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Born to Trot
Gibson can hear the beat of the horses' hooves against the track. Trotters are the world to him.
But all he ever does is practice. He's still too young and inexperienced to drive in a real race. Only he knows he's ready for the big league. If people would give him a chance, then they would know it, too.
Gib's chance comes in a filly named Rosalind. Now Gib can prove that he's man enough to train a champion. But does he really have what it takes? Can he and Rosalind go all the way to win the Hambletonian, the greatest race of all?
But all he ever does is practice. He's still too young and inexperienced to drive in a real race. Only he knows he's ready for the big league. If people would give him a chance, then they would know it, too.
Gib's chance comes in a filly named Rosalind. Now Gib can prove that he's man enough to train a champion. But does he really have what it takes? Can he and Rosalind go all the way to win the Hambletonian, the greatest race of all?
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1950
24 people are currently reading
1827 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Henry
150 books741 followersMarguerite Henry (April 13, 1902-November 26, 1997) was an American writer. The author of fifty-nine books based on true stories of horses and other animals, her work has captivated entire generations of children and young adults and won several Newbery Awards and Honors. Among the more famous of her works was Misty of Chincoteague, which was the basis for the 1961 movie Misty, and several sequel books.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterwards, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, “Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX.”
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite’s stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
"It is exciting to me that no matter how much machinery replaces the horse, the work it can do is still measured in horsepower ... even in the new age. And although a riding horse often weighs half a ton and a big drafter a full ton, either can be led about by a piece of string if he has been wisely trained. This to me is a constant source of wonder and challenge." This quote was from an article about Henry published in the Washington Post on November 28, 1997, in response to a query about her drive to write about horses.
Marguerite Henry inspired children all over the world with her love of animals, especially horses. Author of over fifty children's stories, including the Misty of Chincoteague series, Henry's love of animals started during her childhood. Unfortunately, Henry was stricken with a rheumatic fever at the age of six, which kept her bedridden until the age of twelve. Born to Louis and Anna Breithaupt, the youngest of the five children, Henry was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because of her illness, Henry wasn't allowed to go to school with other children because of her weak state and the fear of spreading the illness to others. While she was confined indoors, she discovered the joy of reading. Soon afterwards, she also discovered a love for writing when her father, a publisher, presented her with a writing desk for Christmas. On the top of stacks of colored paper her father wrote, “Dear Last of the Mohicans: Not a penny for your thoughts, but a tablet. Merry Christmas! Pappa Louis XXXX.”
Henry's first published work came at the age of eleven, a short story about a collie and a group of children, which she sold to a magazine for $12. Henry always wrote about animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and even mules, but chiefly her stories focused on horses.
In 1923, she married Sidney Crocker Henry. During their sixty-four years of marriage they didn't have children, but instead had many pets that inspired some of Marguerite’s stories. They lived in Wayne, Illinois.
In 1947, she published Misty of Chincoteague and it was an instant success. Later, this book—as well as Justin Morgan had a Horse and Brighty of the Grand Canyon—were made into movies.
She finished her last book, Brown Sunshine of Sawdust Valley, just before her death on November 26, 1997 at the age of 95.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 1, 2022
I have to confess something. I was not expecting to read this book until my next Horse Book Fit. I plan to read a corral of horse books again probably in December, and this was one of the new titles that would have been part of that little project.
But a book I ordered that supposedly was to arrive a couple of days ago didn't show up (it's out for delivery today ~~ yay!) left me needing something short and sweet to read. So here we are!
I don't remember this book from my distant youth, so if I ever read it, I had completely forgotten the story of Gibson White, his dad Benjamin Franklin White, and their trotting horse Rosalind. All three are real life historical characters, by the way!
Ms. Henry not only tells us Gibson's story, she weaves in a story about the great trotting horse Rysdyk's Hambletonian too, in the form of a book Gibson is reading while he has to be in a hospital for what the reader might or might not recognize as tuberculosis, which was still a major threat in White's day. In real life the youngster was dangerously ill and it was the filly Rosalind that gave him the will to live. This is also reflected in the book, of course, but the reader is never really aware of just how seriously ill Gibson truly was. His disease is never named, and we can only keep track of how much time is passing in hospital by following Rosalind's training in the letters Dad sends to Gib.
The book within a book, about Hambletonian, was just as interesting as the main story, and at times I was as impatient to get back to those pages as Gibson was. His doctor had given him the book, you see, but he was not always able to read it as much as he wanted. He had to do homework and rest rest rest.
This was another book that lived up to MH's reputation as a grand teller of tales that combine truth with imagination and sweep the reader into a unique world. I'm glad I finally read it.
And now, I hear the mailman outside so I will go fetch my next book!
But a book I ordered that supposedly was to arrive a couple of days ago didn't show up (it's out for delivery today ~~ yay!) left me needing something short and sweet to read. So here we are!
I don't remember this book from my distant youth, so if I ever read it, I had completely forgotten the story of Gibson White, his dad Benjamin Franklin White, and their trotting horse Rosalind. All three are real life historical characters, by the way!
Ms. Henry not only tells us Gibson's story, she weaves in a story about the great trotting horse Rysdyk's Hambletonian too, in the form of a book Gibson is reading while he has to be in a hospital for what the reader might or might not recognize as tuberculosis, which was still a major threat in White's day. In real life the youngster was dangerously ill and it was the filly Rosalind that gave him the will to live. This is also reflected in the book, of course, but the reader is never really aware of just how seriously ill Gibson truly was. His disease is never named, and we can only keep track of how much time is passing in hospital by following Rosalind's training in the letters Dad sends to Gib.
The book within a book, about Hambletonian, was just as interesting as the main story, and at times I was as impatient to get back to those pages as Gibson was. His doctor had given him the book, you see, but he was not always able to read it as much as he wanted. He had to do homework and rest rest rest.
This was another book that lived up to MH's reputation as a grand teller of tales that combine truth with imagination and sweep the reader into a unique world. I'm glad I finally read it.
And now, I hear the mailman outside so I will go fetch my next book!
January 29, 2018
At the height of my Marguerite Henry phase, this was one of my favorites. I was fascinated by the way they trained trotters, and the different equipment they used. Read this about the same time as I discovered the Black Stallion book (Black Stallion's Flame? Bonfire?) where one of his colts becomes a trotter and Alec and Henry try to train him.
January 25, 2022
”The boy is like you, Ben. Like you and Tom Berry and all the others. There are only five letters in his alphabet. And they spell h-o-r-s-e.”
And to think I forgot this existed. This is my favorite thing Marguerite Henry has ever written. It is better than King of the Wind. It is even better than Misty of Chincoteague. It is fabulous.
This is somehow both absolutely timeless - in that enchanted way a perfect day with green grass and sunshine and a classic sporting event can be - and so specifically of its time. To start: this is the (true!) story of young Gibson White, desperate to prove himself in his dad’s business of horse training, who finds himself forced to give up his dreams for a year, just as he’s about to achieve them:
How could I not love this book?
Dr. Mills sends Gib a book to read, while he’s in the hospital resting up. It’s the story of one of the most famous American trotters, a horse named Hambletonian, and the immigrant who trained him. I think this is the first story-within-a-story I ever read. And it’s touching and simple and lovely, much like this entire book. It is not given to horses to write wills, it ends. But there are some who say Hambletonian’s descendants are his testament. And some say Hambletonian wrote his will in music - American music, the tap-tap, tap-tap ringing of hoofbeats.
Gib’s conflict isn’t to get well; it’s to grow up. Rosalind is being trained to race, by his father, while Gib is recovering. Being trained to race, ultimately, in the race named after that famous horse: the Hambletonian. Right before Gib is released, his dad comes to visit to show him the racing silks he plans to wear when he races Rosalind. This is right after Dr. Mills tells Gibson he’s well enough to race his horse himself. Gib doesn’t say anything because he doesn’t want to disappoint his dad - his dad is smart enough to pry it out of the other boys in the room - and then he asks his dad to race her anyway, in one of the most spectacular quiet paragraphs ever written.
This is really beautiful, mature stuff. The horse racing is important - but it’s never as important as family.
This is a book about a great kid with a great filly - and a great dad. It should be more famous. It should be more widely read. It is absolutely wonderful.
And to think I forgot this existed. This is my favorite thing Marguerite Henry has ever written. It is better than King of the Wind. It is even better than Misty of Chincoteague. It is fabulous.
This is somehow both absolutely timeless - in that enchanted way a perfect day with green grass and sunshine and a classic sporting event can be - and so specifically of its time. To start: this is the (true!) story of young Gibson White, desperate to prove himself in his dad’s business of horse training, who finds himself forced to give up his dreams for a year, just as he’s about to achieve them:
The questions rained on. “Gib, what do you do when a horse has been over-trained?”Maybe there’s something Henry isn’t saying, or maybe, in the 1930s, the cure for being run down really was complete bed rest for as long as needed - in Gib’s case, an entire year. At first they try to keep all the horse news quiet, afraid it will make him upset. They change tacks pretty quickly when they realize that’s backfiring, and Gib, from his hospital bed, becomes the owner of Alma Lee’s new filly. He names her Rosalind because - per his father and trainer Benjamin Franklin White - height-wise she’s about as high as Gib’s heart.
“We let up on him. Rest him a while.”
“And if a horse has a cough and is off his feed?”
Gibson sat back in his chair. Fear spread suddenly over his face. “You’re baiting a trap for me,” he said with a hurt look, “and I’m...” his voice broke off, “I’m walking right into it.”
How could I not love this book?
Dr. Mills sends Gib a book to read, while he’s in the hospital resting up. It’s the story of one of the most famous American trotters, a horse named Hambletonian, and the immigrant who trained him. I think this is the first story-within-a-story I ever read. And it’s touching and simple and lovely, much like this entire book. It is not given to horses to write wills, it ends. But there are some who say Hambletonian’s descendants are his testament. And some say Hambletonian wrote his will in music - American music, the tap-tap, tap-tap ringing of hoofbeats.
Gib’s conflict isn’t to get well; it’s to grow up. Rosalind is being trained to race, by his father, while Gib is recovering. Being trained to race, ultimately, in the race named after that famous horse: the Hambletonian. Right before Gib is released, his dad comes to visit to show him the racing silks he plans to wear when he races Rosalind. This is right after Dr. Mills tells Gibson he’s well enough to race his horse himself. Gib doesn’t say anything because he doesn’t want to disappoint his dad - his dad is smart enough to pry it out of the other boys in the room - and then he asks his dad to race her anyway, in one of the most spectacular quiet paragraphs ever written.
This is really beautiful, mature stuff. The horse racing is important - but it’s never as important as family.
The plane was circling the track, going up, stalling, coming back down, motors roaring. He imagined he could hear Dr. Mills encouraging the pilot, “Go ahead. Do a loop. I don’t care if my heart falls out.”And that’s how I feel, too, reading this.
This is a book about a great kid with a great filly - and a great dad. It should be more famous. It should be more widely read. It is absolutely wonderful.
January 3, 2017
I loved this story! It's the true tale of Gibson White, Ben White, and Rosalind the horse, along with a bonus story (story within a story, chapter by chapter as Gib reads it) of Hambletonian, the great horse who was Rosalind's ancestor. It's been a long time since I read a Marguerite Henry book, but when I found this classic edition in mint condition at the used bookstore, I had to have it. Dust jacket and all for only $8. Now that's a bargain, especially when the story keeps me up at night before a work morning!
Here's the link to the Hambletonian Society page, but it does have spoilers!
http://www.hambletonian.org/archives_...
Here's the link to the Hambletonian Society page, but it does have spoilers!
http://www.hambletonian.org/archives_...
August 18, 2022
Another winner by Henry. I think I read these for the 'trivia' like the comparison of pacers to trotters. And for the amazing art by Wesley Dennis. I never knew any horses nor was motivated to seek them out.
Anyway, from my current perspective this is one of best. Not King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian but nothing can approach that, with its beginning during Ramadan, and the mute groom, and the adventures. But this, with its story-within-a-story helping the reader to understand lineages, comes to the level of my second favorite, Justin Morgan Had a Horse. Funny, though... I remember not liking the strategy of the nested story when I was a girl.
Btw, as best as I can tell, the hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium. Normally a boy could do all that Gibson wanted to do, but he was ill, as were so many other young people in those times. (Including, for example, Robert Louis Stevenson). Gibson White died of a heart attack at the age of 57, I suspect because he was weakened by his bad illness. Know that TB is still a major threat in the world, too. It can usually be treated today, if caught early in a rich country, but it still kills far too many people every year.
So, yeah, I recommend this to fans of horse stories, fans of historical fiction, and many of the rest of you, too.
Anyway, from my current perspective this is one of best. Not King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian but nothing can approach that, with its beginning during Ramadan, and the mute groom, and the adventures. But this, with its story-within-a-story helping the reader to understand lineages, comes to the level of my second favorite, Justin Morgan Had a Horse. Funny, though... I remember not liking the strategy of the nested story when I was a girl.
Btw, as best as I can tell, the hospital was a tuberculosis sanatorium. Normally a boy could do all that Gibson wanted to do, but he was ill, as were so many other young people in those times. (Including, for example, Robert Louis Stevenson). Gibson White died of a heart attack at the age of 57, I suspect because he was weakened by his bad illness. Know that TB is still a major threat in the world, too. It can usually be treated today, if caught early in a rich country, but it still kills far too many people every year.
So, yeah, I recommend this to fans of horse stories, fans of historical fiction, and many of the rest of you, too.
July 14, 2008
A donation to the Friends of the Library bookstore, I nabbed it first. Classic Marguerite Henry -- lots of interesting horse lore and great horse illustrations, with a fairly weak story tying it all together. I would have liked to spend more of the book at the harness races, and less at a sanitarium with our young hero Gibson White, who is ailing with some mysterious illness that we never get to hear about (maybe TB?). A true story with an exciting ending.
July 7, 2022
Read with the 10YO at bedtime. This book was my FAVORITE when I was in 3rd or 4th grade...I can still see in my mind's eye the library at my little elementary school, and the book on the shelf: on the far wall, a little right of center, second shelf from the top. But I don't think when I was reading this myself, in the late 1970s before Google was a thing, that I ever realized that Gib and Ben White were actual people who lived, and Rosalind was a horse who existed. Knowing that makes it even better.
The book is a story-within-a-story. Gib ends up in the hospital for like four years (for tuberculosis, although that's not told in the book, only that he has a cough and has lost too much weight) and while at first they try to keep his mind off horses, it doesn't work and he's not recovering, so his dad gifts him a new foal and his doctor gives him a book, "One Man's Horse," about Rysdyk's Hambletonian, the father of the American Standardbred (also a real horse who existed). Gib reads the book to himself and to us. To the reader, the text of the book is different so you can tell. To the read-to, it's a little harder, although my son only lost the thread of the story once.
Anyway, the 10YO really enjoyed the book, even though he's not a horsey kid, so I think I will look at the library for King Of The Wind soon.
The book is a story-within-a-story. Gib ends up in the hospital for like four years (for tuberculosis, although that's not told in the book, only that he has a cough and has lost too much weight) and while at first they try to keep his mind off horses, it doesn't work and he's not recovering, so his dad gifts him a new foal and his doctor gives him a book, "One Man's Horse," about Rysdyk's Hambletonian, the father of the American Standardbred (also a real horse who existed). Gib reads the book to himself and to us. To the reader, the text of the book is different so you can tell. To the read-to, it's a little harder, although my son only lost the thread of the story once.
Anyway, the 10YO really enjoyed the book, even though he's not a horsey kid, so I think I will look at the library for King Of The Wind soon.
March 23, 2024
Mid three stars. I started this book last year sometime, stopped reading it because I was bored, and finished it today because I got a burst of motivation.
I quite liked the ending, and I always appreciate Henry giving epilogues to her stories. Honestly though, I can’t really review this book because I don’t really remember or care about the first half. I do remember being pretty bored, but that’s about it.
I am going to read a few more of her books because I have them, but we’ll see how long that takes.
I quite liked the ending, and I always appreciate Henry giving epilogues to her stories. Honestly though, I can’t really review this book because I don’t really remember or care about the first half. I do remember being pretty bored, but that’s about it.
I am going to read a few more of her books because I have them, but we’ll see how long that takes.
October 7, 2011
This book is a story-within-a-story, and the framing story only allows us to meet Rosalind, the supposed main equine character, secondhand until very near to the end, and then it's...disappointing. Or at least it was to me.
The framing story's faults aside, the inner story, the story of Hambletonian, was very entertaining even if most of it probably wasn't true. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and was actually impatient with the framing story at times because I wanted to read the main story itself, and not be interrupted.
All in all, a good book, if not the best Henry ever wrote. Worth your time, especially if you're horse-crazy.
The framing story's faults aside, the inner story, the story of Hambletonian, was very entertaining even if most of it probably wasn't true. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and was actually impatient with the framing story at times because I wanted to read the main story itself, and not be interrupted.
All in all, a good book, if not the best Henry ever wrote. Worth your time, especially if you're horse-crazy.
September 9, 2013
Gibson White wants to drive horses. Not a pony. And not as an exercise boy. He wants to race. Trotters.
Finally the day comes when he gets his chance. And even though a rein breaks in his first real race, Gib proves himself. Earning another shot. If he can just get over a pesky cough.
Then the doctor announces that Gib’s cough is more than just a cold. That the only cure is a long serious rest up in the mountains.
But without horses, will Gib ever have the strength to heal?
Born to Trot by Marguerite Henry is actually two stories. First the tale of Gibson White, owner of the world-champion trotting horse Rosalind. Then within that story is the tale of the even more legendary horse, Hambletonian. I liked the realistic aspects of both stories. And, of course, Gib’s passion for horses.
Finally the day comes when he gets his chance. And even though a rein breaks in his first real race, Gib proves himself. Earning another shot. If he can just get over a pesky cough.
Then the doctor announces that Gib’s cough is more than just a cold. That the only cure is a long serious rest up in the mountains.
But without horses, will Gib ever have the strength to heal?
Born to Trot by Marguerite Henry is actually two stories. First the tale of Gibson White, owner of the world-champion trotting horse Rosalind. Then within that story is the tale of the even more legendary horse, Hambletonian. I liked the realistic aspects of both stories. And, of course, Gib’s passion for horses.
March 4, 2016
Born to Trot is the story of one great horse in the history of harness racing, and her truly special owner and trainer. Father and son team Ben and Gibson White, trainer and owner of speedster Rosalind respectively, work tirelessly to give this horse her best chance at greatness. They do it in the face of great adversity, namely Gibson's nameless disease that has him hospitalized for years (according to my research, it was TB). In the vein of Arabian Nights, there is a story within a story - Gibson whiles away his time learning about the foundation of harness racing in the story of Rysdyk's Hambletonian. The switch between stories and characters is done seamlessly, and Henry shows a great aptitude for weaving disparate stories together into a cohesive bundle that steals your heart.
August 15, 2022
This is an old book, first published in 1950. I got it for my birthday last year due to watching the Hambletonian on tv.
This book has not lost any of its punch. The young man sidelined by illness, the parents and doctor frantic to find a way to interest him in life and living. The illustrations throughout the book are charming. Yes, this book is meant for young teenagers. I am finding it thrilling even at 67 years of age!
This book has not lost any of its punch. The young man sidelined by illness, the parents and doctor frantic to find a way to interest him in life and living. The illustrations throughout the book are charming. Yes, this book is meant for young teenagers. I am finding it thrilling even at 67 years of age!
July 23, 2016
The story of the horse isn't what caught my attention; I was intrigued by the boy, Gibson. His illness and the way it was treated (total bed rest for ages) is so very different from how we manage most sickness in this day and age.
August 12, 2016
Marguerite Henry does a great job of weaving facts about horses and horse racing into a tale kids enjoy. I owe everything I know about harness racing to this book.
March 23, 2024
I think this is probably my favorite book by Mrs. Henry!
Read
December 17, 2012loved it
June 27, 2020
Illustrated with the wonderful drawings of Wesley Dennis, this is the story of Gibson White who grows up around the race track and longs to race trotter horses. He is given a pony to raise, but is struck down by tuberculosis. While he recovers in a TB, Gibson receives encouraging notes from his father about the progress of the young mare he names Rosalind. As Gibson's heath improves the horse is on track for the Hambletonian, the championship of harness racing. Will he be well enough to drive his mare? Can the mare beat a worthy compitor. Just a fantastic young adult book written in 1950 that has held up very well against the test of time.
September 22, 2020
Probably 3.5 stars. There was a story within the story- a character was reading a book and it’s text was included. It made it more interesting. I like learning how some of these horse breeds came about, and of a uniquely American trotting race. Had no clue. The story told in this one was how a Dutchman started the trotting breed. His speaking structure was a little turned around, and I think that made it harder for Hope to grasp easily. The dialogue was also a bit dated, so that made it also a bit harder for her to follow.
May 18, 2019
It is Marguerite Henry on horses. There isn't much to say beyond that as she is the classic children's writer against which all other horse tales are written. This story is enters the historic as well with the prologue of facts into fiction. A must read for every child of in love with the noblest of animals.
August 29, 2020
Read this aloud with my boy and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. The slow pacing and story within a story made for a good read aloud to work through this summer. We loved how the stories came together in the end and I particularly appreciated the relationship between the father and son.
April 30, 2021
The story of Hambletonian, the foundation trotting horse, and of Gibson White and his champion trotting mare Rosalind. The story goes back and forth in time as a young hospitalized Gibson reads a book about Hambletonian.
May 31, 2017
One of my boyhood delights. I read it repeatedly. :)
July 9, 2017
Very good. at the beginning of him ready the book I was board with it but as I read on it got better. If you like horses then you should definitely recommend reading this book.
September 25, 2017
Good story..more like two stories in one..
November 13, 2017
These were some of my favorite books when I was a kid...
December 22, 2018
this story of the trotter horses is amazing anouther brelinte book by a brellinte arther marguerite henry
December 27, 2018
Good book but still love Misty , Stormy, King of the Wind, & Sea Star better. Those are my favorites, but this one is still good.
April 12, 2020
Do you ever read a book by a childhood favorite author and realize that this was formative to your writing style? Because that happened.
December 1, 2020
I found this book somewhat frustrating.
April 21, 2022
Beautifully told as always by Marguerite Henry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews