Gabriel's Triumph

January 1, 2008
Gr 5-8-Gabriel, a former slave who has a talent for dealing with horses and winning races, lives in Kentucky in 1864 at Woodville Farm where he works for Mr. Giles, who gave the 13-year-old his freedom after he saved eight thoroughbreds from Rebel guerillas. When Mr. Giles decides to enter his best horse in a prestigious race at Saratoga, Gabriel is thrilled to be chosen as the jockey. The outcome of the big event is never in doubt, but there is enough excitement and suspense along the way to keep readers interested. The narrative is well written and the major characters have depth and realism. The book illustrates that the Civil War touched different people to different degrees and in various ways. In Kentucky, some of the slaves run away to join the Union Army, believing that fighting is better than being a slave. In contrast, large crowds of civilians in a holiday mood attend the Saratoga races. Gabriel discovers that there are good and bad people on both sides. This follow-up to "Gabriel's Horses" (Peachtree, 2007) is part of a planned trilogy but stands on its own."Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2007
Thrilling horse racing once again frames a stirring Civil War story in the second title in the Racing to Freedom series, which began with Gabriel's Horses (2007). Now freed from slavery and a champion jockey, Gabriel Alexander, 13, travels north to race in the big Saratoga Chase in New York. North is supposed to be where freedom is, but Gabriel's brisk, present-tense, first-person narrative reveals his shock at the racism and segregation he finds there. A long note fills in the history, and a cast list will help readers keep the characters straight.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)