Customer Reviews

The Georges and the Jewels

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Although I am long past the young adult age, I loved this book. Jane Smiley is one of my favorite authors and my favorite of her books is "Horse Heaven". I think others who liked "Horse Heaven" will also like this, whatever their age. The main character (and narrator) is young and aside from the horses, the tensions arise from concerns of a teenage girl -- school, her classmates attitudes toward her and her relationship with her parents. But I consider it a serious book, very worthy of adult attention, especially from those who are interested in horses.

Her approach to horses is to consider them in depth and as individuals without sentimentality. I enjoyed the description of the horses and the relationship between them and their human connections. I am always curious about how things are done and loved the details about horse care and training.

I believe that most of Smiley's books are about responsibility and the different ways people do or do not own the consequences of their actions. This book is no exception and it considers these issues through the actions and reflections of unique and believable characters. I recommend it to all ages.

This wonderful novel takes place in the 1960s, when the main character, Abby Lovitt, is in the seventh grade. She lives with her strict but loving parents on their small California horse ranch. The family business consists of buying horses at low prices, getting them healthy and handsome, training them so well that they can claim "a little girl can ride him," and then selling them for a profit. They never keep a horse longer than necessary, as it means money wasted on food. Abby's father came up with a rule that they name all the male horses George and all the female horses Jewel, so as not to get attached to them. Abby isn't thrilled with this, and sometimes secretly names the horses something special.

Abby has been helping to train the horses for a long time, and even more so since her older brother, Danny, got kicked out of the house after a huge fight with their dad. She loves this responsibility, and is quite a talented rider and trainer. Rarely does she encounter a problem that she can't handle --- until she meets Ornery George. Ornery George and Abby can't seem to communicate, and most of the time he ends up bucking her off, despite her excellent riding skills. The only thing the two can agree on is that he will do what he wants and she will let him. She is so upset with him that she dares to stand up to her father and refuses to get on the horse.

But then one day an unusual stranger named Jem Jarrow stops by to look at Ornery George. He begins teaching Abby another way to communicate with horses, a method that Ornery George understands. This new communication even opens up new possibilities between Abby and her father.

THE GEORGES AND THE JEWELS is Pulitzer Prize winner Jane Smiley's first novel for young readers. Here, she combines her vast writing talents with her massive love of horses, resulting in an incredible reading experience. The story leaps out of the starting gate with the first sentence ("Sometimes when you fall off your horse, you just don't want to get back on."), immediately capturing the attentions of any horse-crazed fan. Both experienced horse people and those who are new to the world of horses will find the pages filled with gripping information all woven into a moving story that tugs at the heart. Smiley also does a winning job of writing about relationships, and she explores many different ones, including those between a teen and her parents, a teen and her peers, a girl and her horse, and even horses in a herd.

This is an outstanding story, highly recommended for any horse lover (and even those not so crazy about horses). I can't wait for the sequel, which is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2010; it won't be available fast enough!

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

This book was so perfectly right for me, that I originally felt I couldn't judge it objectively. So, first I gave it to my daughter who is just starting to ride. And, then I gave it to my mother who was never bitten by the horse bug. We all absolutely loved it. It is a wonderful book that while just right for a nine year old, has the ability to appeal to children and adults alike. I would recommend it to people of any age and with varying degrees of interest in horses. It is that good.

It is the story of a 7th grade girl named Abby growing up in 1960's California horse country. She helps her father train horses so that he can claim, "Kid's Horse for Sale." There are several great story lines that come together in this fast read to make us truly feel for Abby. A central theme is Abby's evolving relationship with a particularly difficult horse, that continues to throw her off. Through the course of the book we see various adults interact with the horse with mixed success, and eventually are able to witness a coming around thanks to a horse whisperer. The horse training details are simultaneously specific, graphic and enlightening. Most of all, it is particularly nice to witness it through the frank eyes of a young girl.

At the same time, Abby is growing up in a born-again Christian household where she is faced with the challenges of having her family's beliefs conflict with the things she is learning at school as well as the estrangement of her brother. This element of the book is important to the development of Abby's character, but is not overly described and is consistently presented without judgment. I wondered if Violet would ask questions about this religious component, but she didn't. She took it at face value, and was much more interested in the social dynamic in Abby's school. As Jane Smiley so adeptly puts it, "The best thing that can happen to you in seventh grade, really, is that you float from one classroom to another like a ghost or spirit, undetected by the humans." Ms. Smiley is a master of the human dynamic, and perfectly brings her skills to bear in helping us experience a little bit of that dreaded 7th grade one more time. Fortunately, it is not too painful to re-live, while there is at least one character in there that each of us can relate to. There is nothing remotely inappropriate in this book for children. Most of all it has a fairly just ending, which I really do like in books - especially children's books.

There are many accomplished children's authors out there. [...] We can now add Jane Smiley to the list of fantastic authors that we can be grateful to for writing exceptional literature for our kids. Thank you, Jane. I also want to add a special shout out to the illustrator, Elaine Clayton. She graces the beginning of each chapter with illustrations of various horse accessories, and they are delightful. While I was sad to finish this book, it is nice to be able to go back and look at the illustrations from time to time.

- Jessica Wheeler

The Georges are the geldings. The mares are all named Jewel. The rule is you're not supposed to get attached to them because it's a business and the horses will be sold as soon as they are looking fit and good for riding.

Abby's family buys and sells horses for a living. Now that Abby's brother has left home it's up to her to ride and train the horses so her father can say they are gentle enough for a "little girl to ride". This means she has to find a way to get along with all the horses, even the grumpy ones.

The first bit of this book made me think I was in for a grim book about a demanding, Bible thumping father and a put upon daughter, but instead it was an uplifting story with a wonderful cast of multi dimensional characters both human and horse. Abby finds a way to get along at school, at home and with the horses. I can't wait for the sequel.

Fabulous story of a hard-scrabble stable in California, in the 1960s, where all the horses are named either George or Jewel. Seventh-grader Abby is the narrator, and what a great voice! She's the daughter of strict Christian parents, and a down-to-earth and no-nonsense young horsewoman. Along with exercising the horses, raising an orphaned foal and staying out of the way of "Ornery George," Abby deals with the "Big Four" (the "in group" of girls at school) and various other issues and adventures. THE GEORGES AND THE JEWELS had one of the most even-handed portrayals of religion in any book I have read recently. While showing the constriction of Abby's family's faith, it doesn't belittle it, nor hold it up as a good example. The pencil illustrations at the start of each chapter add tremendously to the reading experience. I will be recommending this book, and sharing it with others!

Attention Grown Ups: don't be fooled by the marketing--this is a great novel from a writer who never steps twice into the same genre; miss it and be sorry.

Abby helps her father with the family business: buying and selling horses. This feels like it used to be a fairly smooth operation, but Abby's sixteen-year-old brother recently left due to differences with their father, putting all the work on Abby, who is facing down Ornery George, the first horse she's genuinely a little afraid of. Abby's dad is determined to train all of their horses to the point where "a little girl could ride them," and Ornery George is light years from this goal.

Meanwhile, a new girl has arrived in Abby's small seventh grade class, creating drama with the Big Four, a group of girls that rule seventh grade with an iron fist. Abby is a girl who can only be described as nondescript. She keeps her head down and minds her own business, keeping silent when she sees things and ignored when she tries to bring anything up. Stella, the new girl, stirs up trouble without even trying, and drags Abby into it both as a buffer and a scapegoat, all for the attentions of a boy that finds wonder in discussions about bologna sandwiches. Abby just wants to get through seventh grade, keep the one friend she's got, and get a good grade on her Catholic mission model without her born again parents finding out and having a fit.

Oh, and she also wants to figure out Ornery George, who is a long way from help. The book does a nice job with Ornery George. There aren't any quick fixes to be applied to his character, and Abby is not the sole person responsible for his training. She's a good rider, but she's inexperienced and frightened. Not to mention, Ornery George has her number. The descriptions of the training they put George through are nicely done, and I actually followed a lot of it, which means I can give this book bonus points for making sense. Like I said, no wacky sudden revelations will be found here. Ornery George is a slow but steady student, and Abby is an easy kid who is falling into the business of buying and selling horses without really realizing it.

The one qualm I have with the book is what felt like a loose end regarding what happens when Abby's parents find out about the mission models the school is having the kids build. There's a string of religion in the book that abruptly comes to a frayed end, with Abby getting worried about her father Bible thumping one of her teachers as she looks on helplessly. I didn't expect the religion aspect to come to some great enlightened ending here, but there was something about it that felt unfinished.

The rest of it, however, finishes quite nicely.

Abby is one busy seventh grader. Between school, church, and her family's ranch, there is little time for much else.

Abby can't remember much about her life before the horses that her family raise, train, and then sell. The mares are all named Jewel, and the geldings are called George. Her dad feels that if they each had individual names, it would seem like they are going to stay permanently.

Still, Abby can't help giving some of them special names.

Jack is an unexpected colt whose mother died shortly after his birth. Abby immediately feels a connection to him and wants to do all she can to ensure his survival. Then there's Ornery George, who just can't seem to be tamed. Abby's father doesn't understand her fears and wants her to show this horse who's the boss. With a stranger's help, can Abby make this horse into a gentle giant?

Each chapter in this novel features illustrations relating to horses. This was an excellent tale set in the 1960's. Anyone interested in horses and ranch life would enjoy it, and it's also appealing to others, as well.

Reviewed by: hoopsielv

The Georges and the Jewels by Jane Smiley is another of my "Love it!" book for horsey readers of all ages. The title refers to the horses on the Lovitt farm - all the geldings are called George and the mares, Jewel. Abby's father insists this so that they don't become attached since all the horses are for sale.

The 7th grader has her share of problems from difficult horses to ride to social interaction with her peers. She finds solace in the "good" horses, especially a new foal, she names Jack despite her father's rule.

With help from a gentle horse trainer, she learns important life lessons about horses and people alike.

I look forward to reading the sequel about Jack growing up!

I thought at first I would be slightly disappointed; here I am and middle aged adult buying a book clearly meant for junior high aged girls that fantasize about horses. But it was very, very refreshing and I learned (still) more about horses. I thought I already knew a bunch! Now I know what I surely didn't know before. If you can put aside the idea that you're not in junior high, and still enjoy books about horses anyway, I highly recommend this book !