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Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero Paperback – September 15, 2020
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The inspiring true story of Reckless, the brave little horse who became a Marine.
When a group of US Marines fighting in the Korean War found a bedraggled mare, they wondered if she could be trained to as a packhorse. They had no idea that the skinny, underfed horse had one of the biggest and bravest hearts they’d ever known. And one of the biggest appetites!
Soon Reckless showed herself more than willing to carry ammunition too heavy for the soldiers to haul. As cannons thundered and shells flew through the air, she marched into battle—again and again—becoming the only animal ever to officially hold military rank—becoming Sgt. Reckless—and receive two Purple Hearts.
This is the first picture book from award-winning novelist Patricia McCormick, sumptuously illustrated by acclaimed artist Iacopo Bruno.
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level1 - 5
- Dimensions11 x 0.25 x 9.5 inches
- PublisherBalzer + Bray
- Publication dateSeptember 15, 2020
- ISBN-100062292609
- ISBN-13978-0062292605
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
★ “Vividly brings to life the story of Sergeant Reckless, the only animal to officially hold military rank in the United States. This endearing story of wartime camaraderie won’t soon be forgotten.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
★ “A rousing success. An engaging slice of history.” — Booklist (starred review)
“[An] intriguing historical tale of an underdog. A warm human (and horse) interest story that feels fresh off a newsreel.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Excellent. This well-illustrated war story will appeal to many, especially fans of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse. A strong selection.” — School Library Journal
“Engaging.” — The Horn Book
“A lively look at wartime animal heroism.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER: “Offers a lucid history of the rise of Nazi Germany and a dramatic account of one man’s resistance to evil.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER: “[A] tragic, inspirational, and quite unusual tale of a man who was the moral center of a resistance movement that, though it failed, continues to live on in international memory.” — Booklist (starred review)
Praise for THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER: “Readers will discover how compelling a story about ideas and ideals can be.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for NEVER FALL DOWN: “One of the most inspiring and powerful books I’ve ever read. Never Fall Down can teach us all about finding the courage to speak our truth and change the world.” — Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Praise for PURPLE HEART: “Timely and provocative thriller.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for SOLD: “Hard-hitting ... poignant. The author beautifully balances the harshness of brothel life with the poignant relationships among its residents.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for SOLD: “Unforgettable” — Booklist (starred review)
Praise for SOLD: “Searing...poetic.” — The Horn Book
Praise for CUT: “Poignant and compelling.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for CUT: “This novel, like Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak, sympathetically and authentically renders the difficulties of giving voice to a very real sense of harm and powerlessness.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for CUT: “McCormick tackles a side of mental illness that is rarely seen in young adult fiction in a believable and sensitive manner.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
PRAISE FOR MESMERIZED: “A stylish and humorous exploration of the scientific method and the mysteries of the human mind.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
PRAISE FOR MESMERIZED: “Brilliantly illustrated...stuffed with period detail and sweeping ribbons and curlicues.” — Booklist (starred review)
Praise for MESMERIZED: “Awonderful and fun-filled title that introduces yet another facet of a fascinating man.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for MESMERIZED: “For history buffs, science enthusiasts, and fans of a good story, this one hits all the marks.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review)
About the Author
Patricia McCormick is a former journalist and a two-time National Book Award finalist whose books include Cut, Sold, Never Fall Down, The Plot to Kill Hitler, the young readers edition of I Am Malala, and the award-winning picture book Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero. Patricia lives in New York. Visit her online at pattymccormick.com.
Iacopo Bruno is a graphic designer and illustrator. He is also the illustrator of the acclaimed books Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France and Anything But Ordinary Addie, both by Mara Rockliff. He lives and works in Milan, Italy, with his wife, Francesca. Learn more about Iacopo at theworldofdot.com and iacopobruno.blogspot.it.
Product details
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray (September 15, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062292609
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062292605
- Reading age : 6 - 11 years, from customers
- Grade level : 1 - 5
- Item Weight : 8 ounces
- Dimensions : 11 x 0.25 x 9.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #289,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #168 in Children's American History of 1900s
- #182 in Children's Military Books
- #436 in Children's Horse Books (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Patricia McCormick is a two-time National Book Award Finalist whose books include "Cut," "SOLD," "Never Fall Down," and the young readers edition of "I am Malala." SOLD, based on McCormick's research in the brothels of India, has been made into a feature film. www.soldthemovie.com
Her first picture book, "Sergeant Reckless, The Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero," was called a rousing success by the New York Times. And her non-fiction book, "The Plot to Kill Hitler," was a Publishers Weekly Top Ten of 2016.
Her debut novel, "Cut" is a sensitive portrayal of one girl's struggle with self-injury. "SOLD," a searing novel about child trafficking and "Never Fall Down," based on the true story of a boy who survived the Killing Fields of Cambodia, were National Book Award finalists.
She worked recently with Malala Yousafzai, on the young readers' edition of "I am Malala," the story of the Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban for standing up for her right to an education.
For more information: http://www.pattymccormick.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patricia-McCormick/150993641605301
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers praise the story as wonderful and inspiring, with beautiful illustrations throughout. They find the book a great way to share the story of a horse with kids, teaching history in a gentle manner. The book is described as a must-read for young readers and a perfect way to teach a tough subject. Readers appreciate the pacing and mention it's a great gift for Marine kids or when Daddy is deployed.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story. They find it inspiring and well-written, perfect for sharing with kids of all ages. The illustrations are beautiful and the history is interesting. The book stresses the concepts of dedication, perseverance through difficulty, and teamwork.
"...The illustrations are colorful and interesting. The way the story is written is charming...." Read more
"...Absolutely a cute story!" Read more
"...Highly recommend for any child that wants a good story and to learn some history as well. A great book." Read more
"...The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well writen and accurate. I had no trouble keeping my four year old interested...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's visual quality. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations and how the words are incorporated into the illustrations. The writing is beautifully done and the presentation of the Korean War is gentle.
"...The illustrations are colorful and interesting. The way the story is written is charming...." Read more
"...He loved the story, and the artwork is really great as well...." Read more
"...The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well writen and accurate. I had no trouble keeping my four year old interested...." Read more
"...But, this book was great. Such a nice true story. Well illustrated...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book for kids. They say it explains the story well for young readers and is a good way to teach a tough subject. Readers also appreciate learning about the story of Reckless.
"...he head so it may be a tad beyond her reading level but its a good challenge for her...." Read more
"...Highly recommend for any child that wants a good story and to learn some history as well. A great book." Read more
"...This book is a great way to share her story with my children. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well writen and accurate...." Read more
"I really enjoyed learning about Reckless. I had never heard that story from our history. I shared it with my students and they loved it as well...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it a good children's book about a brave horse and the caring soldiers who trained, fought with, and adopted him. The illustrations are beautiful.
"Uplifting, beautiful true story of a brave horse and the caring soldiers who trained him, fought with him and adopted him for life." Read more
"...will inspire people to read more about Reckless and her fellow soldiers in other books. Beautiful illustrations!" Read more
"Good childs book about a real animal war hero..." Read more
"Great story about a heroic little horse...." Read more
Customers like the gift value of the book. They say it's a great gift for Marine kids and a fabulous gift while Daddy is deployed.
"Fabulous gift while Daddy is deployed." Read more
"Great Gift for Marine Kids..." Read more
"love that they came out with a kids' book on ......" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2019I got this book for my daughter's first grade non-fiction book report because she is a horse crazy girl. The illustrations are colorful and interesting. The way the story is written is charming. The only thing is some of the military vocabulary goes over he head so it may be a tad beyond her reading level but its a good challenge for her. She loved the book and I think its one she'll read over again for a while. It was well worth the purchase.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2024This has become one of my favorite new baby gifts for my active-duty friends. Absolutely a cute story!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019My 8-year old is infatuated with learning about war and wanted something about the Korean War. Hard to find something for that age, but this book did the trick. He loved the story, and the artwork is really great as well. Highly recommend for any child that wants a good story and to learn some history as well. A great book.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2018Being a military brat, veteran, and military spouse, I have a huge love of military history. Sgt. Reckless was an amazing horse who saved so many Marine's lives during the Korean War. This book is a great way to share her story with my children. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is well writen and accurate. I had no trouble keeping my four year old interested. This is a great book to share this story with kids.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023Nice kids book about a little mare purchased during the Korean war who was a real war hero. She held an authentic rank in the United States Marine Corps and lived out her days at Camp Pendelton, being treated with the respect her rank commanded.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2020I bought this book for a community giving tree gift for a kid who wanted "army stories". There are surprisingly few army stories appropriate for a second grader. But, this book was great. Such a nice true story. Well illustrated. Was a bit lacking in the plotline department , no real climax to the story but it is an interesting enough history.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2017The true story of an abandoned little horse who did mighty things for US troops in the Korean War, and was instrumental in helping them win a major victory.
It sounds like this little horse was part goat. She'd eat anything! Poker chips?! But her big appetite helped make it easy to train her and she was super instrumental in some big battles. It is an amazing and mostly humorous true animal story. McCormick keeps the gory war details minimal for kids too (a little blood shown but it is just a little and no big wounds or dead soldiers or anything like that shown). If you're looking for something about the Korean War or true animal stories, this would be a good pick. Don't miss the author's note with some more info about Reckless in the back.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2020Great story. The artwork is engaging, you’ll have to pause on each page to admire it. It does take place during war, but there are no violent combat scenes. It rather stresses the concepts of dedication, perseverance through difficulty, teamwork, and loyalty.
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on December 10, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story and illustrations
Bought this for our horse loving child.. thought it would be a great addition to our homeschool library. The story is incredible and the illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend this... we read it again for Remembrance Day