Who Was Seabiscuit? by James Buckley Jr.

Who Was Seabiscuit? Reviews

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  Janete on hiatus due health issues

  4,5 stars. Project Learning English by myself through children's books.
  "On a foggy morning in summer 1936, horse trainer Tom Smith stood by a Boston racetrack called Suffolk Downs. He was looking for horses that his stable owner could buy. Smith watched horse after horse walked by... The horses were nearly all tall, strong-looking, and elegant. They had long, straight faces and looked around proudly...
  
  Smith had seen a thousand animals like them in his long career helping horses learn how to race.
  
  As he watched, another horse emerged out of the fog. This horse was different. It was smaller than the others. Its legs were not long and lean. Its knees looked like they were different sizes. And instead of walking smoothly and proudly, the horse clumped along awkwardly.
  
  But then the horse stopped. It turned to look at Smith. The trainer later said that the horse gazed down its nose at him and seemed to ask, "Who the devil are you?"
  
  Smith just stared. In all his years of watching horses, he had never seen one like this. He had never had a horse look at him in just that way... As the horse walked away, Smith said, "I'll see you again."
  
  Two months later, Smith did see him again. Smith's boss, Charles Howard, had bought the horse. Over the next four years, Tom Smith helped the horse become one of the greatest racers ever and a real American hero. The horse's name was Seabiscuit." (Pages 1, 2, 3 and 4)
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  Charlie N.

  I love this horse.
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  Josiah

  Wonderful biography! Seabicuit is amazing!
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  Dan

  This was about the thrilling rise and fall and rise again of a famous race horse called Seabiscuit. He was a well known horse during his life time and an inspiration to many who were facing the Great Depression. He lifted the spirits of America's ordinary citizens. It is a story that shows that anyone or anything can become a success if they put their minds to the goal.
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  Sarah

  I just love this horse and his story. This was as thrilling for my 9yo as Hillenbrand's book was for me (read over a decade ago and not forgotten). It was one of the best Who Was books I've read. I appreciated Buckley's writing and will look for more by him.
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  Kelly

  I think most people who know horse racing have heard of Seabiscuit. But like many people, I knew nothing about this champion.
  
  This is a great "biography" of this beautifully talented horse, his life and career, and the jockey who rode him.
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  Natalie

  Well written, but the honest truth is, I don't give a fig about horses so it wasn't my favorite to read.
  
  I guess I now know the story of Seabiscuit.
  
  
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  Dana Friesen

  This is a great story to read with older kids while learning about an interesting character and time period in history. There's a lot of detail, as well as interesting pictures, which kept my 8-year-old engaged. We plan to follow this up with other books in the series.
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  David Rough

  From underdog (under-horse actually) to dark horse to favorite horse to broken horse to come-back horse, this story of Seabiscuit was a good read. This young-reader historical text provides some good insights into the context of history in the 1930s including the great depressions.
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  RougeMyst

  I really liked this book
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  Erin Pierce

  Great short bio.
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  Mary T

  As a Kentucky transplant, this helped me learn more about the horse racing culture. Many streets in Lexington are named after horses, but I don't think we have a Seabiscuit Road!
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  Emma

  What an amazing horse.
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  Tam Newell

  Interesting story. I never saw the movies or read the other books. I may need to now.
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  Kenzie

  good book
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  Sarah W

  I enjoyed this biography of Seabiscuit's life and I think some of the horse-crazy students at my school will enjoy it. I'm just spoiled from reading Laura Hillenbrand's account.
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  Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens

  I finally did it! I read my first big-headed biography! Now I know why these fly off the shelves like crazy. So much quality information in a quick read. Why did I choose to read the one about Seabiscuit? The Kid Zone staff was focusing on reading non-talking animal books during the month of April!
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  Bella

  This book is awesome. I love all of the book because it is a horse and my mom loves horses. She loves the derby also. By derby I mean the Kentucky Derby.
  
  Seabiscut is a young horse who grows up to be a racer. He is Thourghbread horse. He has lots of fails but wins lots of races. As a horse he breaks his ankle. Most
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  Erin Fowler

  Interesting read about a horse who made history as one of the fastest and most loved. This horse even made a huge comeback after an injury where many said he would never race again. Read to find out more!
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  Cindy Rollins

  My student asked to read this and it turned out to be enjoyable.