Mrs. Mack [Hardcover]

Patricia Polacco (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

The bestselling author of "Rechenka's Eggs" and "The Keeping Quilt" shares a story of her childhood hero, in this tribute to a woman who knew that working with and riding horses could test young people . . . and change them in remarkable ways. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Girls who love horses will strongly identify with Polacco's (Thank You, Mr. Falker) autobiographical story of a climactic Michigan summer. Ten-year-old Pat is thrilled when her father decides she's old enough to learn to ride. Pat assumes she is getting a horse of her own, but instead her father takes her to "Dogpatch," the poor area of his town. There they find a rundown stable owned by Mrs. Mack, a Southerner in snakeskin boots who, Pat's father says, "has forgotten more about horses than most people will ever know in a lifetime." Mrs. Mack takes Pat under her wing, and through her daily visits Pat learns how to forge relationships, not only with a difficult horse, but with two tough stable hands and Hap, Mrs. Mack's aloof neighbor. Finally, Pat realizes her dream of riding Penny, the beautiful mare that later becomes her own. Pat's inviting first-person narration allows readers to come along for the ride, as she slowly conquers her fears. While the length and density of the text tends to give equal weight to the events, both large and small, Polacco's drawings convey the emotions of each scene, adding emphasis to pivotal points. A moving afterword recounts the relationship between Pat and Penny after the summer's end. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4-Another striking reminiscence from Polacco's childhood. This book relates the events of the author's 10th summer when she was taught horseback riding by the rough-and-ready Mrs. Mack. The narrative describes the bonds that formed between Patricia, a mare named Penny, and the residents of Dogpatch, a neighborhood in Lansing, MI. The realistic illustrations are in true Polacco form-pencil outlines selectively filled with watercolors. The artist has even treated her fans to two double-page spreads at critical junctures in the text. In appearance this is a picture book, but there are many full pages of text. Highest interest would lie with middle elementary horse lovers, but the format may discourage them from borrowing it. It would, however, lend itself nicely as a read-aloud for this age level. A touching story filled with loving detail.
Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (October 26, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399231676
• ISBN-13: 978-0399231674
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,974,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born Patricia Ann Barber in Lansing, Michigan, to parents of Russian and Ukrainian descent on one side and Irish on the other, Patricia Polacco grew up in both California and Michigan. Her school year was spent in Oakland, California, and summers in her beloved Michigan. She describes her family members as marvelous storytellers. "My fondest memories are of sitting around a stove or open fire, eating apples and popping corn while listening to the old ones tell glorious stories about their homeland and the past. We are tenacious traditionalists and sentimentalists.... With each retelling our stories gain a little more Umph!"Studying in the United States and Australia, Patricia Polacco has earned an M.F.A. and a Ph. D. in art history, specializing in Russian and Greek painting, and iconographic history. She is a museum consultant on the restoration of icons. As a participant in many citizen exchange programs for writers and illustrators, Patricia Polacco has traveled extensively in Russia as well as other former Soviet republics. She continues to support programs that encourage Russo-American friendships and understanding. She is also deeply involved in inner-city projects here in the U.S. that promote the peaceful resolution of conflict and encourage art and literacy programs.The mother of a grown son and a daughter, Patricia Polacco currently resides in Michigan, where she has a glorious old farm that was built during the time of Lincoln.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful way to show dedication, hard work, and friendship!, December 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Mrs. Mack (Hardcover)

This book shows the lines of friendships reach farther than we can possibly know. Some reach through to adulthood. Also, some of our most uncomfortable feelings can be overcome with dedication to another person or creature. Ms. Polacco comes through with another heart-wrenching story from her childhood of a child overcoming a problew in a very positive manner.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Teaching 5th grade, July 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mrs. Mack (Hardcover)

Dear Readers,

The author writes about things that deal witheveryday life. Life is sometimes difficult and sometimes easy.Everyone needs to remember that some things are really worth waiting for in life.

We have all been kids at one point in our life. Kids tend to want everything and anything. They need to be taught by good role models how to acquire the things that are most important to them in life. This book gives us insight into how one goes about getting what one wants in life. Nothing is free in life.

Teachers could use this book to teach a lesson on working hard to accomplish life's goals. Children could be asked to brainstorm about the goals they have in mind for their own lives. Children could be asked to interview a relative to find out about a goal that they worked hard to obtain. Another lesson that could be taught with the help of this book is caring for someone other than you. This book showed how animals and people could care for one another. Children enjoy doing activities that involve their own pets or just animals in general. Other topics such as death, sickness, and friendship could be taught with the use of this book. This book has an endless amount of topics that could be discussed and developed through the cooperation of the teacher and students.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An everlasting friendship, January 29, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Mrs. Mack (Hardcover)

This is an exciting book about an ever lasting friendship of a horse and rider.This friendship is very special you see because, the first day young Patricia see's the beautiful horse (Penny) she falls in love with her. Though she knows she can't ride her until she's a beter rider. The better Patricia learns to ride the more anxious she is to get on the beautiful horse Penny. Mrs. Mack tries to tell her not to rush, but one day Patricia rides a very difficult horse and falls off. I suggest you read this book and find out what happens to Patricia and her favorite horse(Penny).