Maestoso Petra

Horse Diaries #4

by Jane Kendall, Ruth Sanderson (Illustrator)

Vienna, Austria, 1938

Maestoso Petra is a world-famous Lipizzaner stallion. He has spent years in the Spanish Riding School, training to perform the complex airs above the ground that only Lipizzaner can accomplish. But when World War II breaks out in Europe, he learns to think less about performing and more about survival. Here is Maestoso Petra’s story . . . in his own words.

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

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the series. And I love how it is in a horse's point of view.

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly boring but it's a good book

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maestoso Petra is a Lipizzaner living during WWII times, who experiences the evacuation and eventual return of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The story is fiction, but the historical events are real, and we experience it all through the eyes of the horse. That is the beauty and magic of this series. In Maestoso Petra, we first meet the young foal in the breeding farm and learn of his potential through the words of his father, one of the studs at the farm. We follow him to the riding school, where a young girl is waiting to love and cherish him even as he begins the serious work of learning dressage and the "airs above the ground." Soon, Hitler's invasion threatens the lives and livelihood of all involved at the riding school, and then the horses are on the run, staying ahead of the invading troops and scary bombs that come with war.

The book is geared towards middle grade, and these events are written in a way to convey their seriousness without becoming too graphic. It's perfect for the age group, and they will enjoy Maestoso Petra's story in a story as well. The relationships between humans and horse are also well developed. At the end of the book is a great overview of the history of the breed.

[Emory Ivie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful series that I well-enjoyed during my younger years, and when I was about seven years old it was my ultimate favorite. We all loved the story of Black Beauty, and this series has the same idea - a horse telling its own story during the historical time it lives. There are so many books to read in this series, and though they don't need to be read in order, as each novel presents new characters with new conflicts, but they take place in the order of the historical time. It's really cool for a young kid to be able to read the thoughts of a horse through a fictional book and learn more about the breed it highlights and the history centered around the breed's origin.

These books are absolutely wonderful and very informative. After the entertaining story, there is a little section in the back that teaches about the breed and its uses during a specific time period. They are clean, entertaining, and such a great read for any 7 to 10-year-old child. If you love horses and history, be sure to check out Horse Diaries!

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. My daughter and I learned quite a bit from the facts at the end of the story. I thought that the story was rather slow, despite the events that should have been fast-paced. Maybe it was our lack of knowledge about these horses beforehand, or maybe it was simply the method in which the story was told. This would be a great book for young horse lovers.

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another nice book in this series, as a horse owner, breeder, trainer, the story is well done from the equestrian standpoint, and the illustrations are absolutely charming! A good quick read even for horse loving adults.

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The smell and texture of this book...learning about the world of dressage; this is a core memory book for sure. This whole series was educational about world history, US History, and so many horse breeds!!

[Mousie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and touching story

It's such a nice idea to have the horses tell their own stories, but it's not without bittersweet moments of sadness when the poor animals are confronted with people's power over them.

[Keeley McJunkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel kinda stupid reading a slightly older chapter books series essentially but a liked the dog one and I’m doing a “book club” with my sister. This book was interesting. Lippizanners are some of the most beautiful horses out there and are very skilled. On to the next one.

[DEBORRAH J SCOTT · Rating 5 out of 5]

STORY OF A BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE

It was sad, and happy. I love this book because it had alot of exciting parts in it. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves horses.

[Gerri Leen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great offering in this series.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Lucy Logsdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

🦄🐴🏇🏻🐎❤️

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of neat information on the Lipizzaner horse, but not very exciting. There wasn't much action to keep our attention. The drawings are lovely though.

[Noelani · Rating 4 out of 5]

11 year old gives 4 1/2 stars.

[Lily Scarlet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informational read. Lipizzaners are fascinating!

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

- This was alright, but it wasn't as cute as the other books in the series.

- The heartwarming relationship with the horse and the humans wasn't there.

- The story was a bit dry.

- I enjoyed learning more about these show horses though.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maestoso Petra is a young Lipizzaner stallion born in the countryside of Austria in 1932. He first few years there are carefree as he races through the country meadows with the other horses. At age four, he is selected for the great honor of being trained at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. He enjoys the training and especially enjoys the visits from his trainer's young daughter, Liesl. Maestoso Petra becomes Liesl's favorite horse at the school, and he always looks forward to her visits and the treats she brings for him.

However, life changes for both the horses and the humans when Adolf Hitler rises to power, Austria is taken over by the Nazis, and World War II begins. Vienna is bombed and the horses and the humans that take care of them must flee to safety in the countryside.

Told from the point of view of Maestoso Petra, this book is sure to appeal to young readers who love horse stories, particularly those who also enjoy historical fiction. The story was very sweet and the illustrations by Ruth Sanderson were really adorable. If you know a young reader who loves horses and history, this would be a good book to recommend or to give as a gift.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie just didn't like this one as well as she had the others in the series. She gave it 3*. There were a LOT of unfamiliar and foreign words which made it difficult for her to read on her own. There was a lot going on in the book. It tried to tell several stories at once: that of the Lipizzaner stallions in general (their tradition and history), that of the WWII era in Austria, and that of a family of a horse trainer and rider who worked with the stallions. To try to cover all of those aspects of the books adequately was overly ambitious in a book so short and at this reading level.

Abbie loved it and gave it 5*. I’ve reflected their average in my rating.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maestroso Petra was Lipizzaner stallion born in 1938
Vienna, Austria.Where he was inducted into the famous Spanish Riding School. Where he was taught to do compelex dances that only the Lipizzzaner could do.This all changed when World War two came to Europe.After Maestroso Petra's barn was bombed and they all has to evacuate they had to move into the middle of the woods. Where new barns where build . As these events start changing Petra.His groom's little sister takes Meastroso Petra for a ride when two soldiers try to steal him .Will they get away?Will Maestroso Petra preform ever again?

[Megana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very thought out and flowed nicely. I think the author did a fantastic job with it.

Measotoso Pedra was born in Austria in 1932. Taking after his father's legacy, he is chosen to go to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. According to his father, it is the highest honor. After training for years he has become famous for doing flying leaps and dancing; things only lippaziner stallions are capable of doing. But, when WWII comes to Europe, Pedra and his fellow horses and people, must think more of survival than of dancing.

I would reccomend this book to anyone who loves horses.

[Kim Hathorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It's a children's book, but not written expressly for them as Maestoso Petra is narrating as an adult horse. The story is really interesting, and there are sections about the Lippizzaner horse and the historical events occuring during Maestoso Petra's life. There are illustrations throughout the book too giving it a nice flavor.

[C. Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps the best of the series so far (4th in sequence). Like the others, tells the story from the point of view of the horse, but in this case also from the point of view of old age, looking back on events that included the evacuation of the Lipizzaners from Vienna during World War II and their subsequent struggle to survive. Agreeably blends fact with creative license in the plot.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love the books in this series. The stories are fictional, but based on fact. We use them as a jumping off point for our homeschool lessons. Easier to get my horse lover to learn new things when I can tie the lessons into something horse related!

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when the Spanish riding school was rebuilt after the war.the worst part was when the war started.my favorite character was Maestoso Petra because he was the main character in the story.the worst character was the people who were going to steal Maestoso Petra.Auryn 9 years

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent horse fiction for the younger audience. I LOVE the Spanish Riding School. I wish I was a Bereiter. Sadly, I must live my dreams vicariously, and this was such a fun ride!
Historical fiction.

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another piece of history I didn't know. More gorgeous illustrations.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story. I always wanted to know about the Lippizanner breed of horse. They are beautiful horses with the soul and spirit of a dancer. I admire anyone who loves to dance.

[Maykala · Rating 5 out of 5]

asome

[Tfalcone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I grew up as a pony club girl, so I could not resist. I have adored the Lipizzan stallions my whole life and aspired to be one of their riders, alas they did not accept girls.