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Indian Paint
This is the story of a Little Falcon, a Plains Indian boy and Shadow, a paint pony that he raises from birth. It is written BWM, so the Native American way of life is mostly intact – with the only contact with whites are the mountain men and fur traders. The trials that Falcon must go through to keep his horse and the bravery he shows when confronted with setbacks is a terrific life-lesson for young and old. Told from the point of view of both the boy and the horse, the story keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.
Paperback
First published December 31, 1969
About the author
Glenn Balch
38 books15 followersBorn December 11, 1902 in Venus, TX, Glenn Balch was a talented essayist who published many articles in Field & Stream and other outdoor magazines. He was also known for his many juvenile novels. His love for dogs, horses, and the great outdoors marked his life from very early on.
His earliest life memories involved being put on the back of a horse, and first dog, Trix. Early on, his love of reading was fostered and encouraged by his family. After going to college at the age of 16, he wrote for the collegiate newspaper and was involved in athletics. After graduation, he wanted a career outdoors, so he applied to the Forest Service as a fire guard. One reason was that a career as a forest ranger seemed like steadier work than the life of a cowboy. Eventually he received an offer to be a fire guard in Garden Valley, Idaho and in 1925 he moved to the Gem State, together with his new bride.
After that first fire season, he rode horseback from Garden Valley to Boise to apply for a newspaper job and was hired by the Idaho Statesman. He spent the next five years as a roving reporter, traveling about the state, combining hunting and fishing expeditions with his newspaper work. He wanted to spend more time doing his own writing, so resigned from the Statesman after his divorce and relocated to Boise. The Statesman did not want Balch to resign, so they offered him a position as a night telegraph editor, leaving his days free. Balch found it still prevented him from doing his own writing and also interfered with a newly found passion for polo, which was popular in Boise in the 1920s and 30s. With his love of horses, horseback riding, and athletic competition, Glenn Balch wanted to be part of the polo scene. In the Spring of 1931 he enlisted in the Idaho National Guard and became a member of its Boise polo squad. In 1932, he began to get his articles published in both Field & Stream and The American Boy. In 1937 he enrolled in a writing class as Columbia University in New York, where he met Elise Kendall, a fellow student from Florida. She became his second wife. On their return to Boise in 1938, they bought a house, settled down, and began raising a family. Balch had one daughter, Betty, from his first marriage to Faula Mashburn, and three more children-daughters Mary and Nikki and son Olin-with his wife Elise. His first novel was published in 1937.
When the United States entered World War II, he entered active duty as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was commanding officer of the 10th Combat Camera Unit in the China-Burma-India campaign and was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war was over, he resumed his career as a writer of juveniles, writing many. Several of his books were translated into foreign languages, and two were illustrated by acclaimed illustrator Ezra Jack Keats. In 1965 his novel Indian Paint was made into a motion picture starring Johnny Crawford and Jay Silverheels.
His 34th and last book was published in 1976. He died in September of 1989 from injuries after an automobile accident on August 29. The following year, two of his novels were republished as part of Idaho's statehood centennial commemoration.
His earliest life memories involved being put on the back of a horse, and first dog, Trix. Early on, his love of reading was fostered and encouraged by his family. After going to college at the age of 16, he wrote for the collegiate newspaper and was involved in athletics. After graduation, he wanted a career outdoors, so he applied to the Forest Service as a fire guard. One reason was that a career as a forest ranger seemed like steadier work than the life of a cowboy. Eventually he received an offer to be a fire guard in Garden Valley, Idaho and in 1925 he moved to the Gem State, together with his new bride.
After that first fire season, he rode horseback from Garden Valley to Boise to apply for a newspaper job and was hired by the Idaho Statesman. He spent the next five years as a roving reporter, traveling about the state, combining hunting and fishing expeditions with his newspaper work. He wanted to spend more time doing his own writing, so resigned from the Statesman after his divorce and relocated to Boise. The Statesman did not want Balch to resign, so they offered him a position as a night telegraph editor, leaving his days free. Balch found it still prevented him from doing his own writing and also interfered with a newly found passion for polo, which was popular in Boise in the 1920s and 30s. With his love of horses, horseback riding, and athletic competition, Glenn Balch wanted to be part of the polo scene. In the Spring of 1931 he enlisted in the Idaho National Guard and became a member of its Boise polo squad. In 1932, he began to get his articles published in both Field & Stream and The American Boy. In 1937 he enrolled in a writing class as Columbia University in New York, where he met Elise Kendall, a fellow student from Florida. She became his second wife. On their return to Boise in 1938, they bought a house, settled down, and began raising a family. Balch had one daughter, Betty, from his first marriage to Faula Mashburn, and three more children-daughters Mary and Nikki and son Olin-with his wife Elise. His first novel was published in 1937.
When the United States entered World War II, he entered active duty as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was commanding officer of the 10th Combat Camera Unit in the China-Burma-India campaign and was awarded the Bronze Star.
After the war was over, he resumed his career as a writer of juveniles, writing many. Several of his books were translated into foreign languages, and two were illustrated by acclaimed illustrator Ezra Jack Keats. In 1965 his novel Indian Paint was made into a motion picture starring Johnny Crawford and Jay Silverheels.
His 34th and last book was published in 1976. He died in September of 1989 from injuries after an automobile accident on August 29. The following year, two of his novels were republished as part of Idaho's statehood centennial commemoration.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 12, 2013
"Indian Paint" is the story of an Indian boy, Little Falcon, and the offspring of a wild stallion, a colt he names Shadow. The story is set in the great Plains region of the US at a time when the native Americans still led their traditional ways, and white men were only just coming into that wild region - mainly fur trappers and horse breakers.
Little Falcon is given his choice of horse when he comes of age and he chooses an unborn foal, contrary to his father's wishes. he is determined that this horse will be a great one, and he sets out, not to break the colt, but to train it with kind and gentle care.
However the foal is taken from him, not once, but three times, and Little Falcon must overcome severe hardship, dangers and setbacks in order to rescue his beloved Shadow.
Glenn Balch was the author of several books for young readers, publishing most between the 1940s and 1960s, and many were later re-published. This edition of "Indian Paint" was probably written about 1942 and the writing is a little old-fashioned, with a portrayal of the Indians that reflects the views of the time - the noble savage.
However the story, partly told from the POV of the boy and partly of the horse, is a great story. Several generations of readers have enjoyed this tale of a brave and persistent young hero and an equally brave young colt. Plenty of action and adventure will certainly keep the interest of the young reader
Little Falcon is given his choice of horse when he comes of age and he chooses an unborn foal, contrary to his father's wishes. he is determined that this horse will be a great one, and he sets out, not to break the colt, but to train it with kind and gentle care.
However the foal is taken from him, not once, but three times, and Little Falcon must overcome severe hardship, dangers and setbacks in order to rescue his beloved Shadow.
Glenn Balch was the author of several books for young readers, publishing most between the 1940s and 1960s, and many were later re-published. This edition of "Indian Paint" was probably written about 1942 and the writing is a little old-fashioned, with a portrayal of the Indians that reflects the views of the time - the noble savage.
However the story, partly told from the POV of the boy and partly of the horse, is a great story. Several generations of readers have enjoyed this tale of a brave and persistent young hero and an equally brave young colt. Plenty of action and adventure will certainly keep the interest of the young reader
May 8, 2020
I had heard great things about Glenn Balch, and was told by my dad that this book was definitely worth the read. Little Falcon knows what he wants, from before the Paint colt is even born. Through hardships and trials, despite setbacks that would cause others less determined to give up, the son of his tribe's chief relentlessly pursues his dream of taming and riding Shadow, son of the wild stallion from the high mesa. The book definitely started a little slow, but I was quickly pulled into the narrative. It took me a little longer than I would have liked to finish, (just because some parts of the book were slow) but it was a good read overall.
September 16, 2019
Didn't expect much, only have it because my grandmother was weirdly insistent on it not being thrown out because my dad loved it as a kid. Sat on the shelf unread for thirty years, but I'm trying not to buy books this year, get the unread pile down.
Anyways, what a surprise, a lean, efficiently and economically told tale. Danger, excitement, pathos - it's all there. Doesn't even need to demonise the white man. Not that I would have had a problem with that, given their behaviour towards the native American, but there's a narrative purity in portraying them as largely abstract, just another obstacle between the boy and his horse. It's not needed, so Balch doesn't do it.
Elegant, in a deceptively simple way. And though obviously for the young 'uns, enough of a well told story to keep the attention of the older reader. (Would have been great, mind, if the illustrations didn't give the ending away before they got there)
Anyways, what a surprise, a lean, efficiently and economically told tale. Danger, excitement, pathos - it's all there. Doesn't even need to demonise the white man. Not that I would have had a problem with that, given their behaviour towards the native American, but there's a narrative purity in portraying them as largely abstract, just another obstacle between the boy and his horse. It's not needed, so Balch doesn't do it.
Elegant, in a deceptively simple way. And though obviously for the young 'uns, enough of a well told story to keep the attention of the older reader. (Would have been great, mind, if the illustrations didn't give the ending away before they got there)
February 26, 2021
Recently discovered the author Glenn Balch who was the author of several books for young readers, publishing most between the 1940s and 1960s, and many were later re-published. this is my 3rd of his books & am planning on finding every one there is. i like his work
as many books of the time & genre this was aimed at younger boy audiences. seriously tho they are excellent for any reader. of any age (hey, 68 is younger, right?! lol)
there is plenty of action and adventure will certainly keep the interest of the reader as its was a really engaging story
my edition of the book 1942 book is a scholastic book services paperback from 1970 - being a library discard, its surprising it hasn't fallen apart yet. but i keep it because its one i will be re-reading.
The writing is a little old-fashioned, with a portrayal of the Indians that reflects the views of the time - the noble savage.
However the story, partly told from the POV of the boy and partly of the horse, is a great story. Several generations of readers have enjoyed this tale of a brave and persistent (you might say Stubborn) young man and an equally brave young colt, i found myself drawn into the story and the complicated relationship between Little Falcon and Shadow.
At times, it felt a little bit like a crazy amount of bad luck,but how the two get thru their hard times is the main point of the story.
overall i really like the book. and the author. he was of the generation of writers that were often restricted to the genre of 'young' readers because of storylines that encouraged thinking & courage as well as deep friendships.
publishers then seemed to think 'adults' wouldn't be bothered. sad that. as for me, am hunting for more of his stories..
*******************************
Glenn Balch (1902 - 1989) was born in Texas. His books were about ranching, horses and outdoor life, all of which he had experienced in his youth. His first ambition was to work outdoors, and he managed to find a job as a fire guard in the Forest Service, this being more secure than being a cowboy.
Glenn Balch is usually classified as an author of juvenile literature, but that is not the full story. He was also a talented essayist whose articles on hunting and the outdoors appeared in Field & Stream and other outdoor magazines. But it is his stories and novels for younger readers that are most remembered. "I didn't start out with the intention of writing for children only," he recalled. "Everyone was welcome. But of course, they had to like my stories and my style of writing." And that audience proved to be children. "The publishers and I had the same goal, which was to corral as many readers as possible. What kind of writer they called me, then and now, is not very important. The story was the thing." ["The Juvenile Writer," Idaho Librarian 34 (October 1982), 150.]
as many books of the time & genre this was aimed at younger boy audiences. seriously tho they are excellent for any reader. of any age (hey, 68 is younger, right?! lol)
there is plenty of action and adventure will certainly keep the interest of the reader as its was a really engaging story
my edition of the book 1942 book is a scholastic book services paperback from 1970 - being a library discard, its surprising it hasn't fallen apart yet. but i keep it because its one i will be re-reading.
The writing is a little old-fashioned, with a portrayal of the Indians that reflects the views of the time - the noble savage.
However the story, partly told from the POV of the boy and partly of the horse, is a great story. Several generations of readers have enjoyed this tale of a brave and persistent (you might say Stubborn) young man and an equally brave young colt, i found myself drawn into the story and the complicated relationship between Little Falcon and Shadow.
At times, it felt a little bit like a crazy amount of bad luck,but how the two get thru their hard times is the main point of the story.
overall i really like the book. and the author. he was of the generation of writers that were often restricted to the genre of 'young' readers because of storylines that encouraged thinking & courage as well as deep friendships.
publishers then seemed to think 'adults' wouldn't be bothered. sad that. as for me, am hunting for more of his stories..
*******************************
Glenn Balch (1902 - 1989) was born in Texas. His books were about ranching, horses and outdoor life, all of which he had experienced in his youth. His first ambition was to work outdoors, and he managed to find a job as a fire guard in the Forest Service, this being more secure than being a cowboy.
Glenn Balch is usually classified as an author of juvenile literature, but that is not the full story. He was also a talented essayist whose articles on hunting and the outdoors appeared in Field & Stream and other outdoor magazines. But it is his stories and novels for younger readers that are most remembered. "I didn't start out with the intention of writing for children only," he recalled. "Everyone was welcome. But of course, they had to like my stories and my style of writing." And that audience proved to be children. "The publishers and I had the same goal, which was to corral as many readers as possible. What kind of writer they called me, then and now, is not very important. The story was the thing." ["The Juvenile Writer," Idaho Librarian 34 (October 1982), 150.]
October 19, 2017
While I didn't think I was going to hate this book, I really wasn't anticipating much. However, there was a really engaging story here, and I found myself quite drawn into the complicated relationship between Little Falcon and Shadow. At times, it felt a little bit like a ridiculous amount of bad luck, but everything came together in the end, with a lot of exciting adventures in between. 3.5/5.
September 22, 2016
Read this to my 7 year old son and he loved it. A good story about a young man's perseverance to gain the trust of a colt he picked for his own out of his father's herd. Despite many setbacks and trails, eventually the colt chooses to stay with Little Falcon, to the joy of my son who sat on pins and needles waiting to see what would happen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2010
Richard's dad had this book when he was a kid. Richard read it when he was little. We were happy to find a copy of it and read it to our kids.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews