The Blue Horse [Paperback]

Marita Conlon-McKenna (Author), Donald Teskey (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

A remarkable story of growing up in extraordinary circumstances that will touch the hearts of all readers. Katie's whole world is turned upside down when her family's home is destroyed by fire. Everything they had is gone, and instead of pulling together it seems as though her family is falling apart. They move to a new house, to a school where nobody wants to know her, and Katie wonders just how many changes she can take. In her fight for acceptance and to keep the family together, she learns a lot about herself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A children's writer of world stature' -- Dr Pat Donlon

About the Author

Born in Dublin in 1956 and brought up in Goatstown, Marita went to school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Mount Anville, later working in the family business, the bank, and a travel agency. In 1977 she married James McKenna and they have four children, Amanda, Laura, Fiona and James. They live in the Stillorgan area of Dublin. Marita was always fascinated by the Famine period in Irish history and read everything available on the subject. When she heard a radio report of an unmarked children's grave from the Famine period being found under a hawthorn tree, she decided to write her first book, Marita has won several awards, including the International Reading Association Award, the Osterreichischer Kinder und Jugendbuchpreis, the Reading Association of Ireland Award and the Bisto Book of the Year Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: O'Brien Press (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0862783054
• ISBN-13: 978-0862783051
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,500,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Irish Traveller family faces disaster and changes., July 8, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Blue Horse (Paperback)

The Blue Horse is the only book I have ever read that has Irish Travellers as the main characters. Katie is a teenager who loves her life as a traveller, but when their caravan burns everything changes. Katie and her family have to learn to live a new and very different life. They are harassed and ridiculed because they live a life different from the mainstream. Everyone can learn something about tolerance and acceptance from this book

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very realistic and easy to read, August 27, 2003

By 

Zheljko Stanimirovic "Zheljko Stanimirovic" (Belgrade, Serbia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blue Horse (Paperback)

This girl has to start a new life, together with her family. There are used to constant traveling, but after their caravan burns down they have to live in a house. Children have to go to school as well. This is where the problem starts - many of the other people do not like gypsies and harass them around.
The book approaches several aspects of discrimination that minorities have to face on daily basis. The author speaks of them matter-of-factly and still there is always hope on the horizon. Therefore it is suitable for younger readers.