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Horses of the Maury River Stables #1
Chancey of the Maury River
Told through a horse’s eyes, here is the entrancing tale of an Appaloosa who finds a chance to renew his trust, and of the humans he helps to restore.
On the night that Chancey is born, a "fire star" gallops across the sky, a signal that a great horse has entered the world. But it will take many years of slights and hardships before the orphaned albino will believe that the prophecy is truly meant for him. First he must find a home at the Maury River Stables and a girl named Claire who needs him as much as he needs her. Then, when his aching joints and impending blindness bring an end to their training together, he must start a new chapter as a therapeutic horse, healing people with wounds both visible and unseen. In the manner of a latter-day Black Beauty, Chancey’s observant voice narrates this absorbing story, filled with fascinating details of life at the stable and keen insight into equine instinct, human emotion, and the ineffable bond that connects them both.
On the night that Chancey is born, a "fire star" gallops across the sky, a signal that a great horse has entered the world. But it will take many years of slights and hardships before the orphaned albino will believe that the prophecy is truly meant for him. First he must find a home at the Maury River Stables and a girl named Claire who needs him as much as he needs her. Then, when his aching joints and impending blindness bring an end to their training together, he must start a new chapter as a therapeutic horse, healing people with wounds both visible and unseen. In the manner of a latter-day Black Beauty, Chancey’s observant voice narrates this absorbing story, filled with fascinating details of life at the stable and keen insight into equine instinct, human emotion, and the ineffable bond that connects them both.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 16, 2008
8 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Gigi Amateau
10 books44 followersGigi Amateau was born in northeastern Mississippi and raised in Mechanicsville, Virginia, just outside of Richmond. Her first young adult novel, Claiming Georgia Tate (Candlewick Press, 2005), described as “a moving first offering” by School Library Journal, was selected as a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, Voice of Youth Advocates Review Editor’s Choice, and a Book Sense Summer Pick. It was also nominated for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Children’s Book Award and the American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults list.
Among other upcoming titles, Chancey of the Maury River will be published by Candlewick Press in May 2008.
Among other upcoming titles, Chancey of the Maury River will be published by Candlewick Press in May 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 12, 2025
reread sept 2025
this book has done more for me than the current US administration
when my mom bought me this book when i was a kid, i doubt she had any idea how much i would end up relating to it when i was older. after feeling slumpish i decided to pick this book up because it used to be one of my favorites, and it was the perfect cheery and nostalgic read i needed. an aging gelding gets taken in by a little girl and he's not able to do a lot because he's a lil old man who's going blind?! yeah this one was a sucker punch to the gut after losing my horse olly but my little horse girl heart was so full when i finished this
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original review, 2014
OH MY GOD THIS USED TO BE MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME AND I THOUGHT IT WAS HUGE AND SUCH AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT I'D READ A CHAPTER BOOK
this book has done more for me than the current US administration
when my mom bought me this book when i was a kid, i doubt she had any idea how much i would end up relating to it when i was older. after feeling slumpish i decided to pick this book up because it used to be one of my favorites, and it was the perfect cheery and nostalgic read i needed. an aging gelding gets taken in by a little girl and he's not able to do a lot because he's a lil old man who's going blind?! yeah this one was a sucker punch to the gut after losing my horse olly but my little horse girl heart was so full when i finished this
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original review, 2014
OH MY GOD THIS USED TO BE MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME AND I THOUGHT IT WAS HUGE AND SUCH AN ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT I'D READ A CHAPTER BOOK
Read
August 26, 2023i have NO CLUE how this ended up coming across my goodreads radar but i read this at the library as a kid and i was SOOOOO into it i have a very clear memory of standing in the middle of the shelves j reading one specific scene (the jumping fail one) and i completely forgot this book existed until RIght now what is going on. man i was such a horse girl
January 3, 2018
Chancey of the Maury River was an amazing book. At first, it didn't seem very exciting, but I kept reading and fell in love. Told from a horse's (Chancey's) point of view, this book will capture the hearts of anybody who loves horses and ponies.
Chancey lives a decent but not perfect life with a woman who keeps him only because he is a reminder of his dam. Eventually, this woman's husband dies, and she is forced to sell her horses. All of these horses are sold to riding students. All of them except Chancey, who nobody wants because of his albinism, old age, poor eyesight, and refusal to jump. Finally, Mrs. Maiden at The Maury River Stables agrees to take him until he can find a permanent home. A little girl named Claire helps Mrs. Maiden fix Chancey up and becomes very attached to him. This book is one of my all-time favorites and I think it will be one of yours too.
Chancey lives a decent but not perfect life with a woman who keeps him only because he is a reminder of his dam. Eventually, this woman's husband dies, and she is forced to sell her horses. All of these horses are sold to riding students. All of them except Chancey, who nobody wants because of his albinism, old age, poor eyesight, and refusal to jump. Finally, Mrs. Maiden at The Maury River Stables agrees to take him until he can find a permanent home. A little girl named Claire helps Mrs. Maiden fix Chancey up and becomes very attached to him. This book is one of my all-time favorites and I think it will be one of yours too.
March 13, 2023
I have met this author before and even took a workshop that she led. That said, I'm not really that into horses or related fiction, and I don't remember connecting much with this book personally. I do like the author in general though.
May 14, 2017
Oh, it was such a sweet book. Gigi Ameteu did it again.
October 4, 2017
I loved this book, truly from the heart. A wonderful book for animal lovers.
January 17, 2018
It was good
March 12, 2018
If you can look past the anthropomorphism this is just beautiful. Emotional, insightful and well done.
May 30, 2019
This review is written by Clio (age 7) and may contain spoilers!
This book was wonderful, but really sad. My mom and I both cried. It was written from the horses perspective and I liked that.
This book was wonderful, but really sad. My mom and I both cried. It was written from the horses perspective and I liked that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2025
a childhood fav
March 16, 2017
To say the least I've read this book to the point I've got parts of it memorized...
October 4, 2013
I really liked the book Chancey of Maury River by: Gigi Amateau. The book takes place at a little farm called Maury River Stables and is about a pony named Chancey. Chancey lived at a stable that was bankrupt after Monique’s (the barn manager) husband dies. She has to sell all her horses but can’t find Chancey a home. Throughout the beginning of the book Chancey goes to many barns but never ends up staying there. Chancey tries to find his forever home so he doesn’t have to worry about his future.
This book is told from Chancey’s point of view. Chancey is a 20 year old Appaloosa gelding in this book and is explaining all he goes through to get an owner as good as Claire. He explains how his cancer is getting worse and taking away his eyesight. Also, sometimes he has flashbacks to him and his mother in a field at their old barn. By reading from an animal’s point of view you get a whole new look at life. This is different than a person’s point of view because horses don’t have the same characteristics that people do. My perspective changed based on how the book changed from the beginning. In the beginning Chancey didn’t know he had cancer or even where his future would lead. I saw how much Claire cared about him and how that changed the way people looked at him. I was mad at Monique to just leave Chancey in the field with no water or food until she found Claire at Maury River Stables. I got madder at Monique toward the end of the book because she never got to visit or help with Chancey’s eye problems.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy looking at a different perspective and animal’s lovers. I don’t recommend this book to people who have no interest in animals because it is only about animals. I found this book very good! When people think of ponies they just see cute little animals. However, this book showed what is can really be like for a pony. Everyday Chancey lost more of his sight and confidence. There is a lot of descriptivism in this book and every chapter make you want to keep reading. This book will make you really think about animals and there points of view. I couldn’t wait to finish and find out what happens.
This book is told from Chancey’s point of view. Chancey is a 20 year old Appaloosa gelding in this book and is explaining all he goes through to get an owner as good as Claire. He explains how his cancer is getting worse and taking away his eyesight. Also, sometimes he has flashbacks to him and his mother in a field at their old barn. By reading from an animal’s point of view you get a whole new look at life. This is different than a person’s point of view because horses don’t have the same characteristics that people do. My perspective changed based on how the book changed from the beginning. In the beginning Chancey didn’t know he had cancer or even where his future would lead. I saw how much Claire cared about him and how that changed the way people looked at him. I was mad at Monique to just leave Chancey in the field with no water or food until she found Claire at Maury River Stables. I got madder at Monique toward the end of the book because she never got to visit or help with Chancey’s eye problems.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy looking at a different perspective and animal’s lovers. I don’t recommend this book to people who have no interest in animals because it is only about animals. I found this book very good! When people think of ponies they just see cute little animals. However, this book showed what is can really be like for a pony. Everyday Chancey lost more of his sight and confidence. There is a lot of descriptivism in this book and every chapter make you want to keep reading. This book will make you really think about animals and there points of view. I couldn’t wait to finish and find out what happens.
October 28, 2015
Time: 2011 - Place: Maury River in the Blue Mountains - 246 pages
Summary: Chancey, an albino appaloosa (but very well bred), struggles to find his purpose in life (but not Black Beauty kind of struggle). He tells his story of how he found Claire, his girl, and discovered that jumping was not his thing. Instead, after much worry, effort, and experimenting, Chancey and Claire and the other horses and people at the farm discover his true talent is in therapy riding. Though he is blind in one eye, and eventually both, his love and trust in others guides him into happiness.
Likes:
1. Flawless voice throughout.
2. Beautiful insight into the mind of a horse.
3. Clever point of view.
4. I swelled with emotion on nearly every page. Misty, happy tears, warm fuzzies, love for my own horse.
Dislikes: Not one, single, solitary thing. Honestly, this was the best horse story I've read in a long, long time. It sits on my shelf now next to The Black Stallion and My Friend Flicka.
Summary: Chancey, an albino appaloosa (but very well bred), struggles to find his purpose in life (but not Black Beauty kind of struggle). He tells his story of how he found Claire, his girl, and discovered that jumping was not his thing. Instead, after much worry, effort, and experimenting, Chancey and Claire and the other horses and people at the farm discover his true talent is in therapy riding. Though he is blind in one eye, and eventually both, his love and trust in others guides him into happiness.
Likes:
1. Flawless voice throughout.
2. Beautiful insight into the mind of a horse.
3. Clever point of view.
4. I swelled with emotion on nearly every page. Misty, happy tears, warm fuzzies, love for my own horse.
Dislikes: Not one, single, solitary thing. Honestly, this was the best horse story I've read in a long, long time. It sits on my shelf now next to The Black Stallion and My Friend Flicka.
January 10, 2023
I wanted to feel bad about hating this book. But I didn't, and I still don't.
The only thing worse than a horse narrator is a boring, syrupy sweet horse narrator who inspires everyone, makes the world a better place and would probably cure cancer, too, if he only had hands.
So when poor Chancey got cancer (or parasitic worms, or something, I didn't really care, so why would I try to remember?) I thought maybe there would be a happy ending where he selflessly volunteers for the glue factory. Do they still do that? And even if they don't, could they have made an exception for Chancey?
Sadly, we will never know, because the book keeps going for reasons that I'm sure made sense to the author. Likely it had something to do with a paycheck: money or oats or whatever they pay people who write stories about insufferable, angelic horses.
The only thing worse than a horse narrator is a boring, syrupy sweet horse narrator who inspires everyone, makes the world a better place and would probably cure cancer, too, if he only had hands.
So when poor Chancey got cancer (or parasitic worms, or something, I didn't really care, so why would I try to remember?) I thought maybe there would be a happy ending where he selflessly volunteers for the glue factory. Do they still do that? And even if they don't, could they have made an exception for Chancey?
Sadly, we will never know, because the book keeps going for reasons that I'm sure made sense to the author. Likely it had something to do with a paycheck: money or oats or whatever they pay people who write stories about insufferable, angelic horses.
July 13, 2013
A wonderful story about an unlikely outcast of a horse that proves his reliability time and again. Chancey is definitely a novel for the horse lover, full of equine related facts as well as a great story that proves to be a bit of a tear jerker at the end! Told from the point of view of an albino Appaloosa gelding, Chancey is well worth the read.
http://equus-blog.com/chancey-of-the-...
http://equus-blog.com/chancey-of-the-...
Currently reading
July 13, 2008I am half way into this book and I love it so far. I picture the characters very well in my head (and well, they look identical to GiGi and Judith... 2 beautiful females!) and am loving that it is from the perspective of the horse. Every horse that I have seen since I started reading this book (which is quite a few) I have wondered their thoughts more. Fabulous!!!!!!!
February 12, 2009
Told by an albino Appaloosa in a formal first-person voice, this story is in many ways reminiscent of Black Beauty. The style is sentimental, bordering on maudlin at times, but heartfelt and sure to evoke tears. As a horse-crazy girl, I would have loved Chancey's tale even more than I do as a horse lovin' adult. A modern classic to be reread and cherished.
July 24, 2010
p246 realistic fiction. horse story, animal
Told from the perspective of the horse, Chancey. It tells his life story and how he ends up with the perfect match in the girl Claire.
There is a lot of vocabulary specific to caring for horses. I think the books will be appreciated most by girls who are interested in horses and animals.
Told from the perspective of the horse, Chancey. It tells his life story and how he ends up with the perfect match in the girl Claire.
There is a lot of vocabulary specific to caring for horses. I think the books will be appreciated most by girls who are interested in horses and animals.
March 3, 2011
I wouldn't have picked this book up usually, but it was chosen for book club. This is a very sweet story told from the perspective of Chancey, an aging albino horse. I would recommend Chancey for younger readers- grades 3-5. It is a gentle story with some sickness and death. Overall, the book is really positive and has many loving relationships in it.
November 18, 2014
The writing style of Black Beauty was a little awkward here, and felt like it was trying too hard to imitate the classic, but that was a minor qualm. This is a magnificent new kid's horse story, with none of the fantasy element implied by the "fire star beacon" on the inside jacket. He's just a noble old school horse getting a new lease on life. There is hope for animal literature yet...
December 16, 2016
I was given the amazing opportunity to work with Gigi Amateau after being chosen to participate in GOYA (guild of young authors), when I was in 7th grade (i'm a junior in highschool now). I thoroughly enjoyed talking about horses with her while she taught me and a few other girls in the guild about writing methods and tips. This book was stunning both in the writing and the story line.
December 1, 2009
This book was awesome as an ARC and I loved it, it shows the battle a small little horse can go though and how these animals can really help us in ways we don't even know. It was a cute little book, a bit sad, but it was very good. Another nice quick read.
September 10, 2010
I love this book! The idea is amazing, "Bring love back" And Chancey is wonderful - live long chancey! I SO see a riding school run by Claire, Kenzie, Trevor, and Zach in the future. Saddle Mountain Stables! :)
March 18, 2011
I read this book and I loved it! it is sad though to think that the horse didnt get to do all the stuff that Claire said they would. they made it to the top of the mountian but the horse was blind by then! overall this was a great book.
April 22, 2016
So, I think this really probably went over MeiMei's head (age 6) but oh how I loved this book. Deep emotion and lyrical prose. "Horse books" aren't normally really my thing, but I found this one to be beautiful.
August 16, 2008
Gigi Amateau is brillant!
March 5, 2009
Kind of a Black Beauty rip-off.
January 9, 2011
I wonder if I had read this as a kid if I would have approached riding and caring for a horse differently. A good book and interesting from the horse's point of view.
October 3, 2011
What can I say? My mother loved this one. Hahahaha
February 16, 2012
Different reading this brom the horses point of view....liked it...might consider it for one of the book clubs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews