Book Club

READ A BOOK

Book Club

A horse tells the story of his life, in his own words.

by Lauren, Editorial Board

Title: Black Beauty

”“ author: anna Sewell Paperbook, 248 pages Reading Level: Fourth Grade and upB lack Beauty, written by Anna Sewell, is a well-known book about a horse’s life, told from the horse’s point of view. Black Beauty was a book that my parents would read to me when I was young, and I have re-read it several times as I have grown older. The intrigue the story created for me settled in my heart, and I love the story because of its unique voice. Most stories you read are told from a human’s point of view, but Black Beauty’s voice shines through the pages. The tale is a simple, yet powerful one. It begins with Black his days, and through the story he shares his memories with the reader. Because the story is told from his point of view, it gives you a perspective into the mind of a horse, and how he might think. You begin looking at horses in a different way, and you can understand how they must feel when something dramatic happens to them. I love Black Beauty for its originality as well as the powerful words it contains. No matter what, it never fails to touch me, even as I grow older. The horse mostly tells about the owners that bit or kicked any man, because he remembered what his mother, Duchess, told him when he was a colt, “I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play.” Black Beauty is a tale that can teach life lessons for readers of any age, and not just lessons about horses! We can learn many things from the great author, Anna Sewell. She must have spent time with horses to capture their beautiful essence. I recommend I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play.” — Duchess, to Black Beauty Beauty at home with his mother Black Beauty had over his life- this book to anyone who is a horse and a good master. It is here he time, and you can see how Anna lover, an animal lover, or a book begins to learn small life lessons Sewell was trying to teach us to lover. There is something here as a colt, but nothing compared be kinder to horses. Some of Black for everyone. n to what he will learn during his Beauty’s owners were cruel and long and often difficult life. beat him, but some treated him During his lifetime, Black Beau- very well. All of his experiences ty builds new friendships, hab- come back full circle and affect its and trusts. He becomes a his trust toward people. He was a wise old horse by the end of good work horse, and never once