Jim-Dandy

by Hadley Irwin

Caleb's life with his harsh stepfather on a Kansas homestead just after the Civil War is painfully bleak, until the birth of Dandy, a young horse, but Caleb's relationship with his horse is threatened when economic hardship forces his stepfather to sell Dandy.

135 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Great story suitable not only for young readers but even old readers like me. At the end, it said it took liberties with history which wasn't expected as I took this as sheer fiction and it mostly is. Ironically, the final battle of mentioned General is where history has taken lots of liberties!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! Horse isn't dead by the end!

[Angey Mahmoud · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Beautifully Written Story about a Young Boy and His Horse who face and Overcome many Challenges. The author brings a little too much 1990s sensitivity to the 1870s, creating a world which just didn't exist. In the author's view, the indians were good, pure, clean, and represented just about every good quality; while the settlers and cavalry were less than bright exploiters of the wilderness and ravagers of the environment and the local populace. Teachers can let the students read this book individually then act it, write summary about it, or review it. This book is suitable for grades 5-8

[Miss Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

gr 5-8 133pgs


13 year old Caleb doesn't get along with his Quaker stepfather. When his stepfather sells the foal that Caleb has been caring for, Caleb leaves home to follow the horse, purchased for Custer's army, and ends up involved in the Cheyenne massacre.

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caleb raises a colt, Dandy, who becomes a favorite horse of Custer.
A short read for those who enjoy the West, horses, history and war.

135 pages