The Black Stallion's Ghost

I'm a mom who has read nearly all the Black Stallion books when I was young and have now introduced my daughter to them. She is in 4th grade and is 10 years old and LOVED this book! While another reviewer said this book was too scary for her 3rd grader I think you need to evaluate your own child and if they have ever watched the Harry Potter movies or something similiar they will have no problem with this book. It is a little different from most of Farley's books in that it adds some mysticism to the genre and you end up wondering is the monster Kovi real or is it in the imagination of every human being. In a way you never really know and that is what makes the book linger in your mind even after reading it. It's a real page turner and I think most kids today would really like something like this. While the original Black Stallion is a little dated (though still a terrific read), the Black Stallion's Ghost could have taken place right now. Get it and watch your child WANT to read!

The Black Stallion's GhostBy: Walter FarleyReviewed by: J. YehPeriod: P.1The Black Stallion, written by Walter Farley, is about a young boy and a stallion called Black. There has been many sequels of The Black Stallion. This book is about a boy named Alec and his adventure with his horse. Alec went to see a circus with a ringmaster and a horse who is like a ghost. Alec was riding Black through the fog-shrouded Everglades and they came upon a man on a gray mare that turns out to be the Ghost. They met eachother and the captain invited Alec to his house. Alec has a feeling that his host is insane. They had lunch together and Alec was about to go home when the captain begged him to stay for the night because a storm would be coming soon. It turned out that the captain wanted to breed his horse with Black. When Black was getting close with the Ghost, the captain tried to keep him away and got a pitch-fork to defend his horse. The next thing that happened was Black was running off towards the Everglades. Alec who was knocked out woke up and found that Black was gone. He tried to run after him, but the captain wouldn't let him because it was dangerous. Alec begged the captain to go with him because it was his fault that Black ran off. The captain was afraid of the Haitian curse. After a long search, the captain was found dead by Alec. Alec eventually found the Black. He rode back to the captain's place and found the people from the place he was supposed to stay at. They were very worried about Alec and took him and Black back. Alec told them the story, but they said that the captain had died a long time ago. They found out that the blind man had sold the Ghost to a man. Alec had wanted to buy that horse so that he could breed the Ghost and Black. They found the man who had the Ghost and Alec said he would buy it for any amount of money. The man said the horse was not on sale, but Alec eventually bought the horse for a large amount of money. I like the book because it is an adventurous story about a horse and a loving boy. One of my favorite quotes is, "It's too late for regret. I MUST find him." It showed how much Alec had love for Black. Alec had lived with Black since his childhood and had loved and cared for it although the horse was a wild and fierce one that no one could go near him but himself. Another quote that I like was, "Come on. We're getting out of here." This quote meant that Alec was getting out of the Everglades with Black together without any of them getting left behind.My favorite part of the book was when Alec and the captain went to find Black. Alec had the courage to go when the captain didn't. I liked this part because Alec wouldn't give up finding Black and that showed how much he cared for it.

The Black Stallion's Ghost by Walter Farley left me in suspense so I didn't want to put it down! I recommend this book for children ages 8 to 14. It was neat to learn that Ghost's owner was afraid that Kovi would come and get him. The parts where the horse's routine was described were very interesting.

I love the way the spirit, ghost or whatever it is is presented, not your average ghost, here! The dream sequences are marvelous, and the waking nightmares downright terrifying! This book scared me half to death when I was a kid, it still gives me shivers! Though having a scene where a crazed stallion brutally attacks and breeds a mare is NOT children's reading material. And was bad character representation for our equine hero!

I am 12 years old and I LOVED this book! There is NO sex in it, unless you consider the breif mating of The Black and The Ghost. I will admit, however, it does have some pretty detailed deaths and horrors. I stayed up late reading this book it was so good! If you like The Black Stallion- read this book! For added effects- read it at night by flashlight.