Bea and the New Deal Horse

In a richly characterized novel set against a precisely drawn Great Depression backdrop, a resourceful 13-year-old enters horse competitions to stave off bankruptcy at her adopted home. Awakening in the hayloft of a once-grand Virginia horse farm, Beatrice Davis is horrified to discover that her father has abandoned her and her eight-year-old sister, Vivian, "like unwanted kittens." Claiming that he cannot care for them, the former banker leaves a note suggesting that they appeal to the farm's owner, Mrs. Scott, whose daughter knew the girls' late mother. Horse-loving Bea soon saves a feisty chestnut with colic, forging a unique connection with the horse and alerting Mrs. Scott to their presence. The formidable woman, once a renowned horse trainer, is loath to take on additional dependents, but she keeps the sisters on to work after an accident incapacitates her only stable hand. As Bea endeavors to become indispensable and learns more about the rural community's Depression-era plight, she trains to compete with the difficult horse. Elliott (Louisa June and the Nazis in the Waves) nimbly layers historical events--including the devastating effects of the stock market crash and FDR's promise of a "New Deal"--and equine details into an engrossing novel for fans of The War That Saved My Life. Protagonists read as white; a secondary character cues as Black. Ages 10-up. Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. (Mar.)

Gr 3-7--This fits snugly within the canon of plucky girls overcoming massive trials. Written in the vein of A Little Princess or Anne of Green Gables, this title sets the titular Beatrice in the depths of America's Great Depression. Bea's father abandons her and her younger sister Vivian on the farm of a distant and rather prickly acquaintance, Mrs. Scott. Although she's hesitant about the two foundlings, Mrs. Scott soon finds a use for them on her floundering farm. Once Bea, who is white, reveals her innate horse training sense, there's hope and great risk on the horizon as the women try to save the farm through taming a traumatized horse. Bea's journey is gorgeously told through refined but accessible writing. The conflicts are heartbreaking without a heavy hand. The scenes of horse jumping are equally exhilarating and exhausting, enough to make any horse skeptic a full-on fan. With a dash of social issues through veterans, racism, and the Hoover/FDR presidential race, Elliott's novel is as informative as it is entertaining. VERDICT A gorgeous, almost bygone-era tale of overcoming adversity, full of wisdom for all. Upper elementary students, high schoolers, and beyond can learn resilience and wisdom from these characters.--Cat McCarrey

PRAISE FOR LOUISA JUNE AND THE NAZIS IN THE WAVES:

"Evocatively threaded with the scents and sounds of Tidewater Virginia coastal communities, this story presents a fascinating, lesser-known aspect of the war told from a young girl's perspective. Successfully tackling the devastation of depression on family relationships, the bitter cost of war, and the uplifting strength of no-nonsense friendship, this story has impressive depth. Superb." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"An infrequently explored aspect of WWII history—German submarines torpedoing U.S. cargo ships along America's East Coast—underpins Elliott's (Walls) well-crafted novel. Evocative descriptions of the region's natural life ground this realistic depiction of one family's efforts to withstand depression and personal tragedy during wartime." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

PRAISE FOR STORM DOG:

"An entertaining tale of angst, good dogs, and satisfying achievement." — Kirkus Reviews

PRAISE FOR HAMILTON & PEGGY:

"Elliott combines a flair for fiction with masterly research...the 'stubborn, defiant, willful' Peggy will win their hearts as she forges on to take her place alongside her older sisters." — Publishers Weekly

"Elliott has written an engaging novel...[and] successfully navigates the challenge of maintaining historical accuracy while upholding the personalities popularized by the musical. [Peggy] is showcased as a strong protagonist who is confident in the best possible ways. Her memorable story will keep readers interested from start to finish." — Booklist

"Set during the American Revolution, the tale offers the adventure of war, the family dynamic of sisterhood, and the drama of young love. While Elliott was inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton, her story is based on independent research, and her afterword is as readable as the novel itself." — Kirkus Reviews