michalice's review
4.0
When I first saw Storm Horse, what initially drew me in was the book cover, it matches the story perfectly and conveys what the story is about. I had never heard of the author before, nor had I read any of his work, so I had no expectations going into this book.
Storm Horse begins with Flip, the protagonist, travelling with his Uncle to his new home. He is to stay there with his Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin after the death of his father. What begins as a lonely start, with lots of hard work thrown in, soon turns out to be so much more when Flip rescues a drowning horse from the sea. When the characters were first introduced I really didn't think much of Flip's Uncle Andries, I thought he was too overpowering, to controlling of Flip and his move, and he did not show any sympathy towards him for having no family left. The island that Flip is travelling to sounds desolate and sad, but as Flip explores he discovers more about the island, and begins to make a few friends, and enemies.
Mr Mesman, I have never detested a character as much as I detested him. He thinks he owns the island as he has money, and imagines himself as the owner, as someone who can buy up the land for his own needs. His sons are just as bad and cause trouble everywhere they go. The are spoilt brats with not a single conscience between them.
Storm Horse was an interesting read, it has a mixture of older and poorer times, people work hard to get where they are and do not lay down easily. They have a backbone, a way of life, and a clear guide on what is tolerated and what isn't. I liked the slid feel of the island and it inhabitants once I go into the story, they had thier own history written all around.
As a character Flip is not only resilient, but resourceful and strong. He has lost his family, is sent to live with strangers who are his family, even his way of life has changed. Be he is not afraid to get stuck in, to lend a hand and prove he is worthy of thier trust and friendship. The things he does for Storm go above and beyond what most people would do, and even in the most daring, life threatening situations, Flip does not hesitate to do what he believes is right.
Final Verdict
Storm Horse was a surprising read, but one that I really enjoyed.. It was easy to fall into this world the author has created and when the final page turned, I found myself wanting it to continue.
Storm Horse begins with Flip, the protagonist, travelling with his Uncle to his new home. He is to stay there with his Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin after the death of his father. What begins as a lonely start, with lots of hard work thrown in, soon turns out to be so much more when Flip rescues a drowning horse from the sea. When the characters were first introduced I really didn't think much of Flip's Uncle Andries, I thought he was too overpowering, to controlling of Flip and his move, and he did not show any sympathy towards him for having no family left. The island that Flip is travelling to sounds desolate and sad, but as Flip explores he discovers more about the island, and begins to make a few friends, and enemies.
Mr Mesman, I have never detested a character as much as I detested him. He thinks he owns the island as he has money, and imagines himself as the owner, as someone who can buy up the land for his own needs. His sons are just as bad and cause trouble everywhere they go. The are spoilt brats with not a single conscience between them.
Storm Horse was an interesting read, it has a mixture of older and poorer times, people work hard to get where they are and do not lay down easily. They have a backbone, a way of life, and a clear guide on what is tolerated and what isn't. I liked the slid feel of the island and it inhabitants once I go into the story, they had thier own history written all around.
As a character Flip is not only resilient, but resourceful and strong. He has lost his family, is sent to live with strangers who are his family, even his way of life has changed. Be he is not afraid to get stuck in, to lend a hand and prove he is worthy of thier trust and friendship. The things he does for Storm go above and beyond what most people would do, and even in the most daring, life threatening situations, Flip does not hesitate to do what he believes is right.
Final Verdict
Storm Horse was a surprising read, but one that I really enjoyed.. It was easy to fall into this world the author has created and when the final page turned, I found myself wanting it to continue.
achenaille's review against another edition
4.0
Flip is taken to Mossum to live with his uncle whom he had never met. The reason for this is because Flip's dad has died and his mother is gone. She promised to come back, but no one can find her. Uncle Andries does not seem to like Flip and seems unhappy to have him come live with him. It turns out Uncle Andries isn't thrilled because he and his brother didn't get along. Flip's dad was a thief and left the farming all to his brother. Uncle Andries feels that Flip will probably turn out the same. The first week there Flip does all his chores and the work he is told without complaint, just hoping his mother finds him. Then there is an accident and Flip goes to help. A boat filled with horses sank but there was a horse caught up in the ropes and harness almost drowning. Even though Flip doesn't know how to swim he knows he can't let the horse drown. He cuts him free and takes him home. Through training him and dealing with bullies, Flip and Storm get closer and trust each other in ways Flip never expected. Not that raising a horse is easy, but Flip can't imagine life without Storm now and that may happen. The hotel owner is threatening to take away the farm and then they won't have anywhere to live. Read the story to find out what happens.
Grades: 4-6
Grades: 4-6
wordsofclover's review against another edition
4.0
Flip is an 11-year-old boy living in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, when his world gets flipped upside down and he has to move to a Dutch island to live with his uncle. While Flip begins to discovers the joy of country living, he also experiences some loneliness and bullying but one day rescues a horse from the sea who he calls Storm. Now Flip has to work hard at making sure he can keep his new friend, and keep him safe from those trying to harm him.
This is a brilliant middle-grade book and perfect for any one who loves horses or just loves some boyish adventures. Flip is an extremely adorable main character and I really love his character development throughout the book from a meek, mild boy afraid to even talk to his uncle to someone who isn’t afraid of standing up for what he believes in or who. Flip’s connection with horses is extremely enviable and his relationship with Storm is lovely to read about - while i would have loved a bit more of Flip learning to ride, this isn’t that kind of book. It focuses more on the building of relationships and the trust between boy and horse.
This book confronts bullying and Flip does suffer from bullying and intimidation throughout. He learns himself how to stand up for himself and be proud of who he is and i loved it. In typical children’s book form, the bad guys get their comeuppance which was extremely satisfactory. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the ‘Ghost Girl’. She was a bit of mystery added to the book but I really liked her.
I love that this was set in somewhere I’ve never been and somewhere i’m unfamiliar about so just the ways of life, and language was new to me and I loved hearing stories about the island, like the sunken village and the quick sand.
Adventure, friendship and horses. Perfect for fans of The Black Stallion or Black Beauty! Definitely recommend it.
This is a brilliant middle-grade book and perfect for any one who loves horses or just loves some boyish adventures. Flip is an extremely adorable main character and I really love his character development throughout the book from a meek, mild boy afraid to even talk to his uncle to someone who isn’t afraid of standing up for what he believes in or who. Flip’s connection with horses is extremely enviable and his relationship with Storm is lovely to read about - while i would have loved a bit more of Flip learning to ride, this isn’t that kind of book. It focuses more on the building of relationships and the trust between boy and horse.
This book confronts bullying and Flip does suffer from bullying and intimidation throughout. He learns himself how to stand up for himself and be proud of who he is and i loved it. In typical children’s book form, the bad guys get their comeuppance which was extremely satisfactory. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the ‘Ghost Girl’. She was a bit of mystery added to the book but I really liked her.
I love that this was set in somewhere I’ve never been and somewhere i’m unfamiliar about so just the ways of life, and language was new to me and I loved hearing stories about the island, like the sunken village and the quick sand.
Adventure, friendship and horses. Perfect for fans of The Black Stallion or Black Beauty! Definitely recommend it.
nce14210's review
4.0
This was great, a real winner! I really liked the characters and the story. A wonderful sense of place. I appreciated the growing relationship between boy and horse. I loved the developing closeness of the family, the blossoming of the "ghost girl" and Flip's strength, courage and learning. Wonderful book, terrific narrator, I didn't want it to end. This is one I will want to give as gifts and share with friends . I was lucky enough to win a copy on LibraryThing. My tremendous thanks to them.
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