The Hand-Me-Down Horse [Hardcover]

Marion Hess Pomeranc (Author), Kathy Tucker (Editor), Joanna Yardley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

It is just after World War II and David and his family, having fled from Nazi terror, are waiting to go to America. One day, an old rocking horse appears at the door. A note says it is from a child who has already left for the new land. Astride the hand-me-down horse, David and his friend Martha dream of America. When the time comes for David to leave, he gives the horse to just the right person. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her first children's book, Pomeranc carefully tailors to her young audience a post-Holocaust tale that ends happily for a Jewish boy and his family. Launching the story after the war has ended, the author avoids the horrifying details of the Holocaust, instead noting more generally that after the Solomons left their home in Germany they had "fled from village to village, living in forests and on farms, always seeking safety, food and shelter but finding danger and destruction instead." Now they are living in a one-room apartment in an unnamed location, waiting for their chance to board a "Liberty ship" that will take them to New York. A wooden rocking horse left behind by an American-bound child helps David pass the time and gives him hope that his turn to begin a new life will eventually arrive. Yardley's (The Bracelet) spare, pastel-hued watercolor and pen-and-ink art favors sunny depictions of David and his surroundings, reinforcing the reassuring, upbeat messages of the narrative. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?A powerful historical piece as well as a poignant commentary on the plight of immigrants. After years of hiding because they are Jewish, David and his family plan to leave Germany for America after World War II. While they await space on a ship, David learns English via slips of paper that cover the wall by his bed, but the long wait makes even this activity seem hopeless. Then a rocking horse appears with a note stating, "When I leave on my liberty ship, I promise to give this rocking horse to someone who is still waiting to go to America." David pretends to ride to New York many times before the real journey begins. Pomeranc keeps the focus on a child's issues: anticipation, family separations, cramped living quarters, confusion, and the little bits of human kindness that keep hope alive. Muted, realistic watercolor illustrations strongly support the text by capturing both the family warmth and the historic time period, and avoid ethnic stereotyping and nostalgic kitsch. Margaret Wild's Let the Celebrations Begin (Watts, 1991) and Christophe Gallaz's Rose Blanche (Creative Ed., 1986) are very intense picture books about the Holocaust. The Hand-Me-Down Horse is a gentle book, and a valuable addition to collections serving young children.?Jody McCoy, Lakehill Preparatory School, Dallas, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807531413
• ISBN-13: 978-0807531419
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,802,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a moving story about the Holocaust and its effect on a boy., March 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hand-Me-Down Horse (Hardcover)

It is just after WW II, and David and his family, having fled from Nazi terror, are waiting to go to America. David is eager to go, and his wall is covered with the English words he is learning. But waiting is hard, especially when his beloved Aunt Rachel leaves before the rest of the family. Then one day, an old rocking horse appears at the door. A note says it is from a child who has already left for America. Astride the Hand-Me-Down Horse, David and his friend, Martha, dream of America. When the time comes for David to leave, he gives the horse to just the right person.