Risky Chance

Horse Diaries #7

by Alison Hart, Ruth Sanderson (Illustrator)

For all lovers of horses and history, it's the next book in the popular Horse Diaries series. Born in California at the start of the Great Depression, Risky Chance is a gray thoroughbred who was born to race. Life at the track and being spoiled by his jockey's young daughter, Marie, is all Chance could ask for. He loves nothing more than running fast and winning. But after an accident, Chance discovers a side of horse racing that has little to do with glory.Like Black Beauty, this moving novel is told in first person from the horse's own point of view and includes an appendix full of photos and facts about thoroughbreds, horse racing, and the Great Depression.

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

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2011

About the author

Alison Hart is a pseudonym for writer Alice Leonhardt

A Virginia author of over twenty mysteries and historical fiction novels for children and teens, loves “writing books that keep young readers glued to the pages.” At the age of seven she wrote, illustrated and self-published The Wild Dog, a book which she shows to readers to make the point that it is never too early to be an author.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "Horse Diaries" book is written by Allison Hart and illustrated by Ruth Sanders. It is about a Thoroughbred named Risky Chance. Risky Chance is a racehorse. The book is told from his perspective of things. There an unfortunate event that takes place that turns his racing career around. This book is very interesting. It is a good way to learn how a horse would think and how their opinions are formed.

Luckily for Risky Chance two people came back into his life as they were before. This book keeps your attention making you want to keep reading. As the horse goes through many events in his racing life, he gets passed from owner to owner. My favorite quote from this book is at the ending. "We were two of the lucky ones." Not every race horse makes it out. But being in claim races is how he ended up with his happy ending.

The story of this racehorse and his life is interesting and exciting, especially from his view. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in horses and racing. Shown from the horses point of view it adds wonderful insight on how they are treated and how they feel for the people around them.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

great ending

[JenBsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first in the series that I read (out of order) ... I've read Seabiscuit, and seen that movie and many other horse racing movies, have read lots of books set in the depression era. It all felt familiar. Nice to have this information set in a story for a younger audience. Gelding is mentioned but not explained (Mommy, what does it mean to "geld" a horse?) There is some animal endangerment (not quite abuse, although overuse could be argued as that). I wasn't actually sure where this story was going to go, it kept me guessing.

I found these while I was shopping a library sale. I picked up several of these HorseDiaries books (for my Little Free Library). During my "MiddleGrade May" I figured I'd give a couple a read myself. I think I would have liked these a lot in my younger years, and I would give them a thumbs up to any young reader. My 4* rating is more a "for kids" rating rather than my own adult enjoyment (more of a 3* in that regard).

Very easy, anthropomorphized ... as the series title suggests, these are basically the horses thoughts, although not written in diary format (just a telling of their life). There are 16+ books in the series, all stand-alones, set in various times/places. So readers are learning about history, as well as horses. They don't need to be read in order. Several authors/illustrators.

I really hope children(and any adults reading) would continue to read the appendix after the story ends. Here, there are the author's notes, more about the history, and horse breed, given factually, giving the background on the fictional story. Good info!

No audio, but I was able to find a Kindle copy at my library in addition to the physical books I picked up.

[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!

[Gerri Leen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. Quiet beautiful tales accompanied by gorgeous illos. This volume is no exception. I am a horseracing fan, so I appreciated the level take on this. That it explored the world of claimers, the bad things that happen, but also allows for the will and desire to run and win. The love that can exist between horse and owner/trainer/groom/jockey. The ending was lovely and made me all teary. I liked the nod to injured jockeys and the info later on fatalities--what other sport has an ambulance following the competitors around the field?

Again, did I mention how beautiful the illustrations are? Especially for this volume. They really told a tale.

Can't wait to move on to the next Horse Diary. I've cherrypicked which volumes to read so Black Cloud is next on the roster.

[DEBORRAH J SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love for a race horse

I have this book five stars, because I really loved reading it. It made you want to keep on reading to see what was going to happen next. It had it's up and downs in the book. I would recommend this book to any horse lover.

[Skyla Matos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Risky Chance is an amazing book with horses, excitement, and racing. I would definitely recommend this book this was the first Horse Diaries book that I have read, and now Horse Diaries is my favorite book series.

[Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story from the horse's point of view set during the Great Depression. I learned about the existence of 'Hoovervilles.'

[Chastity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about a horse who loves to race!I love to race too!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Emily Kopkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was my favorite book out of the series.

[Ava Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I’ve ever read even though it is a little bit sad.
I like how each day risky chance and sweet dreams race across the fields together and it is always a tie.

[Nancy Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a children’s book but sometimes I need a break from heavy reading and just enjoy a cute story and I always enjoy horse stories.

[Samantha McKevitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it gave a different prospective of the horse racing world.

[Lily Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoroughbreds are the best. Running their little (or should I say huge…) hearts out for us.
Chance is no exception. What a fun story of a driven colt determined to win.
Thoroughbreds ❤️❤️❤️

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this volume of the Horse Diaries series. Risky Chance is a thoroughbred colt born in the 1930's and bred to race. He has heart and drive and talent, and he tells his story from the time he races his playmates up and down the fence as a yearling through his career as a race horse. Not everything that happens to a race horse is glory and roses, and author Alison Hart doesn't mince details when things take a wrong turn for Chance. But this book is extremely suitable for young readers while giving an even-handed account of what a race horse might actually think of his circumstances. As a horse lover, I loved it.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book and finished it in 45 minutes. While it's an easy read, I believe Hart does the best job out of every Horse Diary book in regards to capturing the horse's emotions. Risky Chance, the star of the book, reminds me a lot of two very significant horses in my life who happen to be Thoroughbreds. Native Cash and Maraschino Cherry. Cash was an ex-racehorse, and Chino is the girl I work with now. This was a good book and a truly sad but heartwarming read!

[Kami · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Yes, I'm still reading these! Gnome is ahead of me by about 4 books. I don't know if I'm going to make it.

- This was another cute cute story full of heart! I liked it a lot.

- I wish every racehorse had happy ending like Chance's. I wish every owner was kind and took good care of their animals. I'm grateful for all the ones who do!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a really cute story especially for young readers. I never really got into the whole series, just kind of chanced upon this one. I lost interest and had trouble getting into it at first, but once I did I enjoyed it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are really cute and fun to read. I also enjoy the history that they share within the books. My daughter enjoys horses, so I'm glad we can get some history for her to enjoy along with the cute stories about horses.

[Alexis A.]

this book was great

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I had never known just how hard the racing life was for horses.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son loved that this story was narrated by the horse :)

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book!

[Hillvan]

630L

[Zizi]

extremely sad, yet fascinating.

[Maykala · Rating 5 out of 5]

amzing asome beautiful

[Brodie Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it