Bea and the New Deal Horse

About this book

This lyrical middle grade historical novel set during the Great Depression from award-winning author L. M. Elliott is a moving tale of the spirit of American persistence, found family, and the magical partnership between girl and horse. Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction!Bea wakes to Daddy's note in a hayloft, where he abandoned her with her little sister after the stock market crash took everything: Daddy's job at the bank, their home, Mama's health and life.How is Bea supposed to convince the imposing Mrs. Scott to take in two stray children? Mrs. Scott's money and Virginia farm are drying up in a drought and the Great Depression, too. She might have to sell her beautiful horses, starting with a dangerous chestnut that has caused tragedy in the past and injures her stableman shortly after Bea arrives.But wrestling with her own hurts and fears, Bea understands the chestnut's skittish distrust. She sees hope in the powerful jumper--if he can compete at horse shows, they might save the farm, and maybe Bea can even win a place in Mrs. Scott's heart.To save her new home, she'll have to trust the one creature everyone else has given up on. Great Depression Historical Fiction: Set against the backdrop of the stock market crash, this award-winning novel brings the trials and tenacity of the 1930s to life for young readers. A Girl and Her Horse: Bea sees a kindred spirit in the dangerous chestnut horse everyone fears. Can she earn his trust when he's the only hope for saving Mrs. Scott's farm? Overcoming Hardship: Abandoned by her father, Bea must carve out a new life and prove her worth to the formidable Mrs. Scott, a woman facing her own silent struggles. American Persistence: A moving, lyrical tale about the courage it takes to hope, to heal, and to fight for a place to belong when all seems lost.