Chancey of the Maury River [Hardcover]

Gigi Amateau (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Told through a horse’s eyes, here is the entrancing tale of an Appaloosa who finds a chance to renew his trust, and of the humans he helps to restore.

On the night that Chancey is born, a "fire star" gallops across the sky, a signal that a great horse has entered the world. But it will take many years of slights and hardships before the orphaned albino will believe that the prophecy is truly meant for him. First he must find a home at the Maury River Stables and a girl named Claire who needs him as much as he needs her. Then, when his aching joints and impending blindness bring an end to their training together, he must start a new chapter as a therapeutic horse, healing people with wounds both visible and unseen. In the manner of a latter-day Black Beauty, Chancey’s observant voice narrates this absorbing story, filled with fascinating details of life at the stable and keen insight into equine instinct, human emotion, and the ineffable bond that connects them both.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–8—On the night that Chancey is born, a comet streaks across the sky, a sign that a horse of great beauty and wisdom has been born. However, it seems unlikely that the Appaloosa will fulfill this prophecy. He is albino and his lack of pigmentation is not only considered unattractive, but also leads to serious health problems. He works as a school horse for many years, teaching children how to ride, but when his owner has a financial crisis, Chancey is left in a field and neglected for months, before finding a new life at Mrs. Maiden's Maury River Stables. In his old age, Chancey learns to love and trust again as he bonds with his new rider, Claire, a girl who has also suffered loss. When his deteriorating eyesight makes it impossible for him to jump in competition, he embarks on a new career as a therapy horse. He and Claire meet a young boy who has terminal cancer, and they work together to give Trevor the experience of being a champion. Narrated by Chancey, the novel has many details about equine behavior and horsemanship that lend authenticity, although there are a few awkward moments when these descriptions interrupt the flow of the narrative. However, the story is compelling, and the chapters about Chancey's work as a therapy horse are particularly moving, especially the one relating the culmination of his work with Trevor. A highly enjoyable read.—Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ
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About the Author

Gigi Amateau is the author of the young-adult novel CLAIMING GEORGIA TATE. She lives in Richmond, Virginia.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (May 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763634395
• ISBN-13: 978-0763634391
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,475,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gigi Amateau is the author of the young adult novel, A Certain Strain of Peculiar (Candlewick Press, 2009), and the middle-grade novel, Chancey of the Maury River (Candlewick Press, 2008). Her debut young adult novel, Claiming Georgia Tate (Candlewick Press, 2005), was selected as a Book Sense Children's Pick, a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, and a VOYA Review Editor's Choice. She also contributed to the acclaimed anthology, Our White House: Looking In Looking Out (Candlewick Press, 2008). Gigi is a native of Mississippi. She grew up in Mechanicsville, VA and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Urban Studies and Planning. She lives in the city of Richmond, VA with her husband and daughter

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book, January 14, 2009

By 

Hilary Hyland (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chancey of the Maury River (Hardcover)

Throughout the years, I have read many "horse" books, but rarely has one gripped my attention as "Chancey." It is so much more than the typical horsey/coming of age story. The author captures the true essence and heart of not only the people characters, but the horse as well.
Told is the voice of the horse, Chancey, it is a tricky maneuver for the author, but it comes across beautifully. Truly, the only way for this story to be written. It is not a stretch to say this book ranks up there with other great anthropomorphic stories such as Black Beauty, Babe, & Charlotte's Web.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll cheer. I guarantee you won't soon forget these memorable characters long after you finished the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story, August 6, 2008

By 

A Customer (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chancey of the Maury River (Hardcover)

A "fire star" crosses the night sky when an Appaloosa named Chancey is born. Though his mother, Starry Night, explains to her frightened young colt that the appearance of that very star means he is destined for greatness, Chancey's life seems anything but great. Chancey is born albino, which is considered undesirable by a horse owner for several reasons. The condition of albinism subjects him to certain health problems. His owner, Monique, is very disappointed with Chancey's appearance, and they never really forge a bond. Starry Night, who had been Monique's favorite horse, dies while Chancey is a mere colt, and he greatly misses her love and companionship.

Still, Chancey leads a fairly comfortable life for a number of years as a riding school horse, introducing many young children to the joys of riding. He lives in a stable, has plenty of grain and hay to eat, gets adequate medical care, and enjoys the company of the other horses.

When Monique suffers financial and personal problems, she easily finds homes for all her other horses. However, there seems to be no place for an albino Appaloosa. Chancey is abandoned for months in an open field, left out in the elements to fend for himself. He loses a great deal of weight as he must forage for whatever he can find to sustain him, and is badly cut by the wire fence he goes through to get over to the Maury River and drink its refreshing water.

Eventually he is taken in by kindly Mrs. Maiden, who owns the Maury River Stables. Mrs. Maiden loses no time in placing young Claire in charge of the neglected horse's care and grooming. Claire is reeling from her parents' recent divorce, and restoring Chancey to good condition will keep her occupied. Claire and Chancey develop an immediate bond, each needing what the other has to offer.

Because of Chancey's aches and pains due to aging and his failing eyesight (he is now blind in one eye because of cancer), he can no longer jump in competition. Still, he is very well utilized as a therapeutic horse. Chancey is extremely gentle and patient with his newest student, Trevor, who seems very obstinate and rather prickly. It is quite a while before Trevor even agrees to mount Chancey.

By now Claire is a skilled rider, and Mrs. Maiden appoints her in charge of Trevor's lessons. Claire has big plans for Chancey and Trevor. Chancey will have to call upon his maturity and courage to be able to do the extraordinary things that Claire asks of him. For his part, Trevor must learn to trust both Chancey and Claire, and work extremely hard to obtain his somewhat unrealistic goal.

This touching story is narrated by Chancey himself, which gives the book a most unusual tone. The reader is often surprised to learn just what Chancey thinks and feels, and how he relates to the other horses and people he comes in contact with. CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER readily encourages a serious look at horses to anyone who already has some interest in them.

--- Reviewed by Carole Turner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh to be 12 again, and in love with a horse!, June 11, 2008

By 

Janet Tarasovic (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chancey of the Maury River (Hardcover)

I never had a horse or went through the horse-adoring period so many girls do, but this story made me wish I had. The friendship between an abandoned albino horse and a grieving girl changes them both--they grow stronger, more resiliant, more willing to take risks, more generous with others. I came away changed too, moved and humbled by the long struggle of this great and steadfast horse, who teaches us so much about loyalty, courage, and fortitude--and about how ordinary creatures, not superstars, are the ones who, day by day, save the world by saving each other.