Calvino

Horse Diaries #14

by Whitney Sanderson, Ruth Sanderson (Illustrations)

For all lovers of horses and history! This latest book in the Horse Diaries series features an Andalusian horse in romantic sixteenth-century Spain.
 
Southern Spain, 1570s
Calvino is a dapple-gray Andalusian stallion. He grew up driving cattle in the mountains, but soon he catches the eye of King Philip II’s horse master. Now Calvino and his young rider, Rico, must learn the complicated moves of doma clásica riding. Calvino doesn’t understand the use of this prancing—until he and Rico are chosen to represent the king in a deadly bullfight that will put all his skills to the test. Here is Calvino’s story . . . in his own words.
 
Praise for Elska (Horse Diaries #1):
“A must for horse lovers, the cozy and exciting adventure will draw a wide audience.” — Booklist

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

160 pages, Paperback

Published January 10, 2017

About the author

Whitney Sanderson grew up riding horses as a member of a 4-H club and competing in local jumping and dressage shows. She has written several books in the Horse Diaries chapter book series. She is also the author of Horse Rescue: Treasure, based on her time volunteering at an equine rescue farm. She lives in Massachusetts.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Gerri Leen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beauty of this series is that since none of the stories are related, you can pick up any one of them and have a delightful standalone read. The downside is that the stories have no previous material to use to maintain emotional resonance and each story has to build its own every time. For me, this installment was not as moving as the others that I've read so far. Add to that the horror of a bullfight, and it becomes even harder to take. Calvino was an interesting horse and the details are beautiful, which is why this is getting a four. These books can be counted on to ground you solidly in the world they are creating. It's just that in this one the horse did not have much of a relationship with anyone and I found myself missing that. Given the style of his life, though, it made sense. It Just made the story less enjoyable. Still I rate this highly for kids (or adults, obviously) who love horses and just because it didn't touch me the same way the others did, doesn't mean it's not a very good read.

[SFrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I enjoy about the these horse diaries are the detail included in the appendix.

Usually I read it first and then read the beginning thru to the end.

The illustrations are amazing, most of which were done by Ruth Sanderson.

[Skylar Newbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I am being honest, this may have been the worst horse diaries book. I usually enjoy these for the history they include in them, but with this one I couldn't even do that. Calvino is considered one of the most prized horses in the worls, yet he breeds with a horse of a different breed? Sure...

[Ed Zirkwitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story told by Calvino, a horse living in southern Spain in the 1570s. Creative glimpses from a horses' point of view of the culture and what it is like to be a horse enduring training.
The story includes adventure, sorrow and suspense thrills.

[AetherDragons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the book and that story but it voice was a little boring and even for this series it didn’t draw you in as much as the others do. But still a fun book of a different era, place, and breed!!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like reading about the bullfight, but the rest of the story was very good.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in this series. I bet my daughter will get to all of these eventually. She actually didn't like this book as much as some of the others, but I enjoyed it.

[Lily Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun Andalusian tale! (Pun intended). I love the pictures in this book as well.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting children's historical fiction novel about a Spanish Andalusian stallion. It includes a brutal bull fight.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

see the first book in the series for a full review.