Smoky the Cow Horse

This is one of the best books that I have ever read. When I first checked it out of the library I thought it might be a boring book, but I was wrong. This book is a real page-turner. The grammar may be horrible, but it adds to the setting, and it makes you feel like you're actually in the old west. Will James did a great job with the characters too. It makes you feel like you know the characters, and you feel what they're feeling and everything. It is a layered book that is similar to Black Beauty, and if you liked that story, you will definitely like this. You may not have even liked Black Beauty, but if you like horses, stories of the old west, Spaghetti Westerns, and anything of the sort, you will definitely love this book. It keeps you on your toes, always wondering what will happen next. Will James wrote this book very well, and it deserved a newbery medal, five stars, ten out of ten, 100%, and I really think a movie should be made about it.

I found this book in the library and checked it out because I thought the name was funny. I was a bit afraid to read it, though, because I thought it might be a boring book. I was wrong. This book fully deserved the Newbery medal, and I laughed about 20 times just when I was starting it. This book is equivalent to Black Beauty, it has a similar storyline with tales of thieving, rodeos, and a love for horses. I liked it even more when I found out how old it was. I had just read an antique! The story had plenty of twists and turns, with loyalty, grief and happiness. I highly recommend this book

My dad bought me this book in 1954. It continues to be one of my favorites. Will James was the original cowboy author-illustrator and excellent at both. I can feel Smoky's hide under my hand and taste the dust of the great open spaces. A truly great read...and not just for the younger set!

If you like horse stories, this one has got to be the best one there ever was! It is my absolute favorite book! It is about a cowboy named Clint, and his favorite cowpunchin' pony called Smokey. It starts out when Smokey is born, and about his life when he is younger. Then Smokey is rounded up, branded, broken in to using a saddle, and ready to start his career as a cow horse. He is assigned to the Rocking R, a cow outfit in the open west. In time, Smokey becomes the best cow pony in the whole cow outfit. Smokey and Clint become the best man/horse team, and they are inseperable. When the Rocking R breaks during the winter, Smokey is turned loose to roam free on the plains with the other cow ponies. In the middle of a snowstorm, a horse russler comes and drives Smokey and his herd far away from Clint and the cow outfit. Will Smokey ever get to see his master again? Well I aint about to spoil it for you, you're gonna have to read it to find out what happens next. Im sure you'll love it!

Will James obviously knows horses inside and out.Inside of a horse: James manages to put the reader right into Smokey's head throughout his adventures. Smokey is a bright and beautiful wild "mustang", who is caught and barely half-broke by a cowboy to work range cattle. He and the cowboy, Clint, develop a special partnership, and Smokey becomes a minor legend among the local cowboys as the savviest cowhorse out there. Then fate takes a downturn when Smokey is stolen, and an outraged and heartsore Clint searches for his horse. Outside of a horse: Will James drawings of Smokey are more alive than most living horses! They are loaded with action, personality, emotion, and the perfectly true portrayal of a horse in motion. As good as the book is - and it is wonderful - the sketches and paintings are perhaps even better!This is a story of hard work and good fun, courage, trust, affection and loyalty. It's a great book for kids and adults alike.