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Unbroken
All she has is her horse
After her mother is killed in a riding accident, Harry and her untrained two-year-old colt are sent to live on Aunt Sarah and Uncle Clayton's Vermont hillside farm. There, spirited Harry must learn to live with her domineering aunt and her family's shrouded past. Her only escape is a seven-mile ride to school, if only she can tame the wild colt enough to ride him....
00-01 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Bk Award Masterlist
Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council
After her mother is killed in a riding accident, Harry and her untrained two-year-old colt are sent to live on Aunt Sarah and Uncle Clayton's Vermont hillside farm. There, spirited Harry must learn to live with her domineering aunt and her family's shrouded past. Her only escape is a seven-mile ride to school, if only she can tame the wild colt enough to ride him....
00-01 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Bk Award Masterlist
Notable Children's Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 2000, National Council for SS & Child. Book Council
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
6 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Haas
57 books41 followersJessie Haas has written over 35 books for children and adults, many about horses--a lifelong passion. She currently owns a Morgan mare, Robin, who is being clicker-trained to be a trail and pasture-dressage horse. She lives in a small, off-grid house in the woods with husband Michael J. Daley, two cats and a dog. When not writing or riding or reading she likes to knit, cook, and write, or ride, or read.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 18, 2012
This book is considered Junior Fiction. I found it because someone recommended a book called "Unbroken" but didn't provide the author's name. When I looked for info on the book, I found this one as well as another one "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand. Thought the synopsis of this story sounded interesting and decided to read it. It is definitely written with younger folks in mind but, regardless, is a good book. The story was interesting altho sad. However, it ended too abruptly.
June 22, 2012
I have read this twice and enjoyed it both times. The second time was for a sixth grade book report. Ironically I had just broken my arm when the horse I ride spooked at a turkey flying in front of him. I like how the personal aspects of the story are tied in with the horse "breaking." I really like Jessie Haas' writing style. It was tender and enjoyable.
May 12, 2018
Jessie Haas is an interesting writer. Her books are either fantastic (Keeping Barney) or they suck (like Keeping Barney's sequel.) Unfortunately, Unbroken falls into the latter category. This does have horses in it (including the Morgans that are so inevitable in Haas' books), but the story suffers from an extreme lack of horses.
It centers on a new orphan girl (what IS it with orphans in horse books for kids?) and the problems in her life -- and she has plenty. And so it becomes a boring soap opera of uncovering the skeleton in the family closet. The very ho-hum skeleton in the closet, I may add. The big build up to The Big Reveal went absolutely nowhere.
The main problem I had was with the interior dialogue of Our Heroine. She's supposed to be 12 or 13 at the oldest and she's probing deep philosophical depths that someone 100 years old couldn't do. This is one of those books written for critics more than for kids. In fact, do any kids actually LIKE this book?
Another problem is that the mother's lethal accident was not described properly until near the end of the book. The climax (such as it was) would have made more of an impact if we the readers had known that the mother's lethal accident could have easily been avoided.
Since the main horse in the book was a chestnut Morgan colt, I'll end this review with a picture of a chestnut Morgan colt. You're welcome.
It centers on a new orphan girl (what IS it with orphans in horse books for kids?) and the problems in her life -- and she has plenty. And so it becomes a boring soap opera of uncovering the skeleton in the family closet. The very ho-hum skeleton in the closet, I may add. The big build up to The Big Reveal went absolutely nowhere.
The main problem I had was with the interior dialogue of Our Heroine. She's supposed to be 12 or 13 at the oldest and she's probing deep philosophical depths that someone 100 years old couldn't do. This is one of those books written for critics more than for kids. In fact, do any kids actually LIKE this book?
Another problem is that the mother's lethal accident was not described properly until near the end of the book. The climax (such as it was) would have made more of an impact if we the readers had known that the mother's lethal accident could have easily been avoided.
Since the main horse in the book was a chestnut Morgan colt, I'll end this review with a picture of a chestnut Morgan colt. You're welcome.
December 28, 2009
Quit reading about 5 pages into this book. It had a bad word and it was sad.
August 30, 2012
Couldn't get anywhere with this one....
November 18, 2013
It was a cliffhanger.
February 13, 2012
Jamie Lisa Forbes’ debut novel, Unbroken, is a WILLA Award recipient and worthy of this prestigious honor.
Gwen Swan’s life is an unbroken chain of cooking, helping her husband on their family cattle ranch, managing their children, Rory and McKenna, juggling finances, and working through Wyoming’s harsh winters and sweltering summers with seemingly few days of reprieve between seasons. Gwen’s hard-working husband Will centers his life around the ranch. His father John, a widower for most of Gwen and Will’s married life, lives in his own house, but takes his meals with his son’s family. John still calls most of the shots on the daily ranch activities. Will occasionally takes his own initiative, but when he does his father can be counted on to share his opinion.
It’s up to Gwen to deal with her son’s teachers and their disapproval of Rory’s behavior at school. When Will becomes aware of Rory’s trouble at home, his impatience is obvious, but Rory’s grandfather helps smooth over hurt feelings. Rory especially basks in his grandfather’s love.
Will’s brother, long estranged from the family, appears and old bitterness and resentments resurface, further straining their lives.
Meg Braeburn and her young son Tim have broken away from her family’s ranch. She’s made mistakes but is determined to make a good life for them. She’s hired as a hand on a ranch neighboring Swan’s. The absent owner leaves all the work to her, with a stringy, unkept horse, rusty equipment and unrealistic expectations. Meg surprises them all with her ability and drive, and her resoluteness.
Before long Gwen and Meg become friends, their children play, though Rory often bullies Jim. The ranchers support and help one another with time, equipment and friendship.
The isolation and closeness of the two families begins to take their toll and boundaries are crossed. The dynamics of splintering families is painful and everyone’s way of life is affected.
Unbroken is a powerful, absorbing book from the first page to the last. Forbes’ Wyoming ranch background adds rich flavors to the story. The author draws realistic, complex characters. Unbroken is an unvarnished testimonial to a way of life that few of us know.
Gwen Swan’s life is an unbroken chain of cooking, helping her husband on their family cattle ranch, managing their children, Rory and McKenna, juggling finances, and working through Wyoming’s harsh winters and sweltering summers with seemingly few days of reprieve between seasons. Gwen’s hard-working husband Will centers his life around the ranch. His father John, a widower for most of Gwen and Will’s married life, lives in his own house, but takes his meals with his son’s family. John still calls most of the shots on the daily ranch activities. Will occasionally takes his own initiative, but when he does his father can be counted on to share his opinion.
It’s up to Gwen to deal with her son’s teachers and their disapproval of Rory’s behavior at school. When Will becomes aware of Rory’s trouble at home, his impatience is obvious, but Rory’s grandfather helps smooth over hurt feelings. Rory especially basks in his grandfather’s love.
Will’s brother, long estranged from the family, appears and old bitterness and resentments resurface, further straining their lives.
Meg Braeburn and her young son Tim have broken away from her family’s ranch. She’s made mistakes but is determined to make a good life for them. She’s hired as a hand on a ranch neighboring Swan’s. The absent owner leaves all the work to her, with a stringy, unkept horse, rusty equipment and unrealistic expectations. Meg surprises them all with her ability and drive, and her resoluteness.
Before long Gwen and Meg become friends, their children play, though Rory often bullies Jim. The ranchers support and help one another with time, equipment and friendship.
The isolation and closeness of the two families begins to take their toll and boundaries are crossed. The dynamics of splintering families is painful and everyone’s way of life is affected.
Unbroken is a powerful, absorbing book from the first page to the last. Forbes’ Wyoming ranch background adds rich flavors to the story. The author draws realistic, complex characters. Unbroken is an unvarnished testimonial to a way of life that few of us know.
November 7, 2018
It was an awful book. It started out sad and boring and it never got better.
It was a waste of time I thought.
It was a waste of time I thought.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2011
After her mother is killed in a riding accident, Harry and her untrained two-year-old colt are sent to live on Aunt Sarah and Uncle Clayton's Vermont hillside farm. There, spirited Harry must learn to live with her domineering aunt and her family's shrouded past. Her only escape is a seven-mile ride to school, if only she can tame the wild colt enough to ride him.
Great book for determination and motivation!! I could use this in a town like my hometown because student would relate to the farm. I could use this motivational book to spark a light under students who are not determined.
Great book for determination and motivation!! I could use this in a town like my hometown because student would relate to the farm. I could use this motivational book to spark a light under students who are not determined.
January 4, 2015
So glad I found this book.
I sobbed my way through this wonderful story of pain and growth, the hardship of being young and not in control of your own destiny, and the slow, but sure and wondrous realization that what you don't know can change a life.
The death of a parent is tough stuff, so my own inclination is to recommend it for older youth, those who might also be more open to some of the other issues that surface later in the story.
Though it's a "children's book", it is more than worth reading no matter what your age.
I sobbed my way through this wonderful story of pain and growth, the hardship of being young and not in control of your own destiny, and the slow, but sure and wondrous realization that what you don't know can change a life.
The death of a parent is tough stuff, so my own inclination is to recommend it for older youth, those who might also be more open to some of the other issues that surface later in the story.
Though it's a "children's book", it is more than worth reading no matter what your age.
December 25, 2014
it is kind of odd to see that some of the other reviews are not about this book, but other books by the same title. That said, I too, read it in error. My list of books to get at the library had simply the title without the author. I realized my mistake after I downloaded this ebook (Hillenbrand's book was what I intended to get). But it was a sweet story and I liked it and recommended it to my mom and sister, both of whom love stories with animals.
March 19, 2012
This is a young adult book, and it started out with some promise, but I didn't feel there was enough explanation for all the loose ends. Basically, they introduce some heavy concepts, and then accept a child's answer for them, so there wasn't enough substance in the resolve, I guess. Not bad, just not great.
March 15, 2017
Wonderful story for horse lovers! Heart broken Jessie must deal with change and loss and has her horse to help her recover. Perfect book for those who love horses and like for a book to tug at their heart strings. Despite a publication date of 1999, the plot line does not seem outdated. Recommended for ages 10-13.
September 29, 2010
I thought it was sad and it really didn't keep my interest. It sad the whole time and never got better till the very end of the last chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2011
The author's way of using words for description of feelings was very effective. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the growth and progress Harry made in coping with the trials life handed to her.
September 5, 2011
So far I have LOVED it i am almost done! I almost finished it in 2 hourse but I decided better wait till morning!
February 16, 2012
Much less about the horse than the synopsis led me to believe. Much, much better book than the synopsis led me to believe, too.
January 22, 2013
I love this book, strangely, because it makes me cry, no matter how much I read it. I don't usually cry over books. Its so sweet and descriptive too. I read it over and over......
Want to read
February 4, 2013Per Eileen
February 23, 2016
Orphaned Harry wants to train her colt so she can go back to school. Harry has to learn the hard way that growing up and horse training are not easy.
August 18, 2025
Wow, what an incredible book. I can't say that enough. The way Harriet deals with her mother's death, the actual scene of her death... I could not think of a better glimpse into the horrible grief of losing your mother. At first, I was somewhat disappointed that it wasn’t a "troubled girl and troubled horse fix each other and win big" type story, but it could never have been, because that isn't what Harriet would have done only months after losing her mother in such a horrible and intimate way. It's not a horse girl book, it's a book about a girl surviving, becoming, making mistakes and growing, and her horse doing the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2024
Younger me would have loved this, but I feel like I struggled through this one just to get to my next read. Definitely a "me" problem, the story was beautiful but I read this at the wrong time unfortunately.
May 3, 2021
Written for a younger audience?
February 24, 2023
Not as much of a resolution as I was hoping for but I did like the story
February 19, 2022
Ugh I couldn't even finish it because it was so boring!
September 17, 2022
My all time favorite horse story
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews