
Reach for this book when your child is curious about their family tree or when you want to explore how the past shapes the present. It is a perfect choice for children who feel a deep bond with a grandparent and are ready to hear about the bittersweet realities of history through a lens of hope and continuity. This story serves as a gentle bridge between generations, celebrating the quiet strength found in rural life and the enduring legacy of a family hero. Set in the peaceful English countryside years after the events of War Horse, the story follows a young boy visiting his grandfather on their family farm. Through shared chores and evening stories, the boy learns the true history of Joey the war horse and the secret struggles his grandfather faced growing up. It is a short, beautifully illustrated chapter book that emphasizes honesty, the dignity of hard work, and the healing power of sharing one's secrets with those they love.
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Sign in to write a reviewReflections on the hardships of war and the death of the original war horse, Joey.
The book deals with the long-term emotional impact of war and the challenges of struggling with literacy. The approach is direct but very gentle, handled with secular sensitivity. The resolution is deeply hopeful and realistic, focusing on the idea that it is never too late to learn or to change.
An 8 to 10 year old who loves animals and history, but specifically a child who might feel frustrated by their own learning pace. It is also perfect for a child who views their grandfather as a hero and wants to understand the 'olden days.'
No specific scenes require censoring, but parents should be ready to explain the transition from horse-drawn plowing to tractors, as this shift is central to the plot's tension. The book can be read cold. A parent might notice their child feeling embarrassed about a mistake or struggling with reading confidence. Alternatively, a parent might see their child asking deep questions about great-grandparents who served in the military.
Younger readers (age 8) will focus on the excitement of the tractor race and the relationship with the horse. Older readers (11-12) will better appreciate the poignant theme of the grandfather's hidden illiteracy and the courage it takes for an adult to admit they need help.
Unlike many historical novels that focus solely on the 'action' of war, this book focuses on the 'after,' showing how stories are preserved and how family members can be each other's greatest teachers. """
Acting as a sequel to the acclaimed War Horse, this story is framed as a contemporary reflection. A young boy visits his grandfather on their Devon farm. As they work together, the grandfather recounts the legend of Joey, the horse who survived WWI. The narrative shifts between the present day and the 1940s, focusing on the grandfather's own childhood struggle with literacy and a pivotal tractor race that decided the farm's future. It concludes with the grandfather finally learning to read as an adult, supported by his grandson.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.