To Race a Dream [Paperback]

Deborah Savage (Author), Lisa Falkenstern (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 13, 1996

When 15-year-old Theodora Harris moves to Savage, Minnesota, she has no idea that the fastest horse on earth, Dan Patch, lives next door. Suddenly, Theo can think of nothing but horses. The only trouble is, she's a girl--and in 1906 girls cannot even work in the stables, much less race. But Theo is determined to be a jocket, and through her friendship with the amazing Dan Patch, Theo dares to follow her dreams. Young Adult.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-In rural Minnesota in 1906, Theodora, 15, disguises herself as a boy so that she may work on a horse farm. Her dream is to drive horses, especially the champion, Dan Patch. There are several cliched characters, e.g., the horse-loving heroine; the wise, old man who counsels her; the boyfriend who sympathizes with her dream; the sister adored by the parents, etc. Savage gives glimpses into the other characters, but only Theodora is thoroughly developed. The author uses little subtlety in conveying the theme of following one's dreams no matter what the cost. A subplot, involving a past relationship between her aunt and father seems far-fetched and too neatly resolved. The story moves along at a steady pace, and readers will find themselves involved in Theo's coming of age. Though not quite on par with National Velvet or Black Beauty, horse fans will probably enjoy it, and anyone who has felt the need to follow a dream will be impressed with this spirited young woman.
Margaret B. Rafferty, Appalachian Regional Library, West Jefferson, NC
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Despite the book's young-looking jacket illustration and a small-town, early-twentieth-century Minnesota backdrop that won't be familiar to readers, Theodora Stevenson comes across as a credible 15-year-old. She has won the academic prize at her school, but her dream is to be a harness-racing driver. A legendary horse, Dan Patch, is quartered nearby--so close, yet so far for a girl who wants to drive. Theodora's parents don't approve of her dream, viewing their older daughter Claudia's career as a symphony violinist as the approved model for success. When Claudia begins a fight with polio, the family becomes so preoccupied that Theo is able to disguise herself as a boy and sneak away to work as a stable hand. She is aided by her friend Carl, who becomes, during that summer, a boyfriend. What is difficult to summarize is actually wonderful reading, conjuring not only images of Farley's Black Stallion and the courtship of Laura and Almanzo Wilder, but also parent-child conflicts that seem very contemporary. Savage's prose conveys the loneliness of not being like others, along with the intensity of wanting to be something special and the anger at finding how difficult that can be. The book's beginning chapters are slow, but once Theo starts her job at the horse farm, the story, which draws on a bit of Savage's family history (her great-grandfather owned a horse named Dan Patch), spins out beautifully. -Mary Harris Veeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 13, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064406113
• ISBN-13: 978-0064406116
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,140,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars underbart!, October 14, 2005

By 

Amanda (Frösön, Östersund, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Race a Dream (Hardcover)

being the first book I've ever cried to while reading, to race a dream holds a special place in my heart. I read it the first time when I was about 12, and I loved it. Now i'm 17 and even though I'm not a horsegirl anymore I still love it. it's also quite fun that there's a swede in it.. go sweden.. :P

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read, June 21, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: To Race a Dream (Paperback)

"Girls can't drive harness horses," Theo muttered. "Stupid."
Theo loves pacing horses. Every day she stares off to the International Stock Feed Farm and dreams of horses. But her mother doesn't think horses are worthwhile. She's always talking about Theo's wonderful sister Claudia. Theo is furious. Then, when her sister becomes ill with polio, Theo slips away, dressed as a boy, to get a lousy job of picking things up around the stable. She meets Dan Patch, her idol horse, but it is still a tall ladder to her dream of driving--but Theo decides to climb it. But how long can she live a lie?
This book is excellent. It makes you feel like you are really there and feeling Theo's emotions. You can almost hear the horses snorting, see the sweat shine on Dan Patch's bay flanks, and smell the horse sweat. You can feel the horror of Claudia's sickness and the joy of meeting legendary pacers. A great introduction to the somewhat unpopular world of harness racing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book, July 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: To Race a Dream (Paperback)

Since I'm not a big horse fan, I wasn't too excited when I checked this book out. When I started reading it, I couldn't stop. It's so well written, everything is described well and you get a real feel for the characters, especially the main character: Theo. It's inspiring, and shows that sometimes the same dream can take a different shape. There's a good romance going on throughout the book, which adds to it's charm. I definitly recommend this book toanyone, especially girls, horselovers, or aspiring writers between the ages of 8 and 15