Snowman: The True Story of a Champion

by Catherine Hapka, Rutherford Montgomery (Draft Writer)

131 pages

Genres: Nonfiction, Horses, Biography, Childrens, Historical, Middle Grade, Animals

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2016

About the author

Catherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nov 20, 315am ~~ Review asap.

Nov 20, 3pm ~~ This was a late night choice to fill in time before the next mail delivery, when I was hoping the new Michelle Obama book would arrive.

I don't know if I ever read the original Rutherford Montgomery book that this particular book was 'adapted from'. But I did recognize the name and eventually learned that RM was the author of a book I loved as a child, The Golden Stallion. It was one I owned but I don't remember reading any of the other titles in the series.

I thought it was funny how the author's name stuck in my head all these years.

Anyway, I cannot compare the two versions of Snowman, but if Catherine Hapka stayed at all close to the original story she did a fine job of 'adapting'.

Snowman was a real horse who competed in jumping competitions. This is the story of how he was rescued at a horse sale that would have sent him to the slaughterhouse. Trainer Harry deLayer saw something in the horse that attracted his attention and gave the then eight year old gelding a new chance at life. Apparently nothing at all was known about Snowman's life before that moment at the horse sale.

From the way Harry was portrayed, Snowman was doubly lucky. Not only did he get to live longer, he was able to live with a horse trainer who knew and understood horses and treated them with respect and patience.

I enjoyed the story very much, and also the pictures!

[Martha Trzepacz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone said that Harry DeLeyer's big plow horse was no match for those fancy thoroughbred show jumpers, but with a wink of his eye and the toss of the head, he proved them wrong. Snowman will melt your heart. Even if you don't crave horse stories, this is a great read.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging story about a horse rescued from the slaughter house that became a National Jumping Champion. Frankly, I love stories about underdogs. And there was nothing about Snowman that indicated his abilities when Harry deLeyer first purchased the horse for eighty dollars. After some training the horse proved to make a good riding horse, even Harry's children fell in love with the horse. But Harry did need to consider the best thing for his horse farm and so he sold the horse. But after the horse became bored with his new home and started jumping any fence in his way, Harry purchased the horse back, wondering what the animal was capable of. And the rest is history. This book makes for a delightful reading experience and would be a great addition to any collection that services young horse lovers.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been checked out of my school library all year. I finally had the chance to finish it today, and I watched the documentary, Harry and Snowman, this week as well. The book was adapted from a previous novel written about Harry and Snowman and from the recent documentary. This book, written for middle grade students, focuses on the children and family interactions more than the film does to create some suspense and interest for the younger reader. I enjoyed reading the book and watching the film since they covered different aspects of the story. I’d recommend both, and even though they were champions, I’d never heard of either them until the book appeared on the PYRCA list.

[Lukas Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about a horse who won championships but in the beginning was about a horse who was not meant to be a racing horse but when harry made him one he wouldn't regret it. This book is non fiction and based of a true story. The author's name is Catherine Hapka This author made many other books and a lot of them are about horses. The main characters are Harry and snowman, They were the best characters in my opinion and I really enjoyed reading snowman's journey. This book is well written and it really explains what snowman life was like this was inspiring because it shows anybody can be a champion. I expected this book to have snowman win. I enjoyed this book its 4 stars and I recommend this book if you like sports.

[Hina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting to read. It was interesting because I don't read non-fiction that much but still found myself attached to this book. Snowman: The True Story of a Champion is about a protagonist named Harry DeLeyer and his horse (Snowman), and their wild journey to the showjumping championships. Harry DeLeyer demonstrates great leadership and reliability in this book. He leads Snowman to the showjumping championships and is relied on by his family, neighbors, and of course his horse. I recommend this short book to anyone interested in becoming a leader or reliable person.

[Taryn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book four stars. This is because the book was very entertaining and had many good details that happen in the book. I really enjoyed this book because it had so many different things that happened that would keep your attention.
Some things I like about this book are the great imagery details that are used very good. This book does a really great job on keeping you entertained with all of the different events that happen while reading. I do not like how when Snowman the horse wins something big that they do not really let the moment sink in and make it more of the book it is just mentioned and they move on really quick so you have to be paying attention so you know he won that certain thing. I thought it was also really good how the author was able to tie everything together and it all still makes sense just because of all of the different events and where they took place it would be difficult. The reader can follow along and really paint a picture in their head to understand the story.

[Eric Jolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’d never heard of this $80 plow horse that won show jumping’s Triple Crown back in the 1950s. This well written animal biography left my daughter wanting to read more of this book every night (to the point she didn’t care about her other homework)!

This was an excellent book report book for 6th grade, where we moved away from a human towards something of a different nature.

The Cinderella story of a horse headed for the slaughterhouse, but saved on a snowy evening by Harry deLeyer because of a twinkle in his eye is a magical one. 4.5 out of 5 stars. We liked it a lot as a family book!

[Becky Loader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across "Snowman" when I was looking for Jo Nesbo's "The Snowman." Definitely not the same story!

I was ready for a charming read about a horse from a humble beginning who takes it all in the equestrian jumping world. I love it when Snowman winks!

[Rowan 🐴 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVE this book. I’ve read it about three times over!!!

[Rebecca Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this YA novel! Engaging and heartwarming, I couldn't wait to read more in this book each day.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute middle school book!
Where is the movie on Harry DeLeyer and his family!?

This was a nice quick read. An underdog story that gave some insight into the horse competition world.

[Kristen C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Snowman, The True Story of a Champion by Catherine Hapka. This nonfiction book told the story of a horse bound for the meat market but was saved at the last minute and went on to be the greatest show jumping horse of all time.
I liked how Hapka added dialogue throughout the book as it made it easy to read and I felt I had a better understanding of what was going on. Hapka also wrote in several short paragraphs which also helped with following the development of the narrative. I enjoyed how the story detailed Snowman's journey from the day he was bought until he became a champion. Hapka's clear and concise writing made you feel as if you were on the farm with Harry DeLeyer training this amazing horse. I know I got caught up in the excitement as Snowman went to his first show and won his first blue ribbon. As you read through this book, you are introduced to so many characters who helped make this horse the best jumping horse in the world. If you're a horse lover like me, or just like to read a true story of someone who believed in an animal when no one else did, this book is a must read.

[Fiona S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was amazing story, and I always left you hanging on cliffhangers. It was amazing how a horse in a slaughter truck ended up with a book about him, many awards and much more. I would recommend this for you because when started reading it I couldn’t put it down😂.

[Ava Matheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Give a summary of the book- without giving away the ending.
A boy named Harry was going to a stables shop to get a new horse but arrived late. By the time he got there, there were only a couple of horses left. He decided on a gray gelding horse for $80, he just thought that there was something special about that horse. Harry went back home with the horse and showed his family the new horse and they decided on the name snowman. Snowman was used as a lesson horse, but Harry ended up selling it to a neighbor. Snowman found out that he could jump over the fence and that is what he did to return back to Harry and his family's house because snowman thought of that place like home. When his family found out what happened they bought snowman back and started training him to become a showjumper. He was finally ready to go to a competition for horse jumping, so he went to one and everyone was doubting that the horse was going to make it or be able to jump. Snowman was just a field horse that worked in fields, so nobody believed in him. His first jump he actually did really well and he got second place, but one of the times he landed wrong and hurt himself and his leg started bleeding. Now he keeps on practicing and keeps on going to competitions.

I enjoyed this book***
I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't my favorite book I have read. It was still a really good book. It is really inspiring because even though Snowman was just a horse that worked on the farm, he trained to be a jumping horse instead and he was really good at it too.

Who would you recommend this book to and why?
I would recommend this book to people that like horses a lot and to people that like to read short and easy books. I would because it's about a horse so people that like horses would enjoy it and it’s only 153 pages so it’s not very long and it’s still a really good book overall

If you liked Snowman,
Eighty-Dollar Champion
Gunner Hurricane Horse
The Perfect Horse
then you might like this book, too!

[Keira Sager · Rating 5 out of 5]

¨Was Harry going crazy or had the gelding just winked one big brown eye at him.¨pg 5 in the book oh wait though it is also in the book. The book and movie Snowman the True Story of a Champion by Catherine Hapka the movie producer did a very good job at turning the book into a movie. They made the characters, scenes, and emotions the exact same in both the movie and book.

In the book, Harry saw the good in everything and determined but he was also that in the movie. For example when Harry was going to the Auction to buy a horse he ha showed up late. Only leaving the “bad” horses to pick from and even in that moment when there might not be any great horse left he still had to look for them. On page 5 it states,”The gray gelding stepped down, stumbling halfway and sliding ungracefully to the ground…” then Harry offered a price for Snowman”80 dollars” Harry was also very determined for example on page 19 it says,”All snowman did that first day was walk. But Harry repeated the exercise day after day, and before long the gray horse began to lift his feet and space his steps to avoid the poles…” this shows that even though Snowman didn’t know anything or very little but he was still determined to teach him because he knew that Snowman could do it.

Also, the scenes are the exact same. The book and the movie both start the same it starts when Harry’s car breaks down so he is late to the auction but then ends up finding snowman. Then Snowman ends up being a school horse but no one buys him at first until the doctor buys him. Then Snowman jumps the fence to get back to Harry. Harry trains Snowman to be a jumper. Throughout the whole movie and book, they have the same scenes.

The emotions of the character also were the same. For example, when Snowman leaves on page 35,” when Harriet heard the news she looked stricken, Chef kicked at a stone on the ground.” And these emotions were spot on in the movie Harriet had a surprised and scared face. Chef kicked a rock. So the movie was perfect. Or when Snowman had jumped over very large fences everyone was so surprised in both the book and movie. Either way no matter the scene the emotions were spot on.

In the movie Snowman a True Story of A Champion, they did a great job of creating the movie from the book. Everything was spot on. From the characters personalities to scenes, and the emotions of everything and everyone. It was all perfect. The novel and movie were the exact same and equally great.

[Isaac T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a horse named snowman. One day Harry deLEYER was the last one to arrive at the sales stables where they sell horses most of the horses had already been sold but they were just putting the last few horses on the trailer, when one of them winked at him. So he asked one of the sales man if he could look at the horse, the man said the horse was about eighty dollars and was an old plow horse. Harry felt something special about the horse so he surprised his family with it. But harry was wondering what snowman might surprise him with.
The cause in this book would be that snowman hit a pole and knocked it down. The effect to that cause is that He hurt his leg really bad but it healed the next day and it causes him to lose four points in the competition. Another cause was that snowman started to jump for fun and he ran home and jumped back into his stable area. The effect is that snowman could learn to be a professional jumper. And have people clap for an old pow horse who was at first laughed at but proved himself worthy.
I really liked this book especially because it was a true story. I thought that it was very detailed and that it was very inspiring. It was full of humor and the horse snowman was very humorous. It had a lot of action and I really liked it and if everyone had a chance to read it they should take it. It wasn't slow moving and it started getting good in the first couple chapters.

[Marney Hawes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for those that love true stories about animals. Snowman was a horse on his way to be destroyed when he was purchased for $80 and saved. He went on to become a famous jumping champion through the love and patience of a whole family.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was sweet and filled with the reminder that oft times something (or someone) is destined for greatness if given the right circumstances and most importantly, the people involved.

[Jaelen Jackson]

I loved this book it was definatly my type of book, I liked the competion and the details put into this book. What really caught my eye that the author is when snowman got hurt and he still ran in the race, it was a hard race but he still did it when he was hurt and won.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story!!

[Kim Bahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a true story - especially when it involves an animal that almost met an unfortunate end

[Mary Ann Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Read

Great story about such a special animal! The deLeyer family was blessed in so many ways, but especially in getting to know and love Snowman!

[Ankur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book for children especially for the ones who love horses.

[Susan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of a real horse no one wanted who was trained to be a champion show jumper. I found myself cheering for this horse every step of the way.

[Shawnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and a good book. Slightly different from the other Snowman book I just read, but this one doesn't focus on anything outside of Harry and Snowman.

[Judith Chelekis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story and message - don't judge a book by its cover! If you haven't read it - DO!

[stephanie timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Story to remind us that you can't always judge a book by its cover. Heartwarming! All life should be seen as valuable and be loved.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, quick read. A good one for young readers.

[Derek · Rating 5 out of 5]

i enjyed the book i really recomend to loan this book to somebody