Who Was Seabiscuit?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by James Buckley Jr., Gregory Copeland (Illustrations), Nancy Harrison (Cover Illustrator)

In the middle of the worst depression in U.S. history, one young racehorse lifted a nation's spirits. Seabiscuit was born in 1933 on a farm in Kentucky. Though bred for racing, he was weak and undersized. He slept too long and ate too much. Against the odds, he began to win local races. He was given a new coach who trained him to race in larger circuits. Soon enough, this scrappy horse began beating the best racehorses in the country. He became a media darling and won national competitions. In 1938 he was voted U.S. Horse of the Year. Seabiscuit's undying spirit and come-from-behind story made him a celebrity and hero for millions.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Animals, History, Childrens, Horses, Chapter Books

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2015

About the author

In addition to his work as a professional editor, James Buckley, Jr., is also the author of many books on American sports that are geared toward young fans and budding athletes.

Buckley, who has founded a company called Shoreline Publishing Group to produce books for reluctant readers, maintains that sports are far more than simple hobbies or ways to burn off excess energy.

Reviews

[Janete on hiatus due health issues · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars. Project Learning English by myself through children's books.
"On a foggy morning in summer 1936, horse trainer Tom Smith stood by a Boston racetrack called Suffolk Downs. He was looking for horses that his stable owner could buy. Smith watched horse after horse walked by... The horses were nearly all tall, strong-looking, and elegant. They had long, straight faces and looked around proudly...

Smith had seen a thousand animals like them in his long career helping horses learn how to race.

As he watched, another horse emerged out of the fog. This horse was different. It was smaller than the others. Its legs were not long and lean. Its knees looked like they were different sizes. And instead of walking smoothly and proudly, the horse clumped along awkwardly.

But then the horse stopped. It turned to look at Smith. The trainer later said that the horse gazed down its nose at him and seemed to ask, "Who the devil are you?"

Smith just stared. In all his years of watching horses, he had never seen one like this. He had never had a horse look at him in just that way... As the horse walked away, Smith said, "I'll see you again."

Two months later, Smith did see him again. Smith's boss, Charles Howard, had bought the horse. Over the next four years, Tom Smith helped the horse become one of the greatest racers ever and a real American hero. The horse's name was Seabiscuit." (Pages 1, 2, 3 and 4)

[Charlie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this horse.

[Brandon Kriplean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seabiscuit is him.

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful biography! Seabicuit is amazing!

[Jill Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from my daughter: “Seabiscuit is a fun book that helps you learn facts about his life.”

[Evan]

best who was

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was about the thrilling rise and fall and rise again of a famous race horse called Seabiscuit. He was a well known horse during his life time and an inspiration to many who were facing the Great Depression. He lifted the spirits of America's ordinary citizens. It is a story that shows that anyone or anything can become a success if they put their minds to the goal.

[CL]

A Throughbred (racehorse). His grandsire was Man o’ War, considered one of the greatest racehorses. Initially did not have much success, but after getting new owner and trainer, became champion racer. Became popular as symbol of Great Depression because of his underdog status. Beat War Admiral (his uncle and Triple Crown winner) in a head to head match.

Triple Crown is series of races open only to three year olds.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love this horse and his story. This was as thrilling for my 9yo as Hillenbrand's book was for me (read over a decade ago and not forgotten). It was one of the best Who Was books I've read. I appreciated Buckley's writing and will look for more by him.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think most people who know horse racing have heard of Seabiscuit. But like many people, I knew nothing about this champion.

This is a great "biography" of this beautifully talented horse, his life and career, and the jockey who rode him.

[M.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this book so much! Horses are my life and I loved reading about Seabiscuit. I wish he could have raced for a chance at the Triple Crown, but he will still be remembered for his great victories and losses.

[Stephanie Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and quick read about the amazing horse, Seabiscuit. I learned a lot of horse-racing terminology too. There were great black and white pencil drawings on most pages as well. Makes me want to go watch a horserace :)

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, but the honest truth is, I don't give a fig about horses so it wasn't my favorite to read.

I guess I now know the story of Seabiscuit.

[Karen Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having watched the 2004 movie, I wanted a bit more information on the horse and his backstory. I was emotionally involved in the movie again, and I found that this book made me think I was back in the time period viewing Seabiscuit's triumphs all over again!

[Dana Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story to read with older kids while learning about an interesting character and time period in history. There's a lot of detail, as well as interesting pictures, which kept my 8-year-old engaged. We plan to follow this up with other books in the series.

[David Rough · Rating 4 out of 5]

From underdog (under-horse actually) to dark horse to favorite horse to broken horse to come-back horse, this story of Seabiscuit was a good read. This young-reader historical text provides some good insights into the context of history in the 1930s including the great depressions.

[Emma Rothenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informational and actually pretty similar to a lot of the other Seabiscuit biographies and movies out there. I really liked the illustrations that were paired with it as it helped visualize the biography.

[RougeMyst · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book

[Daphne Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I love this one. What an exciting true story. She didn't want to stop reading.

[Erin Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short bio.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Kentucky transplant, this helped me learn more about the horse racing culture. Many streets in Lexington are named after horses, but I don't think we have a Seabiscuit Road!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing horse.

[Tam Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. I never saw the movies or read the other books. I may need to now.

[Terri Zumbahlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book as an introduction to equestrian terms alongside the life of Seabiscuit. Great for upper elementary.

[Kenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Seeker of Truth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I liked the way it talked about good and bad. Really fun and talks about training as well as racing.

[Grant Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gas

[Shannon Goodrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my ten year old son, I thought it was a great book, and it taught me about horse racing.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this series. If you have elementary students or middle schoolers at home and they need research material for school, have them check these books first!

[Antonela LoRusso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! I love underdog stories.