Tennessee Rose - Paperback
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Tennessee Rose - A Civil War Horse Story
Tennessee Rose tells the story of a dark bay Tennessee Walking Horse with a distinctive rose-shaped marking on her forehead. Set in Alabama in 1856, this middle grade novel follows Rosie as she experiences life on a plantation during the years leading up to the Civil War.
Story Overview
Rosie loves performing the running walk that Tennessee Walking Horses are famous for, dashing around the plantation before returning to her comfortable stall. Her closest companion is Levi, the enslaved boy who serves as her groom. As tensions rise and the Civil War approaches, Rosie begins to question the world around her, including the fairness of slavery and whether Levi could ever be free.
Unique Narrative Perspective
Written in first person from the horse's point of view, this novel follows in the tradition of Black Beauty. The equine narrator provides a distinctive lens through which young readers can explore complex historical themes including slavery, friendship, and the Civil War era. This narrative approach makes difficult historical topics accessible to middle grade readers while maintaining emotional authenticity.
Educational Content
The book includes an appendix filled with photographs and facts about Tennessee Walking Horses and the Civil War. This supplementary material provides historical context and helps readers understand both the breed characteristics and the time period in which the story takes place.
Jane Kendall is the author of Horse Diaries #4: Maestoso Petra and many other titles. She has illustrated more than two dozen children's books and has been a senior writer for Greenwich Magazine since 1992. Kendall has written for The New York Times on film history and teaches a college-level writing course for the Institute of Children's Literature. As an enthusiastic rider growing up, she once went Christmas caroling on horseback.
Perfect For
This paperback is ideal for readers ages 9-12 who enjoy horse stories, historical fiction, and first-person narratives. The book combines animal stories with American history, making it valuable for both recreational reading and educational purposes. Young readers interested in the Civil War period, African American history, or equestrian topics will find this story engaging and thought-provoking.
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