Little Vic

by Doris Gates, Kate Seredy (Illustrator)

An orphaned stable boy's love for a horse motivates him to become a jockey and ride in the big races

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Horses, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Young Adult

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Doris Gates, 1901-1987

A lifelong resident of California, Doris Gates was for many years, she was a librarian for the Fresno County Free Library. However, she is remembered for her many beloved children's books. Of these, the best known and most influential was Blue Willow (1940), selected as a Newbery Honor Book in 1941. Many consider Blue Willow to have been the first realistic, problem novel for children, and it was recognized both for its lasting literary merit and for its expansion of the range of subjects which could be explored in books for children. She died in 1987.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this based on prior positive experience with both author and illustrator (and not from reviews). Since the fact that Pony is 'colored' isn't revealed until 2/3 through, the reviews that mention it derail Gates' strategy. Gates' wanted readers to get to know Pony as a person, undefined by his race, and thereby if any had parents like Hill's, they'd have a chance to learn that they don't need to think like their racist parents. Yes, a little earnest, a little implausible, but that's because it was by Gates (Blue Willow, etc.) and written in that era when children's authors and librarians were motivated to 'improve the minds' of the youth they 'served.'

This is a substantial book for younger readers - not as intimidating (as I found) The Black Stallion, for example. Engaging; I read it in one sitting. The drawings were more free, more sketchy, than Seredy's more famous work (The Good Master, etc.) but still wonderful, especially for horse lovers but for any student who wants to learn how to portray strength and grace. I would absolutely have adored this book when I was a child and definitely want to continue to read more by both author and illustrator, if I can find them.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy and a young horse become friends and bring out the best in each other. Pony (the boy) is courageous, kind, and smart. Through perseverance and patience, Pony accomplishes his goals and gets to live his dream.

[Robin Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this as a child and came across it recently in a list of young adults novels with African-American main characters. I loved it now as I did then. A horse story.

[Jamie Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and covers some tough content for YA audience

[Lillyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not look away such a good book would read it again.

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

An orphaned boy befriends a young racehorse and a lifelong friendship is born. Pony Rivers wants nothing more than to surround himself with horses, so he finds a job on a breeding farm. Soon Little Vic is born, and steals Pony's heart away. Now Pony lives not for all horses, but for this one horse, a horse sure to break his heart. Little Vic faces a long road ahead of him, one that may not even lead to greatness, but Pony's faith in his little racehorse is never shaken. Pony makes many sacrifices for Little Vic, sure that in the end he will be vindicated. If faith can move mountains, then Little Vic has a shot.

In an interesting portrait of humanity, Little Vic tells a story of faith, sacrifice, and dedication. Following one young boy through years worth of uncertainty, the reader has the opportunity to bond with the boy and his colt. There is a morality tale buried in here, but it unfolds so gently that it doesn't disrupt the flow of the story.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Vic is a failure at the race course. He doesn't have any fire, and he couldn't care less about winning. At least, that's what everyone thinks. But his loyal groom knows that Little Vic is a great horse, and so smart that he will only run all out when there is a good reason for it.
This is a really good book for any young horse lover, or an older horse lover looking for a plot that isn't too complicated. I didn't realize until about half way through that the main character, Pony, is black. It really was a surprise to me, because usually in older books black people are either politely ignored or discreetly put on a different social scale. This book makes no fuss at all over Pony's color, which makes it more or less unique.

[Jaime Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

1954 William Allen White Award Winner

This book was difficult to find as it was not available at any of the local libraries I checked. While it may have fallen out of demand and been weeded, I enjoyed the story and was torn between a four and a five. If I loved horses as much as Pony that would have probably moved my score up. I appreciated the interwoven themes about race as this piece of the story was unveiled about halfway through and was a subtle piece of the story. I also think that Pony’s determination, dedication, and belief in his horse made connecting with him easy and moved the story along. As a child I was obsessed with Blue Willow by Doris Gates and was excited to read something else by her.

[Brooke Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I really liked all of the detail of the adventures and the detail of the people and places. I love the way the relationship between Pony and Vic was written, it is very realistic and I felt like I was in the story with them.

[Josette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good horse book for any horse lovers you may have. My girls begged me to "read more" until we finished, then we all sat back and went, "Ahhhhhhh!"

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite horse books from childhood, but definitely good. I always liked Walter Farley's stuff a bit better.

[Cws]

JWAW-Gat

[Hildegart · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing that struck me in this book is that the boy that ends up riding Little Vic is black. The time period depicted in the book is one where blacks were not treated as equals to whites.

[Sheila Mangin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thinkit is a good book for anyone but people that love horses will love this book

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

1954 William Allen White winner. Surprisingly good horse story with a twist racial discrimination lesson.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical horse story, as far as I am concerned. A very quick read. Nice, but unsubstantial. There is some moralizing that comes out of nowhere and seems a bit out of place.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite childhood books!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horsey book that I read when I was a little kid.

[Susan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story. The devotion a young man has for a colt he gets to name keeps him following the horse at great expense to himself. Jonathan "Pony" Rivers is the orphaned son of a jockey that got killed in a race. He packs himself off to Blue Grass country to work on a thoroughbred breeding farm. At the farm a colt is born in his care that is a grandson of Man-O-War, by Victory. Pony begins to call the colt Little Vic. With a little luck, Pony gets to name the colt and Little Vic keeps his moniker. As the colt grows and trains, Pony follows the colt to each stable he is sent to.

Eventually the colt is sold in a claiming race and sent to Arizona. This is the longest separation of Pony and Vic. Pony works all summer to become a jockey and earn enough pay to get himself out to Arizona to the stable that Little Vic is sent to.

Overcoming some great hardships the unlikely team of slow horse and unseasoned jockey become a pair to beat the odds.

A beautifully told story that gives a small glimpse at how difficult life for a black jockey must have been. As I was reading the story I kept thinking what a prolific movie this could be. I see that is was made into a 6 part mini series. I'll have to see if it's available to watch.