From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8-This sequel to Gib Rides Home (Delacorte, 1998) begins as the boy leaves the Lovell House Home for Orphaned and Abandoned Boys and returns to the Thornton's ranch. Set in the western plains in 1909, the somewhat meandering plot revolves around the mysterious appearance of the beautiful but badly mistreated gray horse of the title, interspersed with Gib's sometimes rocky relationship with Livy Thornton and the students at school, where he experiences the stigma of being an orphan. Overall, the central question from the first book is still with him: will he ever find a real, permanent home? Actually, the author concludes this story in a way that seems to leave the door open for a third title. Gib is a sympathetic and appealing character, and his story is told in a smooth, relaxed manner. The elements of mystery are intriguing, yet this book lacks the outstanding dramatic tension of the previous title. Horse lovers and fans of the first book will be its primary audience, but anyone expecting a ghost story will be disappointed.
Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
In this companion to
Gib Rides Home (1998), 11-year-old Gib, who has a magical way with horses, returns to the Thornton ranch after a difficult interlude at the Lovell House Home for Orphaned and Abandoned Boys. Since Mr. Thornton's death, family tensions are greatly reduced, but Gib is still unsure whether Mrs. Thornton plans to adopt him or just keep him as a farm hand. He now attends school (where he deals with classroom bullies), continues to be both fascinated and confused by the irrepressible Livy Thornton, and takes on the training of a mysterious and abused thoroughbred that turns up at the ranch during a snowstorm. The story's perceptive end brings some closure to these issues, and Gib realizes that belonging doesn't depend on a piece of paper but rather on the feelings one has for others and the sense of worth that develops in oneself. The character Gib is based on Snyder's father, an orphan who was farmed out several times while growing up in rural Nebraska. The book has obvious appeal for horse lovers, and some kids will come to the book for that aspect of the story. They, and all the other readers, will be pleased to discover Snyder's strong characterizations, compelling story, and rich setting details, all of which add up to a powerful novel. This serves as a testament to children who triumph in spite of the odds.
Kay Weisman
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
