Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express [Hardcover]

Bernie Fuchs (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Award-winning artist Bernie Fuchs creates an exciting adventure about an orphan boy and his beloved horse as they ride the Pony Express.

Known for their courage, self confidence, speed, and willingness to face adversity, the riders of the Pony Express quickly became legendary heroes in their time. Now dramatic oil paintings by award winner Bernie Fuchs capture the spirit, strength, and stamina of one young rider, Johnny Free, as he and his beloved pony, JennySoo, set off at top speed. After racing with his Paiute friend, Little Grey Wolf, Johnny goes on to face unexpected danger--and only JennySoo can save his life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4--Although the Pony Express operated for only 18 months, the courage and daring of the young men who made these trips, battling severe weather, treacherous terrain, and hostile Indians, have become legendary. Fuchs has drawn on numerous historical accounts to create a fictionalized story of such a run. Readers follow young Johnny Free and his faithful pony, JennySoo, as they ride "like the wind," are watched by wolves, find their relief station burned to the ground, and are eventually attacked by hostile Paiutes. In a minor stretch of credulity, JennySoo returns to rescue her wounded master. The nicely paced, tightly written text captures the excitement and drama of the situation. The full-page, textured paintings carry the action forward, while their misty quality suggests a time gone by. An opening storyteller's note provides necessary background and an informative afterword provides more details about the Pony Express. This is a good introduction to the subject for youngsters not quite ready for Steven Kroll's longer and strictly factual Pony Express! (Scholastic, 2000). --Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Blue Sky Press; 1St Edition edition (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439266459
• ISBN-13: 978-0439266451
• Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 9 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,334,003 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Saddle up for a ride with the Pony Express, June 1, 2004

By 

Melissa Sack (georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ride Like the Wind: A Tale of the Pony Express (Hardcover)

Join Pony Express rider Johnny Free and his pony JennySoo as they deliver the mail. This picture book tells the story of a nights ride where Johnny and JennySoo meet up with seven Paiute warriors. Read this book to find out how they escape them.

The oil paintings in the book were really pretty. I like the story. It kept the readers attention and kept you wondering what was going to happen nest.

We recommend this book to for adult and children to share together to learn more about the Pony Express. It's a great history lesson. The story it's self is fiction but on the last page the author gives us some background on the real Pony Express.