the ranch of the mythical Mr. Savage. The family has recently moved to this small town in order to be closer to Theo's sister, Claudia. Claudia, unlike Theo, has every hope of realizing her dream of becoming a professional violinist. Theo can't help but feel that her family continually looks through her rather than acknowledge her own talents and needs.
As the school year draws to a close, Theo becomes close to Carl, a young Sweedish immigrant with a job on Mr. Savage's ranch. Carl admires Theo's writing and her passion for horses, and encourages her to take a job with Mr. Savage. To obtain the job, Theo disguises herself as a boy and lies to her parents about how she is earning money. As Theo chases her own dream, shocking events impede Claudia's pursuit of her own passion. As Theo comes to terms with her sister, she begins to fall in love with Carl, and watches her own dream change shape even as she chases it.
My review:
It is a very sad story at the beginning, but soon, it will become a pretty cool book to read!
Anyone who adores horses like me, will love this book, and i mean it! It is a awesome book!
As the school year draws to a close, Theo becomes close to Carl, a young Sweedish immigrant with a job on Mr. Savage's ranch. Carl admires Theo's writing and her passion for horses, and encourages her to take a job with Mr. Savage. To obtain the job, Theo disguises herself as a boy and lies to her parents about how she is earning money. As Theo chases her own dream, shocking events impede Claudia's pursuit of her own passion. As Theo comes to terms with her sister, she begins to fall in love with Carl, and watches her own dream change shape even as she chases it.
My review:
It is a very sad story at the beginning, but soon, it will become a pretty cool book to read!
Anyone who adores horses like me, will love this book, and i mean it! It is a awesome book!
February 7, 2021
I read this in middle school, I think, and loved it. This is one of my favorite books.
I had my mom buy me this for Christmas several years ago.
I loved that this was about a girl who wanted to become a jockey, so she actually dresses as a boy so she’ll be able to ride on a neighboring farm.
I remember the boy in here saying she won’t be able to dress as a boy for long, or something like that, and then looking at her chest.
Her sister was a violinist, I think, and she comes down with polio, and has to give up her career.
The boy in here was a farmer, and/or his dad was a farmer, and I think they were a different nationality or something, like Polish or Swedish. I seem to remember her and the guy walking along a road, to someone’s house or farm.
There was this guy who worked at the horse farm she rode horses at, too.
They go to a fair, and they’re sitting in the back of a wagon, and her sister is laying there and talking to the boy, and the main character gets jealous& mad.
There was this one scene towards the end where she’s riding on a horse on that farm, and her hair falls out of her cap, or she lets it down, so everyone realizes she was a girl the whole time. We think her boss is going to be shocked/angry, but apparently he knew the entire time!
I liked that there was a bit of romance in here.
My library discarded this sometime in the last several years, so I’ve been on the hunt to find it at the local bookshop! Here’s hoping!
I had my mom buy me this for Christmas several years ago.
I loved that this was about a girl who wanted to become a jockey, so she actually dresses as a boy so she’ll be able to ride on a neighboring farm.
I remember the boy in here saying she won’t be able to dress as a boy for long, or something like that, and then looking at her chest.
Her sister was a violinist, I think, and she comes down with polio, and has to give up her career.
The boy in here was a farmer, and/or his dad was a farmer, and I think they were a different nationality or something, like Polish or Swedish. I seem to remember her and the guy walking along a road, to someone’s house or farm.
There was this guy who worked at the horse farm she rode horses at, too.
They go to a fair, and they’re sitting in the back of a wagon, and her sister is laying there and talking to the boy, and the main character gets jealous& mad.
There was this one scene towards the end where she’s riding on a horse on that farm, and her hair falls out of her cap, or she lets it down, so everyone realizes she was a girl the whole time. We think her boss is going to be shocked/angry, but apparently he knew the entire time!
I liked that there was a bit of romance in here.
My library discarded this sometime in the last several years, so I’ve been on the hunt to find it at the local bookshop! Here’s hoping!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2013
The story of a magic horse and a girl whose dream is just out of reach.
This was one of my classics, one of the stories that shaped and inspired me as a teenager. I read it again now to relive the magic and to try to understand what transported me all those years ago.
And honestly, the writing is not amazing. It's a bit cumbersome at times, and randomly switches point of view in the middle of a chapter. But I'm giving this book four stars for heart. I love its message about the power of dreams, and how your path changes but your dream remains the same. It's a beautiful story for teens, definitely staying in my family library.
This was one of my classics, one of the stories that shaped and inspired me as a teenager. I read it again now to relive the magic and to try to understand what transported me all those years ago.
And honestly, the writing is not amazing. It's a bit cumbersome at times, and randomly switches point of view in the middle of a chapter. But I'm giving this book four stars for heart. I love its message about the power of dreams, and how your path changes but your dream remains the same. It's a beautiful story for teens, definitely staying in my family library.
August 28, 2010
What a great story about a young lady growing up in the early 1900's. What I didn't get was her mother though very liberal for women's rights wouldn't support her working at a horse farm.She goes through many things that most people with siblings go through like jelousy and stuff. She also gains a new friendship that developes into more with a nice boy named carl. Overall I really liked this story since it had basically everything I like in book inside it.
April 23, 2023
I read this book SEVERAL times as a kid. I think between ages 11 - 13, around there. I still have it and it remains one of my most cherished books of all time. Unique story, well written... I got mad at Theo's attitude and behavior at times but she was just being a teen. Her relationship with Carl is cute, and the relationship between her and Dan Patch is also heartwarming.
I simply love this book.
I simply love this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2008
Another kids' book that is absolutely fantastic. It brings out all those little girl dreams that we try to suppress in our every-day activities. Not as good as "Where the Red Fern Grows" but a close second.
January 24, 2011
It took me a long time to remember the title of this book. I remember the character of Theo very well and the fact that she loved horses. And her 'guy' friend from school who...also likes horses. I read this at like 12 or so and I loved it so much. It made me want to run around in a field and ride horses. Its also a really great story, written really well.
July 18, 2013
I read this in middle school just to have something to read. When it first started I thought it was going to be some boring book like most of the stuff for that age but I was pleasantly surprised. I couldn't remember the title exactly though I knew it was along these line, but I can still recall it extremely well and tell the entire story again…
October 16, 2008
I first read this book years ago, but I find that everytime I read it I still get the same satisfaction. It's just a wonderful book with well thought-out characters that outlines events that have faded away into history.
Currently Reading
August 24, 2010Very good so far =) Can't wait to keep reading it!!
December 27, 2010
horse farm Illinois 1906 good storyline, neat setting, realistic characters
July 27, 2013
This book is about women's sufferage. Harness racing is the venue it is set in. Enjoyed this book!
Read
December 13, 2010I how this is a good book!!!!!
June 6, 2017
Loved this book!!! Made me want to work hard and fulfill my dreams no matter what anyone else says.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews