Black Beauty by Anna Sewell

I found this delightful book in my shelf of classics as we prepare to downsize from out townhome to (possibly?) an apartment to accept a calling in Bismarck. I am trying to decide what is worthy of keeping in hard copy vs. what is ripe to give away. And is it worth saving for the grandchildren?

I'm not sure about this one. I enjoyed the sweet little stories that make up each chapter, but they were not exciting. I mean, I enjoyed them, but not sure a younger reader (like John or Henry) would. I loved learning about the life lessons each of Black Beauty's owners taught, and what stood out most was the love and care for and value of family. It also contains a lot of vignettes that reveal how the poor in England, and in London in particular, survived during this transition between the horse era and the "modern" era of trains, etc. I've always been intrigued by this time period and the tragic way life was lived in order to survive, particularly the children.

I am a horse-lover, so I enjoyed hearing things from his (Black Beauty's)point of view. I'm not sure I treated our horses (while I was growing up) with the care I should have--this book definitely advocates for kindness in training!

This particular copy is old, and probably why it's still around is that it has a Paso Robles address hand-written in it. I'm wondering how it came to us. Perhaps from Grandma Louise Austin? Still, I think it's a give-away. It was enjoyable and light reading, good lessons, but not probably one I will pick up again.