Book Review: Bea and the New Deal Horse by L. M. Elliott

Publisher’s description

This lyrical middle grade historical novel set during the Great Depression from award-winning author L. M. Elliott is a moving tale of the spirit of American persistence, found family, and the magical partnership between girl and horse.

Bea wakes to Daddy’s note in a hayloft, where he abandoned her with her little sister after the stock market crash took everything: Daddy’s job at the bank, their home, Mama’s health and life.

How is Bea supposed to convince the imposing Mrs. Scott to take in two stray children? Mrs. Scott’s money and Virginia farm are drying up in a drought and the Great Depression, too. She might have to sell her beautiful horses, starting with a dangerous chestnut that has caused tragedy in the past and injures her stableman shortly after Bea arrives.

But wrestling with her own hurts and fears, Bea understands the chestnut’s skittish distrust. She sees hope in the powerful jumper—if he can compete at horse shows, they might save the farm, and maybe Bea can even win a place in Mrs. Scott’s heart.

Amanda’s thoughts

First, did you read this author’s previous book, Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves? If you missed it, and you’re going to hop into an account right now to order this book for your library, school, or self, do yourself a favor and read that one, too. Elliott is quickly becoming one of my favorite middle grade authors. I’ve had this book set aside for weeks and weeks, just waiting for summer so I could have time to read it. Do I feel a little guilty that I’m home and fancy free all summer while both my husband and teenager work? Yes. But I’m getting so much reading done!

Elliott excels at creating memorable characters in unique settings. Here we meet children Bea and Vivian, left by their father in the barn of a very distance acquaintance as he has no way to care for them thanks to the fallout from the Depression. Luckily, the girls are taken in, somewhat hesitantly and not necessarily forever, by Mrs. Scott, who owns the farm. Now, listen. I’m rewatching Designing Women for the millionth time. If you haven’t watched it, or only remember it in bits and pieces from your childhood (as I did, back before my endless loops of it, as my mother was a fan of the show when it was on), do yourself a favor and check it out. So because of this being my go-to show to keep me company, I had the voice of Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter) in my head while I read Mrs. Scott, and I think it was a perfect match. Mrs. Scott is very proper, but very fiery and not afraid to speak her mind, make bold moves, and stand up against those around her that doesn’t agree with. I just loved her. And combined with self-sufficient Bea, who is determined to forge a connection with the allegedly mean horse that Mrs. Scott sees as the downfall of basically her entire life, you’ve got quite the duo. The story is rounded out with vibrant secondary characters and such a well-rendered sense of place and time that readers will absolutely be drawn in to 1930s Virginia and cheer for Bea and Sunup, the New Deal Horse.

A fantastic and engrossing read about resilience, found family, and hope even in the darkest of circumstances. Elliott is a must-read author.

Review copy courtesy of the author

ISBN-13: 9780063219007
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 03/28/2023
Age Range: 10 – 12 Years

Filed under: Book Reviews