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A Horse Called Hero
It is 1940. As the Second World War escalates and London becomes a target for German bombs, Dodo and her horse-mad little brother Wolfie are evacuated to the country, away from everything they know. After weeks of homesick loneliness, they come across an orphaned foal. They name the horse Hero for surviving against the odds and together they raise him, train him, and learn to ride. Their days are suddenly full of life and excitement again, but the shadow of war looms over their peaceful existence, and soon Hero must live up to his name...
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2013
34 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Sam Angus
8 books48 followersSam Angus is a bestselling and award-winning author of historical adventure novels for children of nine and over. Her novels, required reading for schools across the United Kingdom, deal lightly with some of the bleakest moments of British and Colonial history. Her books include Soldier Dog, Captain, A Horse Called Hero, The House on Hummingbird Island and School for Skylarks.
Sam Angus was born in Italy, and grew up in France, and spent much of her childhood moving from home to home and country to country, but most of her early childhood was spent in Franco's Spain. She went to more than ten different schools and was the naughtiest girl in all of them. She then went on to read English at Trinity College Cambridge, where she secretly kept a dog in her college rooms. After Cambridge she went to Central St Martins to study fashion then taught A Level English Literature for many years, before becoming a full-time writer. She lives between London and Exmoor and has five children, several horses and a handsome, stubborn West Highland terrier.
Sam Angus's books have been longlisted and shortlisted several times for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Soldier Dog was longlisted in 2013, Captain in 2015 and The House on Hummingbird Island for 2017. She has also won or been shortlisted for many local and national awards including the North East Book Award, The Sussex Coast Amazing Book Award, the East Lothian Libraries’ Lennox Author Award, the James Reckitt Children’s Book Award, the Hillingdon Book of the Year, and the Bath and Somerset Centurion Award, amongst others, the Cheshire Book Award.
Sam Angus was born in Italy, and grew up in France, and spent much of her childhood moving from home to home and country to country, but most of her early childhood was spent in Franco's Spain. She went to more than ten different schools and was the naughtiest girl in all of them. She then went on to read English at Trinity College Cambridge, where she secretly kept a dog in her college rooms. After Cambridge she went to Central St Martins to study fashion then taught A Level English Literature for many years, before becoming a full-time writer. She lives between London and Exmoor and has five children, several horses and a handsome, stubborn West Highland terrier.
Sam Angus's books have been longlisted and shortlisted several times for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Soldier Dog was longlisted in 2013, Captain in 2015 and The House on Hummingbird Island for 2017. She has also won or been shortlisted for many local and national awards including the North East Book Award, The Sussex Coast Amazing Book Award, the East Lothian Libraries’ Lennox Author Award, the James Reckitt Children’s Book Award, the Hillingdon Book of the Year, and the Bath and Somerset Centurion Award, amongst others, the Cheshire Book Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 23, 2017
This book!!! Everything about it is wonderful. And it is so refreshing because there is no romance! Through the point of view of Dodie and Wolfie, siblings, you have feel of wartime England. They are proud of their father, but there is a mystery behind his imprisonment that they hear whispered about. They are evacuated into the country. There....they meet Hero!
I'm not a huge horse lover. I mean I like horses, but not in the way some people do!! So when I first read this I was a little incredulous. Yes, Hero has a big part in this story, but it isn't all about him. You have the story of Dodie and Wolfie and their father. Their friendship with the Reverend and his daughter is very sweet. This is more than a horse story. It has depth, meaning, and makes you want to never stop reading.
The last few chapters kept me on my seat. It was amazing. All the fear and worry put into those scenes. The emotions of Wolfie as he is trapped...and of Dodie as she believes him dead. Oh, just writing this makes me want to read it again!
I'm not a huge horse lover. I mean I like horses, but not in the way some people do!! So when I first read this I was a little incredulous. Yes, Hero has a big part in this story, but it isn't all about him. You have the story of Dodie and Wolfie and their father. Their friendship with the Reverend and his daughter is very sweet. This is more than a horse story. It has depth, meaning, and makes you want to never stop reading.
The last few chapters kept me on my seat. It was amazing. All the fear and worry put into those scenes. The emotions of Wolfie as he is trapped...and of Dodie as she believes him dead. Oh, just writing this makes me want to read it again!
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October 4, 2023It's been so long since I read this book... But I think I read it at least twice, if not three or four times. I think it might be time for another reread...
September 26, 2019
This story is akin to reading Black Beauty or War Horse. I'll tell you now, it can be a hard, sad story at certain points. It's not the easiest horse story to read.
It is wartime in England. The children are put on a train, taken to the safe countryside with a plethora of other children just like them, and the community in Dulverton takes the children into their homes. Reminiscent of orphan trains that went across America and Canada -- except this is only during wartime, temporary.
The writing style has a classic poetic feel to it sometimes. This is not a happy-go-lucky adventure; it's more of a sombre tale with deep meanings. There is some death and grieving; and when it comes, it is so stark and raw -- a bit unnerving.
Thoroughly researched and filled with historical detail. Has plenty of interesting vocabulary choices that I haven't read in books before. I'm assuming the author may be British.
Minimum age to read: 10 and up.
It is wartime in England. The children are put on a train, taken to the safe countryside with a plethora of other children just like them, and the community in Dulverton takes the children into their homes. Reminiscent of orphan trains that went across America and Canada -- except this is only during wartime, temporary.
The writing style has a classic poetic feel to it sometimes. This is not a happy-go-lucky adventure; it's more of a sombre tale with deep meanings. There is some death and grieving; and when it comes, it is so stark and raw -- a bit unnerving.
Thoroughly researched and filled with historical detail. Has plenty of interesting vocabulary choices that I haven't read in books before. I'm assuming the author may be British.
Minimum age to read: 10 and up.
June 17, 2014
Last year I read Soldier Dog by Sam Angus and really enjoyed it. Well, maybe enjoyed isn't the right word, since I was bawling my eyes out every few pages, but for a book meant to make you cry, it was good.
Combining that with the fact that I love horses and I was excited when I got the chance to review A Horse Called Hero. Unfortunately, this one really fell short of my expectations.
I think my biggest issue was with the language Sam Angus used. It was very flowery and lyrical and I found it convoluted and difficult to follow. Especially for a middle grade book. I appreciate a good metaphor now and then, but this was a bit overboard.
I also got a bit confused with the passage of time. I thought about 6-8 months had passed, but then all of a sudden Hero was two years old and I was majorly confused.
My third complaint was that some of the events of the book seemed a bit random. Like when Hero entered the race, I thought that was going to go somewhere rather than be a stand alone event.
My favourite part of this one was the historical aspects involved with WWII and the 1940's in general. However, these weren't terribly plentiful and it wasn't even to save this book for me.
Overall, I preferred Sam Angus's Soldier Dog over this one. The language threw me off and there wasn't enough other stuff going on to save this one for me.
Combining that with the fact that I love horses and I was excited when I got the chance to review A Horse Called Hero. Unfortunately, this one really fell short of my expectations.
I think my biggest issue was with the language Sam Angus used. It was very flowery and lyrical and I found it convoluted and difficult to follow. Especially for a middle grade book. I appreciate a good metaphor now and then, but this was a bit overboard.
I also got a bit confused with the passage of time. I thought about 6-8 months had passed, but then all of a sudden Hero was two years old and I was majorly confused.
My third complaint was that some of the events of the book seemed a bit random. Like when Hero entered the race, I thought that was going to go somewhere rather than be a stand alone event.
My favourite part of this one was the historical aspects involved with WWII and the 1940's in general. However, these weren't terribly plentiful and it wasn't even to save this book for me.
Overall, I preferred Sam Angus's Soldier Dog over this one. The language threw me off and there wasn't enough other stuff going on to save this one for me.
February 5, 2023
This amazing story takes place during WWII when many children were sent from London to the countryside for safety from the bombing. It's very vivid, also very sad. I found myself immersed in the history of that time and fell in love with the town vicar and his daughter, who take in two kids while their father is unjustly accused of cowardice at Wormhout and court martialed. I learned so much history along the way. My only wish is that the book had climaxed on a lighter note.
September 22, 2014
It's 1940, and British soldiers have just been evacuated from Dunkirk, but Dodo (Dorothy) Revel and her younger brother Wolfie, 8, still haven't heard from their Pa, Captain Revel. When a telegram arrives, Spud, the children's housekeeper, tells them the sad news that their Pa is missing. Later that night, however, the children overhear Spud talking to someone that seems to indicate something else about Pa.
Next thing Dodo and Wolfie know, they are being evacuated to Dulverton, North Devon. Billeted with a reluctant woman whose son is off fighting, their only relief is at school with their kind teacher Miss Lamb. One day, on their way home from school, Dodo and Wolfie find a newborn foal. For Wolfie, it's a miracle. Pa had loved horses and knew a lot about them, much of which he had already taught Wolfie. Dodo and Wolfie decide to hide the foal, now named Hero for Captain Revel, with the help of a local boy named Ned.
When word breaks that Captain Revel is being charged with desertion and disobedience at Dunkirk, Mrs. Sprig decides she can't have his children living with her. Luckily, they end up with Miss Lamb and her elderly father, Rev. Lamb. There is even a place for the growing Hero there.
Life is better with the Lambs, though not at school. The whole nation is following Captain Revel's court-martial and his children are bearing the brunt of people's anger. It is a slow process and as time goes by life gets harder, with increasing shortages and rationing. Hettie Lamb has been watching over a small herd of Exmoor ponies, which are slowly disappearing. During a particularly cold snowy winter, the ponies are rounded up, and, along with Hero, put into a pen where they can be fed. But one night, the ponies and Hero disappear. Wolfie is devestated.
When Rev. Lamb dies, Hettie is told she must move and so the three of them go to live in County Durham, a coal mining area in Northeast England. There, Dodo gives art lessons to the children of a coal mine owner, while Hettie teaches school. The war has now ended and Captain Revel is serving a two year sentence and still hoping to have his name cleared. He had always worked to improve condition for coal miners, and now, even in prison is continuing that work.
But when the truth about Ned, the boy who had helped Wolfie with Hero back in Dulverton, and the shady activities he had been bullied into doing by his father come to light, things begin to change. Is it possible the Ned holds the key to what happened to Hero?
I really enjoyed reading Sam Angus's novel Soldier Dog when it first came out, so I was excited to read A Horse Called Hero. And I wasn't disappointed, it is a very compelling, though somewhat predictable, story with lots of coincidences. What is nice about this story are the glimpses the reader gets into so many aspects of life during the war.
There are the pacifist demonstrations in Knightsbridge the children witness while out shopping with Spud. Sometimes we forget that not everyone supports war. The crowds of children and parents on Praed Street heading to Paddington Station was palpable. And although evacuation was difficult under the best of circumstances, Dodo and Wolfie's story show how absolutely capricious the whole process was. Mrs. Sprig was a horrible, narrow-minded woman with friends just like herself and wasn't able to really welcome these two scared, displaced children into her home. It makes one wonder how often that or worst happened in real life.
However, Angus draws a lovely picture of the relationship between Wolfie and Captain Revel in the letters exchanged throughout the war, much of which was advice on caring for a horse. Wolfie's hero worship of his father is touching, never flailing even when the circumstances surrounding Captain Revel's arrest are revealed. Captain Revel was clearly a very compassionate character and it is one of the best fiction father/son relationships I've ever read.
The reader also learns so much about what life was life for coal miners and the pit ponies, as they were called. These horses pulled tons of coal out of the mine each day, never seeing daylight once they were deep in the mine. The men and horses labored under dangerous conditions and that was what Captain Revel was working to change.
Two things did bother me - we never find out how old Dodo is, only that she is older than Wolfie. And a map showing the relationship of London, North Devon and County Durham would have been nice (maps are almost always nice in historical fiction).
But, in the end, the novel really asks the readers to consider what makes a hero. For that, it is a novel well worth reading.
This book is recommended for readers 9+, but proably better for 11+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally published at The Children's War
Next thing Dodo and Wolfie know, they are being evacuated to Dulverton, North Devon. Billeted with a reluctant woman whose son is off fighting, their only relief is at school with their kind teacher Miss Lamb. One day, on their way home from school, Dodo and Wolfie find a newborn foal. For Wolfie, it's a miracle. Pa had loved horses and knew a lot about them, much of which he had already taught Wolfie. Dodo and Wolfie decide to hide the foal, now named Hero for Captain Revel, with the help of a local boy named Ned.
When word breaks that Captain Revel is being charged with desertion and disobedience at Dunkirk, Mrs. Sprig decides she can't have his children living with her. Luckily, they end up with Miss Lamb and her elderly father, Rev. Lamb. There is even a place for the growing Hero there.
Life is better with the Lambs, though not at school. The whole nation is following Captain Revel's court-martial and his children are bearing the brunt of people's anger. It is a slow process and as time goes by life gets harder, with increasing shortages and rationing. Hettie Lamb has been watching over a small herd of Exmoor ponies, which are slowly disappearing. During a particularly cold snowy winter, the ponies are rounded up, and, along with Hero, put into a pen where they can be fed. But one night, the ponies and Hero disappear. Wolfie is devestated.
When Rev. Lamb dies, Hettie is told she must move and so the three of them go to live in County Durham, a coal mining area in Northeast England. There, Dodo gives art lessons to the children of a coal mine owner, while Hettie teaches school. The war has now ended and Captain Revel is serving a two year sentence and still hoping to have his name cleared. He had always worked to improve condition for coal miners, and now, even in prison is continuing that work.
But when the truth about Ned, the boy who had helped Wolfie with Hero back in Dulverton, and the shady activities he had been bullied into doing by his father come to light, things begin to change. Is it possible the Ned holds the key to what happened to Hero?
I really enjoyed reading Sam Angus's novel Soldier Dog when it first came out, so I was excited to read A Horse Called Hero. And I wasn't disappointed, it is a very compelling, though somewhat predictable, story with lots of coincidences. What is nice about this story are the glimpses the reader gets into so many aspects of life during the war.
There are the pacifist demonstrations in Knightsbridge the children witness while out shopping with Spud. Sometimes we forget that not everyone supports war. The crowds of children and parents on Praed Street heading to Paddington Station was palpable. And although evacuation was difficult under the best of circumstances, Dodo and Wolfie's story show how absolutely capricious the whole process was. Mrs. Sprig was a horrible, narrow-minded woman with friends just like herself and wasn't able to really welcome these two scared, displaced children into her home. It makes one wonder how often that or worst happened in real life.
However, Angus draws a lovely picture of the relationship between Wolfie and Captain Revel in the letters exchanged throughout the war, much of which was advice on caring for a horse. Wolfie's hero worship of his father is touching, never flailing even when the circumstances surrounding Captain Revel's arrest are revealed. Captain Revel was clearly a very compassionate character and it is one of the best fiction father/son relationships I've ever read.
The reader also learns so much about what life was life for coal miners and the pit ponies, as they were called. These horses pulled tons of coal out of the mine each day, never seeing daylight once they were deep in the mine. The men and horses labored under dangerous conditions and that was what Captain Revel was working to change.
Two things did bother me - we never find out how old Dodo is, only that she is older than Wolfie. And a map showing the relationship of London, North Devon and County Durham would have been nice (maps are almost always nice in historical fiction).
But, in the end, the novel really asks the readers to consider what makes a hero. For that, it is a novel well worth reading.
This book is recommended for readers 9+, but proably better for 11+
This book was purchased for my personal library
This review was originally published at The Children's War
May 31, 2014
Warning - Contains spoilers!!!!
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Even though I am horse crazy, I probably would not have picked this book up as it seemed to be for younger readers. However, my 8 year old brother bought it from a a book sale at school, and I took to reading a couple of chapters to him every night. I was sceptical at first, I thought it was going to turn out too similar to a Michael Morpurgo book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I think this book would be suitable for adults and children alike - it teaches people about the aftermath of war, as well as the actual war period, and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions - Scout's death was particularly hard for me to read through considering I am a major horse lover. The only reasons it doesn't get five stars are:
- A lot of repetition, I know it's a children's book but I found the amount of repetition in some places tedious.
- The ending was too abrupt, most of the book is spent waiting for Dodo and Wolfie's father to be released from prison, and when he finally does arrive, it's like BAM! The End. Also, the issue with the Jervis' stealing Hettie and Wolfie's ponies is never truly resolved.
- Okay, if you have read the book then you know it was very predictable this was going to happen... Father Lamb's death. We could see that he was a frail, ill old man, and was obviously going to die at some point, but it was so abrupt. It goes from describing a beautiful morning in the countryside one second to 'Father Lamb had died in the night' - don't break it to us too gently then!
- I would have liked to know more about Dodo and Wolfie's mother.
-The final thing, and this is just me being fussy - how old is Dodo???? Her age is never referred to during the book which really annoyed me. All we know is that she is older than Wolfie. The story takes place over about 8 years I think? So we see Wolfie going from 8 to 16, I guess Dodo went from about 12 to 20, but I really don't know. It's just a little thing that really bugged me, I feel like I can relate to a character better if I know how old they are.
Overall though, this was a really good book, and even if you aren't horse mad you should give it a go.
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Even though I am horse crazy, I probably would not have picked this book up as it seemed to be for younger readers. However, my 8 year old brother bought it from a a book sale at school, and I took to reading a couple of chapters to him every night. I was sceptical at first, I thought it was going to turn out too similar to a Michael Morpurgo book, but I was pleasantly surprised. I think this book would be suitable for adults and children alike - it teaches people about the aftermath of war, as well as the actual war period, and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions - Scout's death was particularly hard for me to read through considering I am a major horse lover. The only reasons it doesn't get five stars are:
- A lot of repetition, I know it's a children's book but I found the amount of repetition in some places tedious.
- The ending was too abrupt, most of the book is spent waiting for Dodo and Wolfie's father to be released from prison, and when he finally does arrive, it's like BAM! The End. Also, the issue with the Jervis' stealing Hettie and Wolfie's ponies is never truly resolved.
- Okay, if you have read the book then you know it was very predictable this was going to happen... Father Lamb's death. We could see that he was a frail, ill old man, and was obviously going to die at some point, but it was so abrupt. It goes from describing a beautiful morning in the countryside one second to 'Father Lamb had died in the night' - don't break it to us too gently then!
- I would have liked to know more about Dodo and Wolfie's mother.
-The final thing, and this is just me being fussy - how old is Dodo???? Her age is never referred to during the book which really annoyed me. All we know is that she is older than Wolfie. The story takes place over about 8 years I think? So we see Wolfie going from 8 to 16, I guess Dodo went from about 12 to 20, but I really don't know. It's just a little thing that really bugged me, I feel like I can relate to a character better if I know how old they are.
Overall though, this was a really good book, and even if you aren't horse mad you should give it a go.
September 22, 2017
good book I enjoyed reading it.
This was a great book about a wolfie and his sister dodo and an amazing horse named hero their father is off fighting in the war. they are sent to the country, a safer place for children away from the war. a few days after arriving in the country wolfie has a horse, a foal whose mother died. it was the horse he always wanted a grey and silver horse named hero. their father was under arrest for a crime he didn't really commit. Wolfie and dodo suffer from people judging them because of fo their father's so-called crimes. they live with hettie and her father, they have wild moor ponies but they keep going missing. when they move the horses into a nearby abandoned farm with hero they all go missing.
a year or so later wolfie goes down into a mine with a friend to see if hero is there working pulling coal carts. When he does find hero there is an explosion and Wolfie, hero and jo (his friend) barely make it out. and his father with the help of some witnesses that were found was released and set free.
This was a great book about a wolfie and his sister dodo and an amazing horse named hero their father is off fighting in the war. they are sent to the country, a safer place for children away from the war. a few days after arriving in the country wolfie has a horse, a foal whose mother died. it was the horse he always wanted a grey and silver horse named hero. their father was under arrest for a crime he didn't really commit. Wolfie and dodo suffer from people judging them because of fo their father's so-called crimes. they live with hettie and her father, they have wild moor ponies but they keep going missing. when they move the horses into a nearby abandoned farm with hero they all go missing.
a year or so later wolfie goes down into a mine with a friend to see if hero is there working pulling coal carts. When he does find hero there is an explosion and Wolfie, hero and jo (his friend) barely make it out. and his father with the help of some witnesses that were found was released and set free.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2014
I enjoyed the soft melancholy of most of this book, but after a credibility stretching coincidence, it unfortunately turns to melodrama. With a plot and tone somewhat reminiscent of The Railway Children, I think this will have appeal to kids who enjoy quieter historical and/or animal stories. I thought the mixing in of real life with fiction was really well done and I appreciated the author's note at the end.
A few issues I had with the ARC, which may well be sorted out by the time the book is published: we are never told how old Dodo is and only learn Wolfie's age some way into the story. This made it hard to picture the kids. I was also really confused about Ned Jervis - when we first meet him, the fact that he has white hair made me think he was an old man, but he's later referred to as a boy and a lad. Down in the mine, it says that Hero is being 'led' in the stables - but apparently not by anyone. I also felt the blurb on the back of the book gave away way too much of the story.
Issues that probably won't be sorted out before publication - too much going on in the plot, and the huge coincidence towards the end that just pitched the book in the wrong direction. I felt the fire should have been the climax and then Pa could have been released after that.
A few issues I had with the ARC, which may well be sorted out by the time the book is published: we are never told how old Dodo is and only learn Wolfie's age some way into the story. This made it hard to picture the kids. I was also really confused about Ned Jervis - when we first meet him, the fact that he has white hair made me think he was an old man, but he's later referred to as a boy and a lad. Down in the mine, it says that Hero is being 'led' in the stables - but apparently not by anyone. I also felt the blurb on the back of the book gave away way too much of the story.
Issues that probably won't be sorted out before publication - too much going on in the plot, and the huge coincidence towards the end that just pitched the book in the wrong direction. I felt the fire should have been the climax and then Pa could have been released after that.
February 22, 2017
I read the book a horse called Hero. This book takes place in London back when World War 2 was going on. There were two kids named Dodo and Wolfie. They were siblings and they were evacuated to another country because of what was happening in their area. They were all alone for months, wondering the streets. Dodo and Wolfie didn't even know where they were. Somebody had just dropped them off on the streets. After wondering for weeks they come across a horse who looked like it has been through a lot. They named the horse Hero since it looks to be struggling and has been through a lot. A few months later, Hero has adapted to Dodo and Wolfie's family. They count on Hero and Hero counts on them. They get through stuff all together. Hero has to live up to his name. Is he a hero? Does he save Dodo and Wolfie from being attacked?
I loved this book so so so much!!!!! It tells a story of how animals and humans support each other. They come together and get through the hard times. I think that this book is amazing! I recommend this book to middle schoolers because it can get violent at some points. I almost cried because of what happened in this book. I give this book 5 stars.
I loved this book so so so much!!!!! It tells a story of how animals and humans support each other. They come together and get through the hard times. I think that this book is amazing! I recommend this book to middle schoolers because it can get violent at some points. I almost cried because of what happened in this book. I give this book 5 stars.
March 12, 2017
Yet another book that has a promising beginning and then plummets to ho-hum super-sentimental depths. It's as if this book was a horse and it ran away with Angus. Although Angus doesn't fall out of the saddle, she clings to a stirrup as she's dragged along. I was just skimming this book at the end just to see how it turned out.
And what's with horses or ponies dying in quicksand or a bog or it's equivalent? Can all of you horse book authors stop it with that? It's been done to death ... so to speak.
And what's with horses or ponies dying in quicksand or a bog or it's equivalent? Can all of you horse book authors stop it with that? It's been done to death ... so to speak.
July 8, 2024
My review:
Story of a 12-year-old girl and her younger brother during the London Blitz. Their father, a decorated WW1 hero, goes MIA. Their housekeeper, “ Spud”, sends the children off to keep them safe, but they feel abandoned. Obtaining an orphaned foal to raise helps greatly, especially when the rumor of Father being a deserter surfaces.
Parts 1&2 were interesting, with details of the Blitz and of raising Hero the foal. Part 3 dragged, and made the book a bit too long (Pg.215-291). The ending was very predictable.
Overall, it was a 😐 book. Would be an easy read for middle-graders; could spark an interest in history.
Story of a 12-year-old girl and her younger brother during the London Blitz. Their father, a decorated WW1 hero, goes MIA. Their housekeeper, “ Spud”, sends the children off to keep them safe, but they feel abandoned. Obtaining an orphaned foal to raise helps greatly, especially when the rumor of Father being a deserter surfaces.
Parts 1&2 were interesting, with details of the Blitz and of raising Hero the foal. Part 3 dragged, and made the book a bit too long (Pg.215-291). The ending was very predictable.
Overall, it was a 😐 book. Would be an easy read for middle-graders; could spark an interest in history.
May 14, 2018
I was really disappointed. It sounded like such a good book, but I wasn't able to get into the story. It was just BAM! all of the sudden you're in this story and you have no idea what's really going on. I like books that make sure you know who everyone is and why they are there, so maybe if this book was written better I could have enjoyed it.
October 11, 2014
I'm not much of a horse book person, and I think the jacket gave away too much of the story, but this was a decent emotional ride.
February 28, 2017
Dodo and Wolfie are two young siblings that live with their housekeeper Spud. Their mom died when they were young and their dad is out fighting in World War II. They live in the city of London. London is now under war. When they go outside they have to wear a gas mask. London is very dirty and there are many homeless people. Many children are leaving to go to the country.
Wolfie is his nickname, his real name is Wolfgang. Wolfie is a little hopeful eight-year-old boy. One day he hopes that he will own a gray horse just like his father's horse. His father's horse's name is Captain. Wolfie looks up to his father and wants to be like him someday. Dodo is her nickname, her real name is Dorothy. Dodo is Wolfie's older sister. She misses her father very much and is always afraid of something happening to him.
One day when Dodo and Wolfie we're walking home they saw some man write something on the sidewalk in chalk. Once they reached the man they saw that the chalk read: PARIS SURRENDERED. When Dodo reads this her heart drops. All she think of is where is Pa why is he not home yet.
A few days later they receive a letter that says their father has gone missing. After this letter came Spud decides that she should send Dodo and Wolfie to the country with the other kids. Dodo does not want to leave. She is afraid that Pa will come home and she will be in the country. All Wolfie can think about is that there are horses in the country.
A few days have gone by, and Dodo and Wolfie are on the train to the country. They are not the only children on the train. The train is almost packed with children. When they get to the country there is many families there to pick out a child. Before they left Spud told Dodo not to let them separate her from Wolfie. Many people came up to Dodo and asked if she wanted to go with them. She said "If you want me you must take him to." They were the only children left. The woman in charge was not allowed to leave until all the children are gone. There was one lady left, but she did not want two children. The woman in charge had to convince her to take Dodo and Wolfie. The woman in charge finally convinced Mrs. Sprig to take the children.
They were living with Mrs. Sprig, and going to school, but they were not happy. Until one day Wolfie was told to open the gate at the old pasture. He had to open the gate, because the knacker's cart was coming. (A knacker's cart is when a horse gets old and dies, it is what you carry the horse with.) When he got to the pasture he was looking for the horse. When he finally found her he realize that she just had a baby. The foal was grey with dark almond eyes. When the men got there with the cart, they were going to shoot the foal. They were going to shoot him because they thought he would not survive. Wolfie stopped them. He said "This is my horse." The men said "Really he doesn't even have a name." Wolfie said " Yes he dies, his name is Hero."
Wolfie managed to hide Hero in the barn, and give him milk. One morning a letter came from Spud. The letter said that said Pa was home safe, but he had more work to do. the children were very excited that Pa was home, but did not know why he had more work to do.
After many days. The paper came and had Pa's picture on the front. It said that Pa ran away from the war, and disobeyed his commands. This is when Mrs. Sprig decided to get rid of the children. Miss. Lamb was now taking care of the children, along with her father. Miss Lamb is their teacher. Her father was a priest. Luckily Hero was allowed to come with.
Many months have passed and the judge decided that Pa will have to go to jail for two years. He will also have to do community service. This made Dodo relieved when she found out. She was relieved because one of the punishments was death.
Hero and the children were growing fast. They have not seen there father an many years, but they do write very often. Miss. Lamb has many horses of her own, but sadly a lot of them have been stolen. One sad day came and Father Lamb died. This was very sad to the children because he was like a father to them.
A few weeks later Hero was stolen. Wolfie was heart broken. A few more weeks have passed and Miss Lamb found out that she can not afford their house anymore. They move into Miss Lamb's uncle's house. Wolfie is fourteen years old now. All hope is lost for him. Will he ever find Hero? Will they ever see Spud or their father again? What will happen to Miss Lamb?
This book was a little hard to get into. After you get into it, it is a good book. I enjoyed it because of all the action. I also liked it because Wolfie and I share the same love and passion for horses. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction. Also to anyone who likes action.
Wolfie is his nickname, his real name is Wolfgang. Wolfie is a little hopeful eight-year-old boy. One day he hopes that he will own a gray horse just like his father's horse. His father's horse's name is Captain. Wolfie looks up to his father and wants to be like him someday. Dodo is her nickname, her real name is Dorothy. Dodo is Wolfie's older sister. She misses her father very much and is always afraid of something happening to him.
One day when Dodo and Wolfie we're walking home they saw some man write something on the sidewalk in chalk. Once they reached the man they saw that the chalk read: PARIS SURRENDERED. When Dodo reads this her heart drops. All she think of is where is Pa why is he not home yet.
A few days later they receive a letter that says their father has gone missing. After this letter came Spud decides that she should send Dodo and Wolfie to the country with the other kids. Dodo does not want to leave. She is afraid that Pa will come home and she will be in the country. All Wolfie can think about is that there are horses in the country.
A few days have gone by, and Dodo and Wolfie are on the train to the country. They are not the only children on the train. The train is almost packed with children. When they get to the country there is many families there to pick out a child. Before they left Spud told Dodo not to let them separate her from Wolfie. Many people came up to Dodo and asked if she wanted to go with them. She said "If you want me you must take him to." They were the only children left. The woman in charge was not allowed to leave until all the children are gone. There was one lady left, but she did not want two children. The woman in charge had to convince her to take Dodo and Wolfie. The woman in charge finally convinced Mrs. Sprig to take the children.
They were living with Mrs. Sprig, and going to school, but they were not happy. Until one day Wolfie was told to open the gate at the old pasture. He had to open the gate, because the knacker's cart was coming. (A knacker's cart is when a horse gets old and dies, it is what you carry the horse with.) When he got to the pasture he was looking for the horse. When he finally found her he realize that she just had a baby. The foal was grey with dark almond eyes. When the men got there with the cart, they were going to shoot the foal. They were going to shoot him because they thought he would not survive. Wolfie stopped them. He said "This is my horse." The men said "Really he doesn't even have a name." Wolfie said " Yes he dies, his name is Hero."
Wolfie managed to hide Hero in the barn, and give him milk. One morning a letter came from Spud. The letter said that said Pa was home safe, but he had more work to do. the children were very excited that Pa was home, but did not know why he had more work to do.
After many days. The paper came and had Pa's picture on the front. It said that Pa ran away from the war, and disobeyed his commands. This is when Mrs. Sprig decided to get rid of the children. Miss. Lamb was now taking care of the children, along with her father. Miss Lamb is their teacher. Her father was a priest. Luckily Hero was allowed to come with.
Many months have passed and the judge decided that Pa will have to go to jail for two years. He will also have to do community service. This made Dodo relieved when she found out. She was relieved because one of the punishments was death.
Hero and the children were growing fast. They have not seen there father an many years, but they do write very often. Miss. Lamb has many horses of her own, but sadly a lot of them have been stolen. One sad day came and Father Lamb died. This was very sad to the children because he was like a father to them.
A few weeks later Hero was stolen. Wolfie was heart broken. A few more weeks have passed and Miss Lamb found out that she can not afford their house anymore. They move into Miss Lamb's uncle's house. Wolfie is fourteen years old now. All hope is lost for him. Will he ever find Hero? Will they ever see Spud or their father again? What will happen to Miss Lamb?
This book was a little hard to get into. After you get into it, it is a good book. I enjoyed it because of all the action. I also liked it because Wolfie and I share the same love and passion for horses. I would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction. Also to anyone who likes action.
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November 1, 2019A Horse Called Hero
My book is called A Horse Called Hero by Sam Angus
The lexile is 880 and the book is for grades 4-6th the main setting is in a place right outside of London. A war is going on so the main characters who are Dodo and Wolfie get moved out in the country because their Father had to go to war. When they moved to the country they were with a lady for a while that they didn't like so and then they ended up moving in with their teacher later on and getting a horse. Near the end of the book they lost Hero the horse and then find him in the very end with their father in a mining shaft.
The setting affects the characters because Dodo and Wolfie grew up their whole life in the city so they had to adjust to living a country life. They also had to go to a new school full of new people and then their dad got put in jail because they say he was trying to get out of the war. Which caused their new classmates to look at them weird and act like they were different. Something that affects the reader is like when the dad gets put in jail how if you're really close with one of your parents that make the reader feel sad.
I didn't mind the book it just wasn't my favorite it's not the type of book I would read. It wasn't too hard to read. I liked the end because they lost the horse for many years and then end up finding him with their father who they had not seen in years because he got put in prison. My favorite part was when Dodo and Wolfie got to move in with the teacher because she was so much nicer than the other lady they were living with. The author wrote in third person and when the kids and their father would send notes back and forth they would change the way the text looked. This is everything I had to say about A Horse Called Hero.
My book is called A Horse Called Hero by Sam Angus
The lexile is 880 and the book is for grades 4-6th the main setting is in a place right outside of London. A war is going on so the main characters who are Dodo and Wolfie get moved out in the country because their Father had to go to war. When they moved to the country they were with a lady for a while that they didn't like so and then they ended up moving in with their teacher later on and getting a horse. Near the end of the book they lost Hero the horse and then find him in the very end with their father in a mining shaft.
The setting affects the characters because Dodo and Wolfie grew up their whole life in the city so they had to adjust to living a country life. They also had to go to a new school full of new people and then their dad got put in jail because they say he was trying to get out of the war. Which caused their new classmates to look at them weird and act like they were different. Something that affects the reader is like when the dad gets put in jail how if you're really close with one of your parents that make the reader feel sad.
I didn't mind the book it just wasn't my favorite it's not the type of book I would read. It wasn't too hard to read. I liked the end because they lost the horse for many years and then end up finding him with their father who they had not seen in years because he got put in prison. My favorite part was when Dodo and Wolfie got to move in with the teacher because she was so much nicer than the other lady they were living with. The author wrote in third person and when the kids and their father would send notes back and forth they would change the way the text looked. This is everything I had to say about A Horse Called Hero.
January 20, 2024
'A Horse Called Hero' is an excellent book about courage, trust, and love. This book is descriptively written and excellently constructed. (In Great Britain during the WWII years, the novel gave me a feeling of nostalgia.) Well-constructed plot, realistic characterization, and centralized conflict — these all are built upon each other to create this heartwarming story. The superbly crafted ending made me leave the story a bit emotional (I had to read the ending three times!) but very satisfied. As for the theme of the book goes, it can be summed up in the words of C. S. Lewis included at the beginning of the book: "Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at its testing point."
November 11, 2017
This was an amazing story!! Wolfie, Dodo, and Hero are all amazing heroes (and heroine). Hero and Wolfie begin their journey in the country, when Wolfie finds Hero, his mother had passed away while giving birth. Hero and Wolfie have many amazing adventures until one day ( SPOILER ALERT ) Hero is stolen and Wolfie is heartbroken. Years later, after Dodo and Wofie's father is released from prison ( he was accused of deserting while fighting in WWII ) Wolfie finds Hero in a coal mine and they barley escape with their lives.
This is a fantastic story that I would recommend to anyone who loves adventure.
This is a fantastic story that I would recommend to anyone who loves adventure.
September 22, 2022
Dear Future Kaitlyn,
This was a good story. However, not one of my favorites. I can’t really explain why. I think the style of writing the character descriptions just didn’t click with me. I would recommend it to others though. It starts out slowly, with Dodo and her brother Wolfie being evacuated from London. Their father is missing. Their housekeeper sends them to the country. They stay with an unkind lady, but meet a foal and raise him. Years pass in the book and it feels like two separate stories because the characters are different when they’ve grown up. An interesting read, but probably won’t read a second time.
This was a good story. However, not one of my favorites. I can’t really explain why. I think the style of writing the character descriptions just didn’t click with me. I would recommend it to others though. It starts out slowly, with Dodo and her brother Wolfie being evacuated from London. Their father is missing. Their housekeeper sends them to the country. They stay with an unkind lady, but meet a foal and raise him. Years pass in the book and it feels like two separate stories because the characters are different when they’ve grown up. An interesting read, but probably won’t read a second time.
December 12, 2023
I'm sorry, I wanted to enjoy it.
This book just didn't do it for me, maybe it's writing style, or the pacing, but something just made me board out of my mind. Even me having read this a couple years ago, I still have a strong memory of being board.
This book just feels like a copy of War Horse, or Black Beauty, and tries so hard to fall into their legacy. But fails. It is slow, uneventful, and again, just feels like an unoriginal copy of the novels previously mentioned.
That doesn't mean you wont like it if you like the other two, it is very similar, which Is probably why I didn't like it.
If you're looking for a fresh and new horse story, i'd pass on this one.
This book just didn't do it for me, maybe it's writing style, or the pacing, but something just made me board out of my mind. Even me having read this a couple years ago, I still have a strong memory of being board.
This book just feels like a copy of War Horse, or Black Beauty, and tries so hard to fall into their legacy. But fails. It is slow, uneventful, and again, just feels like an unoriginal copy of the novels previously mentioned.
That doesn't mean you wont like it if you like the other two, it is very similar, which Is probably why I didn't like it.
If you're looking for a fresh and new horse story, i'd pass on this one.
March 16, 2024
Not a great literary piece but still a nice story of boy in wartime England who saves a horse and they become very connected. The boys father is a war hero but then is arrested on wrong assumption that he deserted his men during a battle. He’s eventually cleared and comes back to the boy and his older sister who had been sent to live in the countryside (where it was safer for the children) at the start of the London bombings.
January 15, 2024
I gave this book 4 stars because when I started reading I had no idea what was going on. I had to reread it. The story is great. A lot of emotion that made you feel each character. The last few chapters I could not put the book down until I had finished, it was that exciting! This is a children’s book. I would say around ages 10-14 or so. Very clean with no romance. Just a few minor bad language.
December 9, 2018
An amazing book
This book was absolutely amazing, nearly bringing me to tears at times, and i would definitely recommend it to anyone
This book was absolutely amazing, nearly bringing me to tears at times, and i would definitely recommend it to anyone
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January 15, 2019Really great book! It had a couple of unexpected turns but was a really heart-warming book overall :)
February 12, 2019
One of the best books I've ever read! A must-read!
April 17, 2019
Very interesting and well written
October 12, 2019
A beautiful story about the toll of war told from the eyes of children who had to grow up too fast.
Absolutely adored and I may have had a bit of a sniffle at the end.
Absolutely adored and I may have had a bit of a sniffle at the end.
December 1, 2019
Beautiful
January 3, 2020
It's Is the best book ever. I love it and I think everyone should read it.
December 18, 2020
It a really good book
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