Storm Horse

by Nick Garlick

With his mother missing and his father dead, 12-year-old Flip's new home is a remote storm-tossed Dutch island. Menaced by the local bullies and with a shadowy mute girl as his only friend, Flip tries to adapt to life on his uncle's farm - but his whole life changes when a sunken transport ship leaves a drowning stallion floundering in the waves. Risking his life to rescue it, Flip is told he can keep the troublesome horse if he can teach it how to work for its keep.

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

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2015

Reviews

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars!

This book had been on my TBR for nearly 4 years! Storm Horse is a Middle-Grade novel set in Holland and follows a young boy called Flip. He is eleven and was living with his Dad in the centre of Amsterdam until he drowns in a river. Flip's Mum left the family a few years prior due to the breakdown in relationship between her and her husband. Flip is then sent to live with his Uncle, Aunt and cousin on an island off of the Dutch mainland and becomes a target for a set of cruel bullies just after his arrival. During a fierce storm, he and 'the ghost girl' rescue a horse out in the ocean and Flip wants to keep it as his own. A story about bonding, adventure and friendship! The length was short and overall, the pacing was quick. I wasn't a fan of most of the characters throughout, particularly Flip's Uncle who was prone to some angry outbursts. I did enjoy the connection between Flip and the horse. The world was hard to visualise for the majority of the read!

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flip is an 11-year-old boy living in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, when his world gets flipped upside down and he has to move to a Dutch island to live with his uncle. While Flip begins to discovers the joy of country living, he also experiences some loneliness and bullying but one day rescues a horse from the sea who he calls Storm. Now Flip has to work hard at making sure he can keep his new friend, and keep him safe from those trying to harm him.

This is a brilliant middle-grade book and perfect for any one who loves horses or just loves some boyish adventures. Flip is an extremely adorable main character and I really love his character development throughout the book from a meek, mild boy afraid to even talk to his uncle to someone who isn’t afraid of standing up for what he believes in or who. Flip’s connection with horses is extremely enviable and his relationship with Storm is lovely to read about - while i would have loved a bit more of Flip learning to ride, this isn’t that kind of book. It focuses more on the building of relationships and the trust between boy and horse.

This book confronts bullying and Flip does suffer from bullying and intimidation throughout. He learns himself how to stand up for himself and be proud of who he is and i loved it. In typical children’s book form, the bad guys get their comeuppance which was extremely satisfactory. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the ‘Ghost Girl’. She was a bit of mystery added to the book but I really liked her.

I love that this was set in somewhere I’ve never been and somewhere i’m unfamiliar about so just the ways of life, and language was new to me and I loved hearing stories about the island, like the sunken village and the quick sand.

Adventure, friendship and horses. Perfect for fans of The Black Stallion or Black Beauty! Definitely recommend it.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read review in its entirety at
http://www.compassbookratings.com/rev...

Sticking to his middle grade literary roots, author Nick Garlick, takes a departure from sci-fi fantasy and offers a different style for readers in Storm Horse.

It’s the mid-1960’s, and through some unfortunate circumstances, 12-year-old Flip comes to live with his uncle’s family on their farm located on the small Dutch island of Mossum.

Third person narrative captures smooth fluid writing as readers get to know Flip and discover his new surroundings alongside him. The author captures readers’ attention with his description of farm and island life, while realistic conflict moves the story forward as Flip faces internal and external conflict.

A wonderful character for readers to become acquainted with, Flip displays tenacity with his adjustment to his new circumstances, bravery as he overcomes fears, and sensitivity with his consideration for others.

Although the story revolves around Flip, he is not the only intriguing character that is presented; there is a curious child Flip dubs as ghost girl, some unruly bullies, and caring individuals that come in human and animal form.

Readers will enjoy the presentation of light mystery, and the few action and adventure scenes that will be sure to raise their heart rates.

A fantastic book for animal lovers, Storm Horse is a traditional equine novel that is comparable to classics such as Black Beauty and My Friend Flicka.

[Abigail Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this book in the library I thought it was going to be somewhat of a ree write of the black stallion . wow was I wrong. This book is amazing it kept my interest and I could put it down!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Flip's father dies, he's sent to live with an uncle he's never met in a remote part of the Netherlands. Uncle Andries knew Flip's father was a thief and expects Flip to be the same. Flip tries his best to help out on the farm and dodge the local bullies, and he's making headway until the day a big storm causes a shipwreck and Flip manages to save a horse from the water, with the help of a little girl who doesn't speak. Flip wants to keep the horse he names Storm, but it will be a hard path.

Sometimes I just like to read a nice horse story. You have the orphan kid, the orphan horse, hard work paying off, the underdog winning, and all the classic horse story tropes. The time period seemed to be some time in the 70s - no cell phones, no TVs even, a major plot point involving a stereo system - which added to the feeling, to the point where I checked to see when this was originally published. Still, this was a nice story that brought me back to the days when I read the Black Stallion & Island Stallion series. Any horse lover will love this one.

[Petra Be · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good adventure for pre-teens, esp. those who love horses.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw Storm Horse, what initially drew me in was the book cover, it matches the story perfectly and conveys what the story is about. I had never heard of the author before, nor had I read any of his work, so I had no expectations going into this book.

Storm Horse begins with Flip, the protagonist, travelling with his Uncle to his new home. He is to stay there with his Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin after the death of his father. What begins as a lonely start, with lots of hard work thrown in, soon turns out to be so much more when Flip rescues a drowning horse from the sea. When the characters were first introduced I really didn't think much of Flip's Uncle Andries, I thought he was too overpowering, to controlling of Flip and his move, and he did not show any sympathy towards him for having no family left. The island that Flip is travelling to sounds desolate and sad, but as Flip explores he discovers more about the island, and begins to  make a few friends, and enemies.

Mr Mesman, I have never detested a character as much as I detested him. He thinks he owns the island as he has money, and imagines himself as the owner, as someone who can buy up the land for his own needs. His sons are just as bad and cause trouble everywhere they go. The are spoilt brats with not a single conscience between them.

Storm Horse was an interesting read, it has a mixture of older and poorer times, people work hard to get where they are and do not lay down easily. They have a backbone, a way of life, and a clear guide on what is tolerated and what isn't. I liked the slid feel of the island and it inhabitants once I go into the story, they had thier own history written all around.

As a character Flip is not only resilient, but resourceful and strong. He has lost his family, is sent to live with strangers who are his family, even his way of life has changed. Be he is not afraid to get stuck in, to lend a hand and prove he is worthy of thier trust and friendship. The things he does for Storm go above and beyond what most people would do, and even in the most daring, life threatening situations, Flip does not hesitate to do what he believes is right.

Final Verdict
Storm Horse was a surprising read, but one that I really enjoyed.. It was easy to fall into this world the author has created and when the final page turned, I found myself wanting it to continue.

[Nayuleska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. Regular readers know how much I prefer the main character to be female. From the summary I was really only interested in the Ghost Girl (as the mute girl gets called), but from the first paragraph I was hooked on Flip's story too. I got tearful on more than one occasion for all that Flip suffers. People that young shouldn't have to go through that loss. Taking care of Storm changes Flip's life. It gives him something to focus on while working through his grief, and the turmoil of emotions surrounding his missing mother.

Typically it isn't an easy ride - it's not just the bullies. Storm is far from a perfect horse (not his fault), and more than once Flip gets in trouble and nearly loses Storm for good. The ending is beyond happy, it really is. I'm so lucky I could read this in one sitting, there's drama in almost every chapter - the happy ones are a pleasure to read, with the others putting me on the edge of my seat because it felt like there was no way out other than the awful outcome which Flip thought would happen for each of the various scenarios, Storm ends up loving him, pulling him through and out from the hard times, helping him to forge bonds in his new life, and building bridges with Ghost Girl which will prove vital by the end. His grouchy uncle isn't all that bad, his aunt is wonderful to Flip, and his cousin is a sweetie who I loved to spend page time with.

I'll be lending this to a friend, and can't wait to reread it! Psst, I'd really like a sequel too!

I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review on my blog Nayu's Reading Corner http://nayusreadingcorner.blogspot.co...

[Darby Karchut · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tale in the tradition of boy-and-horse stories. Flip had my heart from page one.

[Chris Meehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read aloud for school.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek valt onder de categorie dierenverhalen, omdat de hoofdpersoon (Flip) een bijzondere band opbouwt met een paard. Het gaat dus niet zozeer over een dier dat zich gedraagt als een mens, maar wel over een dier dat een zeer belangrijke rol speelt.

Flip is een elfjarige jongen die in Amsterdam woont. Zijn leven verandert aanzienlijk als hij moet verhuizen naar zijn oom die woont op een fictief waddeneiland genaamd Mossum. Terwijl Flip begint te wennen aan het leven in de vrijere natuur, ervaart hij ook eenzaamheid en pesterijen. Tot hij op een dag een paard uit de zee redt, die hij Storm noemt. Hij ziet in Storm een goede vriend en doet er alles aan om deze vriendschap te behouden en Storm te beschermen.

Het boek is goed geschikt voor bijvoorbeeld de brugklas, maar ook zeker voor kinderen die van dieren en dan met name paarden houden. Op zichzelf is het daarnaast een avonturenverhaal, dus in die zin is het voor een brede doelgroep geschikt.

Flip is een lieve en gevoelige hoofdpersoon die zich in het boek mooi ontwikkelt tot iemand die voor zichzelf opkomt. Mooi om te zien is ook hoe sterk de band met zijn paard wordt en hoe deze band hem helpt in zijn ontwikkeling. De ontwikkeling van een vriendschap is hier vertaald naar mens en dier, maar je zou iedereen gunnen dat die deze band ook krijgt met een medemens. Het lijkt erop dat Flip in dit verhaal dierencontact de voorkeur is gaan geven ten aanzien van mensen, door de gebeurtenissen in zijn leven.
Het boek gaat vooral over opkomen voor jezelf, omgaan met tegenslag en conflict en jezelf leren accepteren.

De setting is een fictieve, maar tegelijkertijd is het wel te vertalen naar een bekendere setting als je ooit op één van de Waddeneilanden bent geweest.

Het verhaal is echt aan te raden aan jonge mensen die zich soms eenzaam voelen of buitengesloten, en die graag in de hoofdpersoon iemand zien die zij zouden willen zijn.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flip's father has died and his mother left several years ago. His only family is his uncle who lives on an island off Holland's northern coast. During a storm, a boat carrying horses capsizes and all are feared drowned. One horse makes it close to shore, and Flip is able to rescue it by freeing it from its harness. After much fuss from the local hotel owner, the mayor agrees that the horse should go to Flip. Flip has not felt so happy since his mother left. But the hotel owner's sons are determined to ruin Flip's happiness. They bully both him and the horse. Like father, like son. Their dad not only wants the horse, but also his uncle's farm.

I enjoyed the story, especially Flip's aunt. Mr. Messman represents the underhanded, poor-example-of-a-human, while his aunt represents the person we all aspire to be like. I'm personally fascinated by island life, and the impact of the ocean, so that was a selling point for me. The abandoned village on the opposite side of the island was interesting. I didn't have a sense of the time period until the Beatles were mentioned. I knew it was after WW1 or WW2 because of a downed war plane, but would have liked more clues. The girl who didn't speak added no value to the story. In fact, I would have rather her role been eliminated and his cousin's role beefed up. Though I like this book, finding an audience won't be easy.

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stormhästen är en medryckande äventyrsroman med mycket allvar och en stor dos vänskap och utspelar sig i 1960-talets Holland. Vi får följa Flip, vars pappa just har dött, och vars mamma är försvunnen sen hon flyttade iväg. Flip tvingas därför flytta från Amsterdam till sin farbror på den avlägsna ön Mossum i Nordsjön. När allt känns som mest hopplöst för en dramatisk storm honom samman med en häst som han sedan ger namnet Storm. I boken får vi följa Flip och hästen Storm i ur och skur. Ska Storm få stanna hos Flip? Kommer Flip att lyckas tämja den temperamentsfulla Storm?

Nick Garlick för oss snabbt in i handlingen och beskriver på ett levande sett miljöerna och livet på ön. Boken är ganska lättläst och tror jag passar sin målgrupp mellanstadiebarn utmärkt - alla som gillar klassiska äventyr eller berättelser med djur skulle jag rekommendera denna. Boken är en bladvändare även för mig som inte kan just något om hästar. Härligt att lära känna Flip och Storm och inse att ett djur kan göra stor skillnad i en människas liv. "Spökflickan" som bor på ön och som Flip möter är en karaktär jag tyckte gav mycket till berättelsen. Överlag är det en spännande historia med många intressanta karaktärer och som från första sidan skapar ett engagemang och en medkänsla för huvudpersonen Flip.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flip has experienced plenty of family drama in his 12 years. His mother abandons him and his father; then his father dies. This necessitates a move from city life to a farm on a remote island to live with his Uncle, his father's estranged brother and his wife and their daughter. Flip finds his Uncle to be stern with definite rules and guidelines. Flip is more comfortable with his Aunt Elly, cousin Reinske and the horse Laila. Not long after arriving on the island Flip manages to rescue a horse drowning in the sea off the island's shore. Though he can't swim Flip perseveres with some assistance from a mute girl he dubs The Ghost Girl. Flip is determined to keep the horse and then sets about learning how to gain its confidence and how to train it. Flip's determination and perseverance are to be admired. There are some bullies on the island who want to cause trouble and their father wants to buy Flip's Uncle's farm and goes about it in a rather underhanded way. All comes right in the end as this newly formed family learns to respect each other's strengths. A solid read and adventure for elementary aged readers, especially boys.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flip is just eleven years old and is sent to live with his uncle after his father dies. His mother left after a breakdown in the relationship between her and Flip's father.

On the island of Mossum, Flip tries to ajust to having his life changed. There are friends and enemies along the way but the impact in this story is through a horse who Flip tries to rescue. The tension and wondering if he will manage to do this is well built.

I am a huge fan of horses and the title sounded dramatic as well as the synopsis, so I requested this book.

Nick Garlick creates good imagery and the story has a quick pace. A great book for horse and adventure lovers of all ages.

Thanks to Nick Garlick and The Chicken House for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well constructed junior novel ( middle school age around 12 to 14) Flip has to move to a remote Dutch island after the death of his ne’er do well father & his mother’s absence. His uncle seems a grouchy fellow but his aunt is warm & welcoming. I guess the time is around 1960’s. Flip ( short for Philip, lover of horses) learns so much about himself in calming & taming a horse rescued from the sea after a ship capsizes.Nasty bullies, a traumatised mute girl, a mean & vindictive hotel owner, more bad weather incidents: it has the whole deal to keep you engrossed. Plus the chapters are quite short. It doesn’t shy away from sad events either. Horse mad kids would really enjoy this novel.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

After the disappearance of his mom and later the death of his father, Flip is sent to live with an uncle he doesn't know on a distant island somewhere in Northern Europe. That's actually the most believable part of the story for me. Although he's never touched a horse and he can't swim, he somehow rushes into the ocean and saves the life of a giant, terrified horse by cutting it loose from its harness and guiding it to shore. The horse then loves and obeys only Flip from that point forward, and all would be well if only the village bullies didn't keep messing with him.

[Britt Meter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
Flick has a rough 12 years so when his dad passed away and his mum ran off, he has no choice bit to live on a farm with his Uncle, Aunty and his Cousin. It starts with Flick can't adapt to his new life with bullies and a mysterious girl following him around, until he rescued a horse which he named Storm. That's when everything changes between Flick and Storm. I really enjoyed the story, the characters were explained and developed and everyone has their own personal struggles on the island.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧4.5⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Malk Williams who does a good job.

Middle grade fiction about a boy called Flip and a Horse called Storm. It’s a sad but ultimately a feel good story.

I found Flip totally adorable, his relationship with Storm is heartwarming and goes hand in hand with his friendship with Sophie. It sells the ideology that you reap what you sow in life.

I read so much dark fiction sometimes I just like something lighter to decompress with. This one fits the bill. Just lovely.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great, a real winner! I really liked the characters and the story. A wonderful sense of place. I appreciated the growing relationship between boy and horse. I loved the developing closeness of the family, the blossoming of the "ghost girl" and Flip's strength, courage and learning. Wonderful book, terrific narrator, I didn't want it to end. This is one I will want to give as gifts and share with friends . I was lucky enough to win a copy on LibraryThing. My tremendous thanks to them.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for Junior readers. I thought it would be all Black Stallion-y but it held its own AND gave a bit of insight into a different area of the world (Fries and the Netherlands) and its horse culture. The protagonist was likeable and the supporting cast of characters were believable while the plot was moved along by a tried-and-true formula, it still felt fresh. I will definitely recommend to my younger and animal/horse-loving readers.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick read. I think my students would learn quite a bit about a part of Western Europe they honestly would not know much about. My students who are and aren't horse lovers would find something to enjoy about the setting/plot, whether it's because of the horse, the action, the dysfunctional family that the protagonist comes from (and they'd be able to relate). Nice story overall.

[Grete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received the audio CD copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

I so enjoyed listening to this book and not just because it has a lot of horse mentions in it! There were problems and solutions that weren't overly simplified due to being geared towards a younger audience. It dealt with bullying a LOT amongst children and adults. The narrator was good; it was very clear and consistent between the different characters.

[Fridey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Storm horse is a wonderful, adventurous story about a boy named Flip and his horse Storm. A part of me wanted to give it 4 stars but I chose 3 because I felt that the boy’s life was too sad; my heart felt heavy at times throughout the story. Couldn’t someone at least have hugged the boy as some point...but I guess that’s where Storm comes in, he was the warm, comforting hug Flip didn’t get from the adults. Both children and adults can enjoy this book.

[Em's Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, the story felt so familiar that I felt a stab of disappointment as I read the first page. A story that I have read and watched many times over- bereaved child moves to relatives that don't really want him and finds a horse, a predictable tale. But the more I read, the more the story started to take on a life of its own and by the time I reached it's end I was hooked by it in its own right.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a sweet little story, but I do wish people would stop perpetuating the myth that horses cannot drink cold water or that a horse could possibly drink too much water. Any vet will tell you this does not cause colic. However, a dehydrated horse IS in peril of colic.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me llevé una gran sorpresa con este libro, me pareció muy entretenido y muy tierno ❤️. Me encariñé mucho con Flip y con Tormenta, cada qué pasaba algo bueno me alegraba mucho y cuando algo malo sucedía sufría junto con ellos.

Me encantó esta historia, es muy bella 💗

[Maree Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a gorgeous book for children, both young and young at heart like me!

There are some good life lessons captured in this wonderful tale.

I read it over the course of an afternoon and evening, unable to tear myself away from it.

[Helen Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel good book, well-written. Great for upper elementary and middle school readers.

[Mary Vanpatten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story of hardship and resilience