So, the drawn number is 14 and I am to finish Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. I began this early in the year to take part in the Children's Classic Literature Event but never got around to going past the first 15 chapters. I guess this is mainly due to the fact that I don't usually take to stories about animals, and couple with being and autobiography, plus written with simple language meant for children, I'm finding this one a bit difficult for me. However, with the goal of finishing it by April 1st ahead of me, I hope to finally cross this book off my list.
And, just for fun, I went onto a random number generator site to see, if I felt like it, what my next two books from this list could be. I drew #13 and #17 — Ben Hur and The Help, respectively. I'm not sure I'll follow through, but it's fun to just have these lined up for in case I feel like a bit more challenge after the short novel on Black Beauty.
Have you read Black Beauty before? What's your take on children's books about animals?
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I’ve never been a huge animal story fan (plus horses give me the creeps). I sometimes have issues with young adult books if the vocabulary is too simple; I feel it is a slap in the face not only to me but to the market audience as well, so I understand your difficulty with Black Beauty. I hope you can jump over the hump and enjoy your classic spin pick. Also, I love that you randomized your next two books if only just for fun.
I think Black Beauty is more geared towards children rather than young adults. The whole concept and language seem to say so. I’m like you, though. I never quite took to books about animals (this is NOT counting the kinds of books where the animals are PEOPLE like in Brer Rabbit and The Wind in the Willows). I have Jack London’s White Fang and The Call of the Wild lined up for some time in the future and am currently hoping the language will be beautiful….’cause if it’s going to be anything like BB then I’m definitely leaving them unread!!
I like your idea about using the random number generator to pick another book or two — mind if I use it (with full credit of course!)?
I haven’t read Black Beauty in decades, but did read War Horse more recently for a Developing Literacy class. Children’s books about animals (War Horse is told BY a horse!) are some of my favorites – probably because I love animals so much and always imagine what they might be thinking and feeling — I like to read about what other people think and imagine about animals, too.
Of course! Go ahead…and don’t worry about the credit. I’m actually kinda embarrassed that anybody would have to ask. …:)
Black Beauty is also BY a horse. So, I don’t know if I’ll ever be trying War Horse! (Whom is it by, by the way? I have never heard of this title.) I’ve never been much of an animal person. I think they’re adorable from afar, but up close I’m quite terrified actually!! I’ve got better in years, especially since my husband loves animals which means we now own a dog.
War Horse is by Michael Morpurgo — it was recently made into a stage play with intricate horse puppets, and also a film. I cried and cried and cried reading this book!
I read an abridged version of this book as a child, and loved it! Animal books were some of my favorites as a little girl.
Hmmm…I’m guessing the version you would’ve read was the original? Because, I doubt this can be simplified any further than it already is.
Haha, you could be right… but these were 4 really skinny books with lots of pictures! I got a regular version of the book. I need to compare the two sometime.
Sounds like a good push to finish a book (I need those sometimes). I love your idea of generating your own random numbers…I had to follow suit just for curiosity’s sake. My #14 was The Beautiful and Damned by F.Scott Fitzgerald. Next two random choices were The Professor’s House (Cather) and The Sorrows of Young Werther (Goethe). Maybe I’ll see if I can get through more than just the first. Thanks for the inspiration/motivation!
Oh! I want to read The Beautiful and the Damned sometime. I have an e-copy. But I’m trying to hold out till I can get myself a print copy. I’ve never heard of your other two choices (though I am familiar with the writers).
And, you’re welcome.
I read Black Beauty recently and was put off by its very loud messages. I agreed with all its messages, but I did not like being hit over the head with them. No subtlety at all. War Horse is written better and is less preachy.
I put Black Beauty on the list for my Classics Spin but ended up with Maria Edgeworth’s Patronage. I will get to this someday though — I do own it!