GALLANT

A young girl and her beloved horse overcome myriad challenges in this middle-grade novel.

Stories for horse lovers make up a sizable subgenre in the field of children’s literature, and this moving novel about what happens when Gracie, a young girl, forms an unbreakable bond with Gallant, a foal, is a welcome addition. This series opener begins as a true story (told in the third-person) about “a horse named Gallant and the girl who loved him” by the grown-up Gracie and her husband, Jack, to their great-grandchildren. Eckard, well-versed in horse care and behavior, draws readers into Gracie and Gallant’s idyllic first years on the family’s pear farm in Scotts Valley, California. Their connection is portrayed with playfulness and warmth. When a shocking accident separates them, seemingly for good, each must adjust to being without the other. As they grow, Gracie and Gallant unknowingly share a common endeavor: competitive endurance racing, depicted in vivid detail.(Information for readers interested in exploring the sport can be found in the author’s foreword and in a back-of-book list of resources.) WhetherGracie, now 13, will be reunited with her beloved horse, however, depends on Gallant’s owner and rider, 15-year-old Jack, who also loves Gallant fiercely. Eckard’s understanding of her human and equine characters shines throughout the pages, underscored by Gallant’s thoughts—his doubts, fears, and triumphs. The villains of the story include an abusive horse buyer and a stallion named Flash, made vicious by cruel treatment. (What gives Flash his bitter motivation to survive abuse is both chilling and heart-rending.) The text, complemented by artist Mann’s expressive, realistic pencil illustrations, is followed by the author’s poem “The Last Battle Cry,” paying tribute to “The horses who loved us and chose to be with us / when green fields were calling and friends were nearby.” The series will continue in 2022 with Gallant: The Call of the Mustangs.

A well-written novel for young horse enthusiasts—notable for its empathy and equine knowledge.