There are very few stories or even books written about WW I, but my pick this week takes place during that time period. War Horse, by Michael Morpurgois, is a juvenile fiction told from the viewpoint of the main character, Joey the horse. This beautiful red horse, which stands 16 hands high, is purchased as a colt at an auction and taken home to a farm. He immediately was adopted and taken care of by Albert, the farmer's son. Albert's father, however, was a heavy drinker, and was very cruel to Joey. As Joey grew, he was placed with the farm horse named Zoey, in order to till the fields.
One day Albert's father haltered Joey, led him into the village and sold him to the cavalry headed for the war in France. Joey befriends an older horse called Topthorn, and thus begins the horses' unimaginable experiences at the war front. Do Joey and Topthorn make it through the battles and return home? And will Joey ever see Albert again?
You will be taken on a great adventure when you read War Horse, a book which is not only the runner up for the prestigious Whitbread Award, but one that will capture readers from start to finish. Read the book, and then be sure to see the movie, which opens on Christmas Day. I, for one, can't wait!