Customer Reviews

Annie: The Mysterious Morgan Horse (Morgan Horse series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had flashbacks to "Black Beauty" while reading this book, due to the all-too real uncertainties that can happen when horses change hands. There are several other parallels -- a scary barn fire, abusive handling, and a black gelding and chestnut mare reunited! Happily, "Annie" has a much more satisfying ending. Writer Ellen Feld tells the story with a familiarity borne of those who have shown horses, lived in the beautiful Vermont area, and loved Morgans. The story comes alive with Jeanne Mellin's delightful pencil drawings. Ellen, thanks for all you do to share and promote the Morgan horse!

Annie: The Mysterious Morgan Horse is just one book in a delightful series by Ellen F. Feld. Annie is a Morgan horse who has had an eventful, but rough life. Annie was the victim of harsh treatment from an abusive trainer. Because of this abuse, Annie failed to realize her potential as a show horse. Due to some extraordinary events Annie suddenly finds herself free of her torturous environment.

Annie soon finds herself in much more caring hands at the Gallant Morgan Horse Farm. Due to events detailed in the story, the owner of the farm does not know the background of Annie. Much of the story's focus is on search for information about Annie's origins by farm owner Chauncy Campbell. Because of this search, young Heather Richardson finds herself growing attached to the mysterious horse. So strong is her attachment, Heather ends up withholding information about Annie's past which she accidentally discovered. What results from Heather's decision is a good illustration of what can happen when a little, well intended lie spirals out of control.

Annie: The Mysterious Morgan Horse will appeal to younger readers, girls in particular. The characters are very well though out, and the main female character (Heather Richardson) has a strong voice. For those who are familiar with equine terminology, Annie will be an easy read. For those who do not know much about horses, the story will give a good insight into the world of horse shows, equine care, and the legend of Justin Morgan.

Children's Choice Award-winning author, Ellen F. Feld, has done it again. The latest book in Feld's Morgan horse series is Annie: The Mysterious Morgan Horse. I found myself lost in a world of mistrust, sadness, and in the end, friendship and love. Feld did a wonderful job teaching the reader about making right choices, learning to trust in others, and when to speak up against wrong doing.

I felt this book was not only for young girls, which is the readership target, but also for young boys. The story is about a Morgan horse named Polly who is mistreated. The Morgan horse belongs to an elderly lady, who likes to show horses in horse shows, but unfortunately has chosen a mean horse trainer, Mr. Spencer. Kevin, one of the trainers working for Mr. Spencer, forgets to feed and check on the horses before going out late one night. When Kevin returns to the ranch, Polly's barn is on fire. Polly escapes but Kevin tells Mr. Spencer that she didn't make it out.

Polly runs for her life through meadows and forests. She doesn't want to return to Mr. Spencer's care. After a long night of running, Polly finds another ranch with different horses. She hopes that the horse trainer there will take her in. He does but only for a short time. The man is unable to find Polly's owner or trainer and decides sells her. This becomes Polly's life for many months. Finally, Polly finds a home on Gallant Morgans. Chauncy, the owner of the horse stalls, isn't sure he'll keep Polly. Also, no one knows what Polly's name is and she's renamed Annie.

Two young girls have horses at Gallant Morgan stables and when they see Chauncy's new horse, Annie, Heather can't help but fall in love with the beautiful Morgan horse. It's Heather who finds out Annie's true identity and she does everything she can think of to save the Morgan horse from returning to Mr. Spencer's care.

Feld's books have won several awards in addition to the `Children's Choice' awards.

Reviewed by: Stories for Children Magazine editor, VS Grenier

Author Ellen Feld covers the proper care and treatment of our special friends in the form of a horse who escaped a barn fire. This capturing story of Annie: The Mysterious Morgan Horse involves a young girl who is willing to do almost anything to save this horse. When she discovers who the former trainer was and who the horse is, she's not sure she wants to admit reality. This story is a wonderful read I would suggest to young horse lovers!

Ellen Feld's horse stories have made reading an enjoyable activitiy for kids. It is nice in today's techno game world, to have an 11 year old ask for a book instead of a video game.

Parents look forward to more horse stories to this series.

This story is as wonderful as can be. Not only is it from the view of the main character Heather, but part of it is also from the view of the Morgan horse Annie. Ellen Feld did a 5-star job at creating characters that you absolutely love and characters that you love to hate! I particularly liked this book because as the reader, you know the answers to all the questions Heather has about Annie but you still feel all her emotions as she finds out all the answers herself throughout the story. Ellen never fails to impress me with these books and I can't wait to read the next one!

Annie is a very exciting, but ungory, book. It was a great enjoyment for me to read it. I couldn't put the book down. It was kind of sad when the book was over. I totally recommend this book for all ages 9 and up. I am 9 and I thought it was perfect. I am having a really hard time finding non-gory books and this helped a lot.

Another great story about Heather and her Morgan horses. This time it is solving a mystery of a new horse. When she hides the knowledge of what she finds out, she learns about lying to a best friend and the results because of it.

This book is great for kids. nice story and super reading for kids into horse stories.

Reviewed by Diane Snyder

Annie began her life as a registered Morgan horse named Hidden Pond Polly. Her owner had placed her with an abusive and insensitive trainer whose methods changed Polly into a nervous and sometimes difficult horse.

When the old barn caught fire, Polly bolted and ran for her life. For the next several years Polly went from owner to owner, a changing names as she went. Where she had come from originally was now a mystery. Known as Annie by her last several owners, she was given to Chauncy Campbell, the owner of Gallant Morgan Horse Farm. In order to breed her and sell her offspring, Chauncy would need to find Annie's registration papers or he could not to afford to keep her.

Annie's future is made more uncertain when Heather Richardson, a sixteen year old who has come to love Annie, finds out Annie's real name and origin. Heather finds herself torn between protecting Annie from being returned to the unkind trainer and being truthful with her friends.

This is a great story for young readers ages nine and up. Ellen Feld's knowledge of horses-their care, breeding and showing-is very evident and lends credibility to the plot. The engaging drawings by Jeanne Mellin add clarity and interest.

Annie, the Mysterious Morgan Horse is the sixth in the popular series about horses. Two previous books have won awards and Annie has already received a bronze medal in the "Moonbeam Children's Book Awards."

Armchair Interviews says: Great book for children and middle readers who love horses, and those who just love stories about any animal.