''Grand Theft Horse'' is a 2018

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

written by

Greg Neri Greg Neri (pen name G. Neri) is an American author and is known for his work in young adult fiction. He has written books in free verse and novelistic prose, as well as graphic novels. Neri has received awards from the American Library Associatio ...

and

illustrated An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in print and digital published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video ...

by Corban Wilkin. The book is published by Lee & Low and is a

biography A biography, or simply bio, is a detailed description of a person's life. It involves more than just the basic facts like education, work, relationships, and death; it portrays a person's experience of these life events. Unlike a profile or ...

of the horse trainer,

Gail Ruffu Gail Elizabeth Ruffu (born circa 1950) is an American horse trainer and is the subject of a 2018 graphic novel by Greg Neri, ''Grand Theft Horse''. She studied riding in Europe as a teen. Returning to the United States, she was a riding instructo ...

About

''Grand Theft Horse'' tells the story of the life of Gail Ruffu and especially chronicles the events surrounding the theft or rescue of the

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

, Urgent Envoy. Ruffu was worried that Urgent Envoy would be killed if he was raced again. She decided to take him away on

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day is observed around the world, and Christmas Eve is widely observed as a full or partial holiday in anticipation ...

. The author,

, focuses on the drama surrounding the possible injury to a beloved horse.

Illustrations An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in print and digital published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, video ...

pen and ink A pen is a common writing instrument that applies ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Early pens such as reed pens, quill pens, dip pens and ruling pens held a small amount of ink on a nib or in a small void or cavity whic ...

by Corban Wilkin are described as "balancing realism with gently rounded and slightly exaggerated features that foreground emotional stakes," according to ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is av ...

''. ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' compares the illustration style Wilkin used in ''Grand Theft Horse'' to Will Eisner's work. The book includes photographs of Ruffu at the end of the story and also includes her "personal plea for reforms in the horse-racing industry." It is written for

middle school A middle school (also known as intermediate school, junior high school, junior secondary school, or lower secondary school) is an educational stage which exists in some countries, providing education between primary school and secondary school. ...

and

high school A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...

readers. In 2019, ''Booklist'' named ''Grand Theft Horse'' as one of its "Top 10 Biographies for Youth" for the year.

Reviews

Horn Book Magazine ''The Horn Book Magazine'', founded in Boston in 1924, is the oldest bimonthly magazine dedicated to reviewing children's literature. It began as a "suggestive purchase list" prepared by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field, proprietres ...

'' wrote, "Intense and candid, the story underscores the risks and rewards of uncompromised activism." ''ForeWord Reviews'' calls the book "an inspirational tale, demonstrating the universal moral of standing up for one's beliefs, even if there's a steep price."

References

{{Reflist, 30em
2018 graphic novels Biographical books Horse racing novels Graphic novels set in the 2000s Graphic novels set in the United States