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beemini's review
5.0
A very moving memoir about a horse trainer who gives up everything to save her racehorse from the abusive horse racing industry. I wouldn’t even describe myself as an “animal lover” but found the descriptions of abuse distressing at times. This is partly due to the wonderful artwork that captures the exciting subject matter beautifully.
sunscour's review
3.0
Just not for me... A lot of facts about horse racing, horse racing drugs and how lawyers work..
I think I was expecting something else.. I think if you are into horses then you will love this. Gail Ruffu is a hero and stood up for what she believed in, that is something I loved about this story.
I think I was expecting something else.. I think if you are into horses then you will love this. Gail Ruffu is a hero and stood up for what she believed in, that is something I loved about this story.
tx2its's review
5.0
Reading 2020
Book 117: Grand Theft Horse by G. Neri
This is my third G. Neri selection. Reviewed Yummy earlier this year. Also really enjoyed his novel Ghetto Cowboy. This selection is a graphic novel.
The book is a biography of a horse trainer Gail Ruffu, Neri's cousin. Gail is an unconventional type of horse trainer, she wants to race horses without drugs, and not too soon before their bones have had a chance to mature. Gail finds herself in a contract to train and race a horse. The others in the contract force the horse to race before Gail thinks he is ready. When the horse sustains a leg injury Gail wants the horse to rest and fully recover. The others want him to race before he is completely healed. Gail being 20% owner in the horse decided to hide him so that he cannot race, thus setting off a chain of events that will lead to the California Supreme Court.
This book was great. The art was well done, the story well told. Loved it all. The book is reviewed for grade 6 and older. I think that kids like horses or horse racing will find this book fascinating, as it is a true story. My rating 5⭐️
Book 117: Grand Theft Horse by G. Neri
This is my third G. Neri selection. Reviewed Yummy earlier this year. Also really enjoyed his novel Ghetto Cowboy. This selection is a graphic novel.
The book is a biography of a horse trainer Gail Ruffu, Neri's cousin. Gail is an unconventional type of horse trainer, she wants to race horses without drugs, and not too soon before their bones have had a chance to mature. Gail finds herself in a contract to train and race a horse. The others in the contract force the horse to race before Gail thinks he is ready. When the horse sustains a leg injury Gail wants the horse to rest and fully recover. The others want him to race before he is completely healed. Gail being 20% owner in the horse decided to hide him so that he cannot race, thus setting off a chain of events that will lead to the California Supreme Court.
This book was great. The art was well done, the story well told. Loved it all. The book is reviewed for grade 6 and older. I think that kids like horses or horse racing will find this book fascinating, as it is a true story. My rating 5⭐️
heathersbike's review
5.0
Terrific story, even if you're not a horse person. I know nothing about racing I didn't pick up in this book but it seems to me if your horse risks dying racing as a two-year-old perhaps that's not a good plan.
resslesa's review
5.0
Fantastic! Started off a little slow but the amount of injustice and the multiple court cases and amount of suffering the protagonist had to endure -insane! Happy for mostly resolved ending but damn so many struggles. Love the illustrations -lots of varied panel constructions and full page almost collage type images. A nonfiction stunning read. Can’t wait to share with students! Make sure they know to keep going. It gets great!
k_mysmes's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
I usually like to pace myself with graphic novels to I can take in the art as well as the story, but I was speeding through this like a spicy thoroughbred running the track! Very eye opening about the US racing industry. We need more people with Gail's ideals to make it better and more focuses about the welfare of the horses than about trying to make a buck.
sherming's review
3.0
Monochrome graphic novel recounting of a true story about a female race horse trainer who is charged with stealing a horse to prevent it from being abused and probably killed. The story is compelling and informative. I'm surprise, though, that the author hasn't been sued for libel given the way the villains are depicted.
Good for high interest, low ability readers. Good for horse lovers.
Good for high interest, low ability readers. Good for horse lovers.