A shipwrecked boy and a wild black stallion survive on a desert island, then set out to race the fastest horses in America
A boy, a wild horse and a shipwreck
Alec Ramsay is sailing home to New York from India when the ship stops at an Arabian port and takes on a magnificent, untamed black stallion, which fights everyone who comes near. A few nights later, in a storm, the ship goes down. Alec is pulled through the waves by the stallion and washes up on a small, deserted island, with the wild horse as his only companion.
Who will enjoy it
Readers aged about eight to twelve, especially horse lovers and anyone who enjoys survival stories and exciting races.
What you will get
A thrilling classic of a boy and a wild horse who survive a shipwreck together and then take on the greatest racehorses in America.
The Black Stallion Facts: Pages, Genre and Setting
Genre
Children’s Books · Horses · Shipwreck · Racing
Length
187 pages · ≈ 6 h
More about this book
The island chapters are the heart of the book. Alec has to find food and water, and slowly, with patience and a lot of seaweed, he earns the trust of a horse that wants nothing to do with people. The moment he first rides the Black, galloping along the beach, has stayed with generations of readers. After their rescue, the horse comes home with Alec to a quiet suburban street, which causes predictable chaos.
With the help of Henry Dailey, a retired jockey who sees the stallion's potential, Alec trains the Black in secret, leading to a dramatic match race against the two champion racehorses of the day. The writing is simple and direct, aimed at young readers, and some details are dated, but the excitement of the races and the bond between boy and horse remain powerful. It inspired a much-loved film.
Fast, exciting and full of feeling for animals, it opens a long series beginning with The Black Stallion Returns. A great choice for reluctant readers who love horses. The final race is a scene many readers remember for the rest of their lives. About 187 pages in the Random House paperback.
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