Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Spirit of the West

by Kathleen Duey

Follows Spirit, the leader of a herd of wild mustangs, from his childhood as the son of Esperanza, a palomino mare, through his capture, to his courageous return to freedom.

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 29, 2002

About the author

Kathleen Duey grew up in Colorado. She loved riding her horses, hiking, being in the mountains. Reading was always important to her. Writing became a fascination early in her life. In the fourth grade, Kathleen began writing stories and told everyone who would listen that she was going to be an author. Then she did nothing about it until she was 35 years old. Writing was her passion and her dream-come-true.

from: fantasticfiction.co.uk

Kathleen died of cardiac arrest at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 69. She had struggled with dementia in her latter years which prevented her from completing her Skin Hunger trilogy.

https://web.archive.org/web/202101052...

Reviews

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is one of my favourite childhood movies and I maintain a deep love for it, even if I sometimes find myself avoiding it because it always makes me bawl my eyes out (this one and the Disney film Brother Bear always pack an astonishing emotional punch).

Inevitably this novelization is very intertwined with the film for me - It was Matt Damon's voice as Spirit that I pictured and I could even hear the Bryan Adams songs in the background as I read! While the book isnt quite as excellent as the film, and probably works best if you have the images from the movie in your head as you read, I still found myself caught up in the story, and cried a little several times!

[i.love.Blaze]

I haven't read this book but I've seen the movie.
It's the only movie that has EVER made me cry.
Makes me sad every time, though

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full Review at Booklikes.


Disclaimer: This is an adaptation of a movie. This is for middle level readers – chapters and no pictures. I saw part of the movie and didn’t like it. The book was a gift. My comments about the plot are not reflective of the author who doesn’t even get listed in my edition. She had to work with the plot from the movie. This review is more of a criticism of the plot/movie plot than Duey's writing.

Spirit is the story of a stallion in the Old West and his adventures as he gets captured by white men. First, let me say, in terms of mechanics of writing the book is good. It is more than competent, and there is some humor.


It’s the plot I have issue with. First, I know this is a children’s book, but really, having Spirit become leader of the herd he was born into is highly unlikely and is so gender based I don’t know where to start (Gender based in the sense that Spirit acts like both the stallion and the lead mare, as well as why does it have to be about male horse to begin with?). But that is not my main problem. And let’s be fair, it is a children’s book and not ever horse book is going to be like Henry or Farley. Honestly, look at the Lion King. If we went all technical there, Simba and Nayla are half siblings who end up as a couple. So, I’ll admit I’m being hyper critical with this point.

My main problem is the heavy handed symbolic crap.

[K.J. Haakenson]

This is your sign to read books that your inner child would LOVE

"Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" was my favorite movie of all time growing up and it still makes me cry every time I watch it. So when I finally got my hands on a copy, I could feel 7-year-old me be so happy. This is essentially a word for word, action for action novelization of the movie. Although it was missing the amazing soundtrack, I could still see the movie in my mind's eye. I don't plan to rate this - it brought me more joy than any stars can show but the writing quality is still very juvenile because it is in fact, a children's book. Highly recommend for kids who love horses, or adults who want some nostalgia.

[Sam Wescott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite book series as a kid, and I couldn't resist a quick re-read when I found them at the library. This one is a really tight novelization, so if you liked the movie (which I did and still do), you're gonna enjoy the book. It's pretty straightforward. Lots of direct quotes.

That said, I do remember buying and reading this book as a wee babe before I had actually seen the movie and it was a great read by itself. I was the weird horse girl in elementary school, so this was right in my wheelhouse. I thought that the fact that the horses didn't talk made it "realistic" and cool, haha.

Very enjoyable nostalgic re-read.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my favorite movie as a child and I love the book too.

[Lavay Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little nervous in reading the book after watching the movie. I had thought I might hate the book and love the movie, or vice versa.

But the excact opposite happened: I loved the book just as much as I loved the movie!

Even though it was different from the movie, you can get some more details about Spirit's adventures in the book.

Amazing!

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars. I absolutely loved this movie when I was younger, (I'm definitely going to have to watch it again now that I've read this) but I think I can definitely say the movie was better with this one. I know it's written for a younger audience, but there was so much telling instead of showing... And it was a little strange how some manmade things were addressed as completely unfamiliar to Spirit, but then other things he knew exactly what they were. It was still a good short read, which is exactly what I was wanting, and it got me into the mood to watch the movie soon!

[Mythical Mishmash · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a really mixed bag. On one hand I love the extra little details put into the story, but on the other it seems to glance over everything like a wordier screenplay. The emotional scenes don’t really pack a punch unless you’ve seen and become attached to the movie beforehand.
Usually I say that the book is always better, but in these circumstances the movie is definitely far better.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written youth adaptation of the movie & a solid end to the series.

[DC · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, let me start by saying that I have not *yet* watched the movie.

It felt rather off for me during the first few pages (what with having a nameless character being the star of the show not being something I'm accustomed to), but I did get used to it eventually.

It's pretty funny how I was thinking all the while that I was watching the movie in my head. I suppose it was due to the easy-to-understand words, as well the active way of storytelling.

It had little dialogue, which was great. Written in the point of view of a horse, it seemed just about right.

All in all, it's quite a simple story, with just a touch of flourish here and there. (I suppose that's Hollywood for you.)

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in less than an hour as it's so short & obviously written for kids. It was based on the movie so the text was somewhat simple & to the point with some poetic like elements here & there. I liked it very much & found the idea of a story being told from a horse's perspective quite lovely. Spirit is a stallion who's brave & loyal & a fierce fighter for freedom & Little Foot, the human boy he befriends is very much like him & I found that quite touching. & the cover art was done by someone very close & dear to me so that was nice to see. :)

[Naomi Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 7th grade. Never saw the movie, but I remember LOVING this book as a 12 year old! A friend let me borrow it after she read it. I was never much of a reader at the time, but couldn't out the book down! I recommend this to kids and also to any adult who needs a break from life. I would read it again.

[Kieran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a spot on match for the movie of the same title. When the movie was new, I was captivated by it and would of been thrilled to know that this book series existed. I enjoyed this book a lot and it evokes a great deal of nostalgia.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book years ago, back when the movie came out and I was obsessed with it. This is a very faithful novel adaptation of the movie - it has simple language with just a flair lyric pacing. I recommend it for every child obsessed with horses.

[Lucie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is my all time favourite movie and I enjoyed this book as well!

[Morgan Blackburn]

I loved this book along with the movie, it's such a beautiful story. If you love horses like i do then this book is perfect for you. It's such a touching book and its really deep.

[jamez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book as much as the movie. I fell in love with the movie and had to read the book. It's the same as the movie, but still a good read.

[Bonnee Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book shortly after the movie came out, because I was obsessed with horses. Fell so deeply in love with this book all those years ago!

[Katie Sicking · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for any student that loves horses. It also contains historical fiction about the American West.

[Devon]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[zazy!! (azaria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and movie to pisces

[Ashlynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just love this book so much

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

5- Gush/Absolutely Loved
4- Low Love/High Like
3- Like
2- Meh
1- Dislike/Hate

If it is a .5 star I round up

5 Stars

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has been one of my favorite movies (if not my favorite one) since I first saw it when it was released in theaters in 2002, at the tender age of 5 I knew that this movie would always be special to me and I was correct.

This is a book and also a series that I have always wanted to after learning about its existence but until now I have never had the chance. I highly recommend any horse lover or Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron fan to read it.

The book is essentially the movie with some minor changes, since it's being told from Spirit's point of view through words and not visuals the reader gets a more insightful thought process on how his mind works from colt to stallion. It also helps explain the herds and horse behaviors which is nice for people that have no horse experience.

[Amaya Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like spirit stallion of the cirramon but I prefer Esperanza that was in the same series. This book the horse died and I think it would be more appropriate if she almost died and then helped the boy and spirit fight. This book is kinda confusing because I picked up the book thinking it was related to the Netflix series but it wasn’t. So when I found the changes I got bored but when I got to the problem I was interested again. I love that there aren’t just one enemy but 2. I also like that there aren’t just horses but humans too.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
I absolutely loved this movie when I was younger, (I'm definitely going to have to watch it again now that I've read this) but I think I can definitely say the movie was better with this one. I know it's written for a younger audience, but there was so much telling instead of showing... And it was a little strange how some manmade things were addressed as completely unfamiliar to Spirit, but then other things he knew exactly what they were. It was still a good short read, which is exactly what I was wanting, and it got me into the mood to watch the movie soon!

[Horselover Horsegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is important because, just like in the movie, Spirit is about settler colonialism and the takeover of Indian land as much as it's about horses. But I also love horses and that's why it's my personal favorite. The romance between Spirit and Rain! To die for. And I appreciate how the end had no real "bad guy", just a man who let power go to his head. Why won't this book be reissued? My 2002 one is yellowing at the page edges!

[Jenna D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whimsical (but brutal because it ideals with the brutal issues of genocide and animal labor from America’s history) telling about a horse and his fight for freedom. It skirts over the humor and the horse mannerisms more than the movie, but it still tell the same story. I’m not wild about the writing, but I imagine many fans of the film and of horses have enjoyed this one.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read all these books in grade school and I just now am remembering them. Omg I remember loving them so so much and loving how all 4 books were connected. They where just great

[Murray Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

first book I ever read :)