Farley Books

This book is great. Alec is given the Black's son as a gift. It is evident that this little colt will be just as wild as the Black was when Alec first met him and that he will have to gentle him slowly as he grows.
A great read for anyone who LOVES horses.

To tell you the truth, when I picked up this book, I didn't think that it was going to be as good as the first two were. But then I got into it, and realized how much lies in this story. It is very much complex, so I am surprised that it would be designated as a kid story, for though I may be a teen, I am a huge fan of Farley's work. There's so much story here. And it's simply amazing. This story tells of a son of The Black, who's given to Alec Ramsay for taking care of his father. But Satan, as he is named, turns out to be a wild killer, just like his father was before he met Alec. This horse had to go through a desperate situation that kept me guessing until the end, and the rage, but how he seemed to really try to make an effort to stop himself, clearly demonstrates the battle between good and evil in one creature's heart. That is one of the things that I think Farley is trying to tell us in this great book of the series. I doubted that I would enjoy it as I started it, but it is one of the greatest books of the series. Farley did another superb job with this book.

All of the Walter Farley books are excellent for young people interested in horses.

I mean, think about this. The son of the black stallion - Satan - is so terrible at the beginning of the book that Henry doesn't want him around Alec. Henry sees something in the colt's stony gaze that makes him think that this horse is a demon, worse than his sire. Alec doesn't believe him, thinking that 'oh, this is my horse, he'll fall in love with me like the Black did'. The thing is, it doesn't work that way. And even after the horse is saved by Alec, he shouldn't all of a sudden act like he trusts the boy. If anything, in my experience with horses, the animal would be much more skittish than ever with someone connected to that event. Henry in particular, yes, but Alec too since he was around. Anywho, read the book. It's good beside that.

A riveting tale that will have you up all night! The Black stallion's son is pure evil. He hates everybody and won't let anybody touch him, much less ride him. He hates Alec, Henry, Mr. Volence--everyone. Alec thinks that with kindess that SATAN will be tame. But Henry, a veteran trainer, thinks otherwise, and is proved right. One day while Alec is at school, Henry fights with the colt--and more unusual things happen than he had ever seen on the tracks...

However, this book lacks the charm or variety of the first two books. It keeps repeating how Satan is a killer and he's worthless.

I like reading this book because
it makes it feel like autumn in the
middle of summer. I'm glad that the
WHOLE ENTIRE book wasn't ALL about Sam
being sad about Bryanna and her dad
getting married. It made it a little
more realistic that one of the cougars
died. I liked it alot.

An amazing story, but not my favorite. Very good intro. Perfect for nature-lovers all over the world. A personal recommendation. I enjoyed reading this book. Very suspenseful but an amazing ending. I strongly suggest you pick this book up on your way through!

These books are pretty much fantasy. And WHY may I ask does everyone's horses get loose or run off or get stolen in all these books? Irresponsible horse owners is the answer. Look, it's fine to read these, but what I am trying to say is what goes on in these books would NEVER EVER HAPPEN! That is why I call them fantasy.

A Kid's Review
What goes on in this book is child`s fantasy. It would not happen to a 13 year old girl. The Phantom sounded like a beautiful horse,which is why I bought the book. I was VERY disappointed. What is extremly foolish is that Samantha calls Phantom 'Zanzibar' as his 'secret' name. Right. Whatever. You just can`t combine realism with fantasy. It makes everything to strange. If you are a realist,don`t read it.

I highly disagree with that review. For one, this series is not a child's fantasy. Of course the thought that a wild stallion would come to you by a river every night is a little far-fetched, but that's what makes it interesting because it makes the reader wish she (or he) was Sam. I agree the Phantom sounded like - and is - a beautiful horse. Both on the covers, and the real Phantom is, too! How the heck is calling a horse by a secret name foolish?!!! Those are Native American taming techniques! Hello?! Have you READ the books? Terri Farley describes in the very first book, THE WILD ONE, that Jake taught Sam Native American taming. For example, first mounting Blackie in water, breathing in his nose for him to get her scent, and giving him a secret name. That's not what I'd call foolish.

I don't think this is fantasy. It's what I'd call "an interesting turn on horse series" because I've never read any other horse series that combines Western riding, ranches, mustangs, and one very special stallion! I very much enjoyed this series, and this book.

Anyway, back to the book.

The Challenger was another exciting edition. It involved cougars, a lone stallion, and - of course - evil Linc Slocum! Read this book, the other Phantom Stallion books in this ,(24 books in the series) and on May 22, 2007, the first book in Terri Farley's new series Phantom Stallion: Wild Horse Island - more commonly called Wild Horse Island and WHI for short -THE HORSE CHARMER, will be in book stores available to read! Most readers should have the book in their hands by June 1! YAY!!!

READ, READ, READ this series!

This is probably the most important book in the series.Why??It probably is because some major things happen in it.Sam's dad gets married,Sam gets attacked,and Sam has her moment with the phantom.

This book isn't that unrealistic,I mean arn't all books supposed to be like that?That is why we have a imagination.This book is really good if you have horses and know how they are.

I would recomend this book to anyone who has a pasion for horses,and has a IMAGINATION!!!!

Check out Terri Farley's website and the phantom stallion's.I tried to put the adress ,but it would not allow me.

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend and was glad I did. I am not big into techno thrillers, but I found this one well constructed without an inordinate amount of technical jargon to fill pages. I noted another reviewer had problems with the lack of technical, but besides people who work with bugs, who would miss it? Certainly not me, as I tend to skim endless technical explanations. I find them tedious and dull. The plot was solid with no gaping holes and the imagery created a very convincing Hawaii.
I would recommend this book without reservation. It's what I term "a good read" and I am eager to see if Farley's next book reads as well.

Wow.

One word sums it all up. This book is brilliant.

Buy it, buy it now!!!

I can't wait to see the next book Farley pumps out. I'd pre-order it now if I could.

Stop browsing through other books, just buy this one. You won't regret it!

What are thrips? To most of us they are tiny insects that damage plants. They are usually controlled by commercial pesticides. To Mr. Farley, they constitute a potential disaster. A nice touch, to see something so common and innocent cast in such a light.

Mr. Farley falls back on his years as a newspaper reporter and editor to give this novel a strong feel of authenticity. I liked the way he showed the odd mixture of commercialism and natural beauty that permeated the Hawaiian island. Old customs and new are in constant conflict and the mixture that comprises Hawaiian culture is shown in loving detail.

This mindset is extended throughout the book, from the discussion of pesticides used by the local planters to the public meeting about the Thrips hosted by the University. Old ways are contrasted with new in almost every aspect of life, but most visibly in the way the islanders treat their environment.

This depth of characterization is strengthened by the wonderful touches of Hawaiian culture, music and scenery. Mr. Farley's understanding of the Hawaiian islands and people bring us sights and sounds that we might not have experienced before. His portrayal of environmental concerns, combined with enough scientific exposition to help us understand the true nature of the threat posed by these seemingly harmless pests, makes this suspense novel rise above the genre to tweak our environmental consciousness.

This book was a disappointing read. It lacked suspense or any originality, and it could only really be entertaining for a very juvenile reader. Most chapters are 1 to 3 pages long and if any suspense is built up, although the chapter titles usually tell you exactly what is coming next, it is immediately resolved. The title seems a poor choice, although that is exactly what attracted me to the book. I am a part of a small proportion of the reading public that would even know what a thrips is (such as entomologists, agriculturists and some gardeners) and, it is these people that should avoid this book. Farley has included nothing here that would indicate that he consulted any outside sources and it is clear he has no interesting or deep insights into the scientific content that he bases the plot around. Additionally, the cover art is truly ugly. The two poor quality thrips images on the cover show likely dead specimens, dried out and broken, with one lying on its back and the other wingless, and hardly menacing looking.

Yikes! Common garden pest turned scourge? R.L. Farley's thrill-a-minute read limns the horrifying possibilities of bio-terrorism. Mutant thrips might be the bio-bugs in question but Farley's plot is as tangled as any web some mad scientist might weave. Here's a fresh blend of science with mystery that belongs on my bookshelf next to my classic favorites of the genre': Jaws and Jurassic Park.

It must be tough to maintain the integrity of a series as the volumes add up, but Walter Farley continues to do so. The Black Stallion's Courage is true to the characters and has an intriguing plot. Set in the aftermath of a horrible farm accident, the Black Stallion and Alec are again put to the test. An inspirational story for all ages.

Once again Walter Farley tells any excellent story. When a fire burns down one of Hopefully farms barns it's going to take a lot of money to rebuild it. Though the Black's daughter Black Minx "Baby" is running in the 2nd and 3rd legs of the triple crown. Alec still wants to bring the Black out of retirement; we see several races in this book one which gives the perspective of people watching the race, which was nice. In the end the Black must race against Eclipse "Pops" the top 3 year old, and a 5 year old horse named Casey, who is compared to Man O' War

This is a good book with a satisfying plot, definately one of my favorites in the Black Stallion series. Alot of action and alot of the Black :]. There are alot of racing scenes, and the one between the Black, Casey and Eclipse almost reminded me of how the Black raced Cyclone and Sun Raider in the original. This one in my opinion, is the only book in the series that is like the original in some ways. Overall, this book is recommended!

I read all the Black Stallion books as a child, but this one has long remained my favorite. It does not have the "high adventure" that frequents many of Mr. Farley's other books - that said, I think the last chapter of this book is possibly the most exciting of the series - but it offers one of the most articulated and lasting pictures of life at the racetrack I have ever come across for either adults or children (the depiction of the "old man" handicapper is especially brilliant).
I think this book is the highlight of the series - joyful and full of all the best excitement the racetrack has to offer. I'm so glad to see it's coming back into print.

This was a great book that I could read over and over. The Black is pulled out of retirement to race again so that there will be enough money to rebuild the barn. The Black must race against Eclipse, the winner of The Preakness and the Belmont and definetly the horse to beat and a chesnut horse who's name I forget. I read this book again last summer and I can still replay the race vividly in my mind. This book might notc be my favorite in the series but it is truly riding high!

"People of the Deer" is apparently Farley Mowat's first book and one of his best. He lived for a year amongst the Ihalmiut, an Inuit people Mowat refers to as "People of the Deer" although they regarded themselves, as have many aborigonal people, as simple "The People."

They are people of the deer--caribou--because, unlike other Inuit groups they are not sea hunters but, instead predators of the migratory caribou herds. The herds have declined in numbers but not as much as the Ihalmiut. From a population high of around 7,000 they had, by Mowat's time, declined to only 40. Why? The impact of European Civilization is too simple of a generalization but, in the Ihalmiut, a people almost extinct, we see the fate of millions.

Native Americans have little or no immunity to Old World diseases. You probably don't have to go much deeper than this. Sure there was alcohol and cultural deterioration but, first and foremost, there is disease. It wasn't deliberate but it came when the first white man and/or African stepped shore in the Americas. Probably the Inhalmiut were slightly luckier than many. Many tribes died out without a trace. Estimates [read '1491'] that as many as 90% of native americans died as the result of unintentionally introduced European diseases.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

The concept is correct anyway. These people were led to their demise by three factors: the church, commercialization (HBC), and the Canadian government. Mowat claims he spent two years living among these people. This is doubted by some. I've traveled in some of the areas that this book takes place. Not everyone has great things to say about this author. One person I talked to called him a historical novelist. He has other nicknames.

But while it is questionable that all the events described in this book and its' successor (The Desperate People) actually took place, at least he got the main theme correct.

Farley Mowat is a Canadian National treasure.

This novel is set in the northern territories of Canada. It move within the people of the inuit. These inland eskimos are an indigeounous people whose population has been diminishing. The influence on the environment as well as the impact on the caribou herds has been putting these people at risk to where they now near extinction and a loss of their way of life.

Beautifully written, the tundra and the barrens comes to life.

A wonderful read!

What ever you do, do not waste your precious life reading this book...

This book is magic. You will never think about a small band of Indians as statistics again. This book does volumes to make people of our society really feel what goes on in traditional societies. To feel jealous of their solidarity. To feel unloved by our own. It's great! READ IT.

Devoted fans of Alec Ramsay and his famous Black horse will be delighted
by the mystery lurking--with increasing literary tension and menace--in this YA novel. Apparently parentless (or emancipated) by this novel in the series, Alec is free to choose his own path, usually in concert with his trainer/mentor, Henry. When they read about a pair of unusual Arabian yearlings in New York state they insist on viewing them in person. One look at the horses convinces them that they must meet the owener and the unnamed sire. The pair decide to make Spain the first stop on their European itinerary. Their odyssey brings them into contact with some shady literary characters, who take an unusual interest in the Black or demonstrate suspiciously extreme hospitality. Could this all be part of an elaborate ruse, even a Trap?

Far from naive about the world of horseflesh Henry and Alec
nevertheless become embroiled in international intrigue--lured ever deeper into unlocking the mystery of the Black's reportedly dead sire, Ziyada. Alec's persistent curiosity and desire to learn the truth will lead
both his horse and himself into serious danger. Farley reintroduces a character from an earlier BS novel: Arabian-born Tabari, now a young married woman. Alec and Henry learn a lot about Arab hospitality, as well as the Arabian love for horses and the lust for generational revenge. Regardless of the certification of the death of Ziyadah, who is the mysterious nocturnal rider of the legendary Firetail? Can Alec resist the final temptation to uncover the identity--and at what cost? This story grips readers early on, holding our attention until the
dramatic denouement, concluding with a teaser about a possible future BS book, FLAME.

For whatever reason, I felt the urge to reread my Black Stallion books, including The Black Stallion Mystery. Filled with the usual perils such as Alec almost getting killed by a wild bull in Spain to he and Henry dropped off in the middle of nowhere. Three yearlings sent to America catch the eyes of Henry and Alec and cause them to wonder if their sire was also the Black's dead sire. Their first destination is Spain with Angel Gonzalez as their host who then takes them by plane to desert country and flies off, leaving them behind. After a long journey they, with the Black's help, find their way to their new host and hostess, who turn out to be Abd-al-Rahman and his wife Tabari whom we had met in The Black Stallion Returns. As the story continues, Abd talks Alec into riding on the Black to find his sire, Ziyadah. After many fruitless nights' search, Alec is about to give up but his host talks him into going once more on his own, and that is when Alec sees the horse with a shimmering cloak of orange, blue and red fire. When he finally finds the horse itself, he finds the once-playful Tabari has grown to a woman wanting revenge for the death of her father, ben Ishak, by killing the Black. How tragic when her shot does not kill the Black, but Ziyadah. A book far removed from horse racing, we instead get another glimpse of desert life and an absorbing mystery. While I missed the usual horse races in the Black Stallion books, this was still full of mystery and adventure.

The Black Stallion Mystery is one of my favorite black stallion book. It was suspensful and exciting.it made you wonder what was going to happen next!!! I loved this Book.

A group of my students chose this book for a literature circle because the boys wanted a mystery and the girls wanted a "horse story." I talked them into this one, and it was a great hit with all!!! Taking the reader to exotic lands and throwing in the proverbial "red herring" kept my students absorbed the entire time. Great read!

When Henry and Alec check out some yearlings they are shocked to see a very strong resemblance to the Black. So they question if the Blacks Sire could still be a live, but they were told by Abu (Blacks Original owner) that his father had died years ago in Arabia. The temptation that the Blacks father is still a live is too much for them. So they decided to head abroad to the man who sold the Yearlings and see if it is true. The Storyline has interesting twists and turns and Alec meets people who he hasn't seen in years. The book is quite fast paced and is probably one of the best Black Stallion books.

Gift Horse is one of my favorites.
Terri Farley dascribes everything so much that
I feel like I'm there. Tinkerbell sounds like
a lovable horse that I'd like that have around. Even
if he does cause some trouble.

Good story, but not my favorite. This story is a bit long, and after a while...
Very cute, however. Good for young readers. I liked this story a lot. Realistic, touching, and detailed.

I got this book for Christmas (Yesterday!) and I just finished it. I love this one! It starts out with Sam and her Dad going to an auction to make sure no one is selling illegeal mustangs. But Sam ends up saving a huge horse named Tinkerbell! Sam wants to find Tinker's potentieal, but she also has to find a comminuty service project. This is a great book, probably one of my favorite in series.

Ok, I'll admit it, I've grown out of that 'every little girl's horse crazy stage' so this isn't exactly coming from a horse fanatic. But even when I did like, no LOVE, horses, I never cared for these books. I always found that the books had unnecessary length to them which dragged out the plot. The plot was never too interesting, anyway. In this book the main character, Sam (who is supposedly 13, but having been 13 myself I know that it would have been much more accurate to label her as 10 or 11 according to her personality) adopts a draft horse to save from slaughter, but the new horse ends up causing havoc. Same old, same old. If Sam can't handle the auction block without chickening out and having to 'save' a horse, why would she go? Although the horse causes trouble in parts of the book it ends happily (of course.) Would we faint if a children's book actually ended unhappily? Some may say it's depressing, I call it realistic. So if your sick of the recycled plots, happy-ending, little girl vibe of horse stories, this series will be of no relief to you.

Phantom Stallion #9 Gift Horse is another great book in a great series. I have enjoyed reading the first 11 books in this interesting and exciting series. I like this series because it has realistic characters and both wild and tame horses. I highly recommend this series for anyone who likes horses.

I rated this book five stars because it is written well.
The book is about a high school football player named Chip Hilton. He is a sophomore who played fullback and now the team has a another fullback meaning they don't need him in that position. So, Chip becomes the new quarterback. The regular quarterback is from another side of town and is mad at Chip for taking his job. Then all the teamates from that side of town start to hate Chip creating a lockeroom fued.
Finally, the team starts to like Chip and they make the playoffs.

Then after winning two playoff games Chip misses the bus and gets a ride with someone he knows and they crash breaking Chip's ankle so, during the championship he has to sit but he calls the winning play.

The main lesson is good sportsmanship.

I thought this book was one of the best books in the Chip Hilton Sports Series! I have read almost the entire series, and trust me, this one is GREAT comparing to a lot of the other super stories in the series.

I just purchased this book and read it and I really, really enjoyed it. I can't wait until a purchase another book and I hope to read the whole series. Great story for anyone!

I grew up reading the Chip Hilton books and loved every one of them. A few years back, Claire Bee's daughter and her husband decided to bring them back, which was a great idea. Unfortunately, they also decided to update the books.

If you want a great sports book for kids, find the original versions of these books and read them, instead of these updated versions. You can tell the originals from the fakes by looking at the author's name on each book. The originals were written by Claire Bee, the fakes are by him, his daughter and others.

One of the things I always enjoyed about the books was that they were written at a time when the rules in sports were quite a bit different than they are today. In football, for example, if the other team scored you had a choice between having them kick off to you, or you kicking off to them. The strategies and formations were a lot different too, and of course back in those days people still talked about good sportsmanship and it was important.

The updated books don't make much sense, since they are still using the old strategies and rules, but the books are set in modern times.

Despite what I consider unnecessary political correctedness and modern terms, none of the flavor of the lessons learned nor the courage, strength and dedication of the Valley Falls athletes are lost. They are still there valid and apparent today as they were 50 years ago. I am very glad they are back and await my chance to read them all again ... new versions of not ...

Great script for an exciting, fun play. Definitely worth performing.

In 2007, I recorded a background CD for a local production of this play. I used my keyboards, drum machine and digital multi-track recorder to recreate the music in a karaoke style for their performances. It came out quite authentic. I'm MRPJZ on myspace.

A few years ago a friend of mine gave me the CD of the original Broadway Cast. I really enjoyed this musical. About a year ater that, the Las Vegas Little Theatre in Las Vegas produced the musical, and I was the Stage Manager. I fell in love with the wild story, and its craziness. BATBOY isn't everyone's cup of tea in the theatre, but I loved the show. If you are an avid reader of "those kinds of newspapers", you'll get more than a few laughs over the CD, and the script. Oh yes, my CD was stolen from me, and I just had to have another copy for my collection. I still have my copy of the play.

If you can divorce yourself from the lyrics (and show) that really says nothing... and says it quite crassly, the music is amazing.

I believe the composer is extremely talented and could make a competition quality arrangement of "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall". Too bad this set of music doesn't say something equally important. Perhaps next time.

I read this play and later saw it, too, performed at the local high school. The script itself is a brilliant work, but if you really want the full experience it is a must-see show. The music is heart-rending and inspiring, and the lyrics are creative and meaningful. I find the story, if a bit twisted, to be very truthful to our modern society, and it gives insight to our natural discriminatory ways. The Bat Boy has to face the hatred of the townsfolk and struggle to get them to see him for who he really is. This simple theme is packed with twists and turns galore, plenty of suspense, and loads of laughs. Every time a song or a scene gets pulled to a tense or teary climax, there will be a line, or even a subtle word, that provides comic relief. The script alone is wonderful to read, but I recommend you buy the CD with it, because the music is so incredible. Overall, a thrilling play!

My school is putting this on and I'm in it. When I first researched it, I was a bit skeptical, but the superb music and writing changed everything - this script only verifies my appreciation for Farley and Flemming's work. There's so much room for fun - choreography, character, song, setting, and things like that. The musical probably has every questionable subject possible: incest, rape, interspecies sex, gore, and the like - we have a box for letters, as most school productions of this likely do. But you watch it (or act in it) and you enjoy it so much, and you laugh yourself silly while thinking it's "so wrong". But that's the great part - it exposes all this material and makes fun of it without losing the sharp, dry wit, the earnest motives. And O'Keefe's music, of course, carries the day. Anyway, the script matches the musical well - it's concise and clear. Watch the show or be in it - it flows so well you'll have the time of your life.

and improbable.
Like the rest of the Black Stallion series the book is highly fictionalized.
Any progeny of the "Black Stallion" would not be allowed to race "legally" either under saddle or in harness.
Terms are used loosely.

Harness racing is hard on the trainers and even harder on the horses.
While I am a fan of both flat racing and harness racing the book is better left to the young. Who I hope someday learn the way it really is.

I sure wish I could remember how I felt when I first read this as a child. And now, even as an adult, I can still enjoy it. When Henry was young, it was his young friend Jimmy Creech who loaned him money to buy a racehorse, and Henry's career took off. Now, as old men, it is Henry who helps his old friend Jimmy by letting him breed his mare The Queen to the Black at no charge. When the time was nearing for the Queen to give birth, Jimmy almost sold her, but because of his young assistant, Tom Messenger, he changed his mind and sent the Queen to stay at Tom's Aunt and Uncle's farm. Those who have read the book know of the ups and downs of judging when the foal is to be born, how to gentle the colt, and teach him manners. Tom grows much closer to his Uncle and Aunt and, when the time comes for him and the colt to return to Pennsylvania, he is sorry to leave. Back at the stables though is the colt's introduction to harness racing, and a name, Bonfire. So much information on harness racing to learn, you don't miss Henry, Alec or the Black, but get wrapped up in the relationship between Jimmy, his partner George, Tom and Bonfire. A great book by a great author, and I would certainly recommend it wholeheartedly even to those who have read it many times before.

A new twist on the series that still ties in to the racing theme. But this horse is used for harness racing at the trot instead of racing galloping. Although the characters are completely new, the plot is fun and it goes with the idea all of the previous books had with training and racing and one big race.
I loved this book.

Tom has to take care of the Queen, a retired racing mare who has been bred to the Black, a few days before she is suppose to foal. He stays at his Aunt Emma and Uncle Wilmer's farm. He soon has difficulties with his uncle and this causes problems with the colt. The colt comes unexpectedly and his aunt and uncle are very surprised and this makes his uncle reconsider some of the things he thought he knew. He pays more attention to Tom's methods and soon he and Tom are getting along well. Then the fair comes and Jimmy and George send Tom a letter saying that they'll be there and race Symbol. This is the start of a very long and lasting problem with Jimmy and also gets Tom more experience and ideas on racing.

This is a great book! The plot is wonderful and it is very easy to follow. If you have read any of Walter Farley's other books and have liked them well then this one will probaly be your next favorite book! It doesn't matter if you are a girl or boy, young or old, as long as you love horses and racing then you will love this book!

First there was The Black Stallion, then there was The Black Stallion Returns, then there was Son of the Black Stallion. Then the series went rapidly downhill. Of the entire (long) list of Black Stallion books only a few really stand out in my mind years later. This is one of them. Perhaps it's because Farley is writing with a new set of characters, and a new horse - a son of the Black raised for harness racing. Whatever the reason there is freshness to the people and plot here that was sadly lacking in most of the later books.