The White Stallion

by Elizabeth Shub

On the way across Texas, Gretchen falls asleep on the back of an old mare and awakens in the middle of a band of wild horses

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

54 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet children's book told by the Grammy to her young grandchildren. She relates the story HER Grammy told her about riding west with her family in a Conestoga covered wagon. The grammy(as a child) is tied onto the back of their old saddle horse which is also burdened with 2 large bags of cornmeal. One of the wagon party breaks an axle causing the wagon train to stop to make repairs. While repairs were being made the mare and Child Grammy were lost only to encounter a band of mustangs led by a white stallion. It's her fantastic experience with the wild horses and the great white Stallion that gave her something to always remember. The wild horses helped her and her saddle horse get back to the wagon train. The Stallion saved her life.

[Eirian Houpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and Sweet

This is just the kind of perfect 'end of day' book to read to children before going home from school, or to read as a bed time story. Full of the poetic magic of love and loyalty, and a girl being saved by a wild but gentle horse, it is beautifully written with very well illustrated. It was an enjoyable read.

[Tami Gandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1845 a young girl on the family's trusted mare wanders away from the Wagon train. Gretchen's father had used corn meal bags tied to the mare's barrel so Gretchen wouldn't fall off. Gretchen fell asleep and awakes not knowing where Anna their mare had taken her. She doesn't see the wagon train anywhere but they are near a stream. Suddenly a group of wild mares come up to Anna to sniff and then suddenly begin biting at the bags of corn meal and ropes. Gretchen screams. A white stallion appears and bites through rope and lifts Gretchen off Anna's back and gently puts her on the ground. With a motion of his head the stallion and mares gallop away along with Anna following.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gretchen and her family are moving west. One day she gets tired of riding in the hot wagon so her father ties her to their faithful mare, Anna. While Gretchen's father is repairing his axle, Anna wanders off with a sleeping Gretchen on her back. When Gretchen awakes the wagon train isn't in sight. Anna has found a group of wild horses. The white stallion nibbles the cords that hold Gretchen on Anna's back. Gretchen slides off, and Anna runs away with the wild horses. All alone in the woods Gretchen cries herself to sleep that night wondering how she will ever find her family and the wagon train. This book tells a simplified version of the white stallion’s story as it is found in James F. Dobie’s Tales of the Mustang. The Wild Ghost White Stallion of the Nebraskan plains is the stuff of legend. Shub’s book provides young readers with a sweet yet exciting tale of one young girl’s encounter with this almost mythical horse.

[Mirrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, poetic story of a girl in the pioneer days, who finds a wild, white stallion when she gets separated from the caravan. There are times when a grown person would think "Would a horse REALLY do that?" but a young reader (or listener) will simply enjoy the magic of this wagon-train tale. Beautiful illustrations accompany a well told family-history-type story. I enjoyed reading and can see where even a very young child would want this as their bedtime story. It'll even make them feel all grown up, since it has the look of a chapter book.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining tale about a little girl's experience with some wild horses during her family's trek to the West in 1845. The story is short, without any chapter breaks, but would be good for a child who is starting to read chapter books. There are lots of black and white illustrations that make the story seem longer than it really is. Our youngest read this book independently and then I read it quickly before we donated it to her school for a book swap.

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not realizing how low a level this book was written at, I checked it out of the library. Read it in one short sitting. I would expect second graders to be able to read this. They may or may not enjoy it. I didn't and my children weren't interested either.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about a little girl and a wild stallion.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great real story of a brave little girl and wild horses.

[Lydia]

a very quiet, subtle real book. one of my favorites as a kid.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was a little too old to really appreciate it. Very simply storyline, about a girl traveling west with her family via covered wagon, and she gets lost and finds a white stallion.

[Laura Wallace]

I remember liking this, but not much else. I'd like to find it again.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was and still is one of my favorite books from childhood. Love it, still have my copy but it is very tattered.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Level - Grades 2-3

Cute story that grandma might tell her granddaughter. My 4 year old enjoyed it.

[Ashlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

it a childs book, take 1 minute to read, but it totally resembles my passion for horses!!!!!!!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy book that my daughter read to herself. Lots of nice illustrations and simple text layout that made for a page turner. A family legend, for sure!

[Alexia]

bad book not interesting at all

[Itzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was easy to read and i read it in a flash

[Partridge Public]

Shub, Elizabeth PB

[Hannah Watson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why I read this. It was a short read, but it wasn't much of a story. There isn't much historical backdrop to explain why Gretchen's father thought it was normal to tie a kid to a horse. You have to know about the time period already before the set up makes any kind of sense. When we finally get to the titular White Stallion, it's a total let down. Gretchen has no connection with him- he's just there for Gretchen's mare. Sure, he could have abandoned Gretchen, and honestly that might have made more of a fun book. The Gretchen might have actually done something rather than just be there having things happening around her. It's a cool family tale (assuming it's true), but not much of a read.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and simple book, written for grades K - 2. The story is a narrative told by a grandmother to her granddaughter. She's telling her a family story, passed down by her grandmother, of travel into the west. The story follows a young Gretchen and her faithful horse Anna as they brave the trails that lead across the then wild west along with Gretchen's family. There are plenty of pictures to keep the kids engaged, and the story is just the kind you would imagine would be passed down through a family, told at bedtime or by the light of a campfire.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for young readers that introduces them to concepts about the Oregon Trail without getting in the nitty gritty. The story is marketed as true and I don't doubt it's veracity - horses are intelligent creatures and while not horses would behave in this way, I could see it happening. I was on the fence about whether or not to get this book, and I'm glad I added to our personal library.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommending this for 4th graders with a third grade reading level. It's a brief, simple read about a little girl heading west in a Conestoga wagon with her family, and then gets separated from her entire group overnight! While away, she meets a white stallion, rather a hero in the story, and perhaps a bit mystical.

[Mary L.]

For the illustrations it would be a 5! The story was interesting as a family legend. It was told with skill but I am 81 not 8 or 9 so it didn't thrill me. I hope that my great granddaughter will enjoy it.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ WITH GRANT FOR ELA SUMMER

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to history.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for younger kids and this book has been in my family for 3 generations!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and sweet. 2nd grade level book. An interesting story, but no great moral.

[Kourtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story

[Gracie Schlabach · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, a short sweet first chapter book, and the illustrations are lovely.