The Eighty-Dollar Champion (Adapted for Young Readers)

September 15, 2020
The enthralling tale of an unlikely champion. Delayed by a flat tire and a snowstorm, Harry de Leyer arrived at the New Holland, Pennsylvania, horse auction in February 1956 after sales had been completed. The kill buyer had already loaded the unsold horses onto a trailer destined for the slaughterhouse when a gaunt gray gelding with wounds from a plow harness caught de Leyer's eye. De Leyer, a White man who had emigrated from Holland after World War II, knew something about suffering and bought the horse for $80. Within a few months, Snowman was placidly carrying beginner riders at the exclusive Knox School where de Leyer ran the riding program. However, he tripped over ground poles: He seemingly couldn't jump. But after being sold to a neighboring farmer, Snowman regularly jumped 5-foot fences to come home. De Leyer bought him back; soon the unlikely pair were winning against the most cosseted and expensive horses in the country. Though de Leyer's status as a professional riding teacher meant they were ineligible for the Olympics, Snowman became an international favorite. Here, equestrian Letts revises her adult title from 2011. In many ways it's more successful as a young readers' edition: With the tighter focus, the sweetness of the relationship between de Leyer--who, though needing money, turned down blank-check offers for the horse he and his children loved--and Snowman shines even brighter. Extensive backmatter enhances this irresistible story. A lovely telling of a lovely tale. (Nonfiction. 8-16)

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December 1, 2020

Gr 7 Up-Lett's adaptation of her 2011 adult nonfiction title chronicles the rise of white Dutch immigrant and horseback riding teacher Harry de Leyer and his champion horse, Snowman. In the winter of 1956, Snowman was about to be put down. A young de Leyer recognized something special in the horse and bought him for 80 dollars. Snowman's first job was to be a lesson horse at the Knox School, an expensive all-girls boarding school on Long Island, NY. Later, de Leyer sold Snowman to a local doctor who needed a riding horse for his 12-year-old son. However, Snowman kept jumping the fence and returning to de Leyer's stables. He quickly realized that this ex-plow horse could jump. Snowman and de Leyer started competitively jumping. They eventually won first-place ribbons from national competitions, claiming victory against the best and most expensive adversaries money could buy. The aging champion managed to keep his place as the jumper to beat for a few more years until he retired. This title is not a fast-paced read, and the repetition of contest after contest does not make this book a good fit for struggling readers or those who get bored easily. The sweetness of the relationship between Snowman and de Leyer is the driving force behind the narrative. VERDICT Some readers may find this book a little dry, but Letts ultimately crafts a well-written and touching story of a man, his horse, and all they managed to accomplish together.-Sara Kundrik, Gilbert Paterson M.S., Alta.

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