![]() When the Australians set off to trek across the desert, the men knew they had to take good care of their horses, who often went for 36 hours without water, and who had no hay to eat, only solid grain. Guy Hardon was not paired with Midnight, and he had to search for her and plead to ride her again. When the surviving cavalrymen were re-united with the Australian horses months later, there was no guarantee that they would be re-assigned their own horses. Third, we learn that the ships full of Australian horses headed to the Middle East campaign were bound for Egypt, while the ships full of the cavalrymen headed to Turkey, where they would fight in the horrible battle of Gallipoli. Second, we learn that the Australian “Light Horse” regiments of cavalry were comprised of men who volunteered with their own horses, or horses lent to them. (Courtesy, Haydon Stud)įirst, we are treated to a horse breeding and raising story set in rural New South Wales in Australia. Here’s the real Guy Haydon on his mare, Midnight, during World War I. “War Horse” is a lovely bit of fiction, an allegory for thousands of British horses who headed to war. The push of the story is Albert’s quest to find his horse and bring him home. But Joey and Albert were apart for most of the war on the western front in France. One reason I liked this book so much is because it is set so far from the USA and what we traditionally know about horses in World War I, much of it demonstrated so beautifully by the book, play and film War Horse. They will be awed by the final result of Guy’s refusal to be separated from his horse, and their date with destiny in what was one of the last successful horse cavalry charges in the history of warfare. When the book ends, children will remember the relationship between Midnight and Guy, her owner. While much of this book takes place in the Middle East campaign of British and Australian cavalry forces during World War I, the story is told through the lens of the horse-human bond and the wonderful primitive-style illustrations help deflect the gritty realism of battle or death. Let’s begin this review by assuring anyone reticent about buying a book about war for a child. Molly and Midnight would get along just fine. It’s been years since I found a children’s horse story that I could so wholeheartedly embrace and recommend. If there’s a real-life horse adventure on your wish list this holiday season, head to the children’s department at your local bookstore. Midnight: A True Story of Loyalty in World War IĪuthor: Mark Greenwood Illustrator: Frané Lessac Price: $16.99 ISBN: 0763674664 / 9780763674663 Details: Hardcover 9 5/8″ x 10 5/8″, 32 pages color Published: 2014 in Australia, 2015 in USA (Candlewick Press)
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