Have you met Snowman, the Cinderella Horse? If you missed this title by Elizabeth Letts in Adult Nonfiction the first time around, here is another chance to get to know this beloved figure in the equestrian world. Henry de Leyer was a post WWII immigrant to the US and survivor of the German occupation of Holland. He and his wife Joanna became Snowman's owners for the sum of $80, rescuing him from the dog food factory. Their children gave the new horse his name and the bond between horse and family was forged. I am a soft touch for a good horse story and was so charmed by the original, Adult release of this story that I jumped (pun intended) at the chance to preview the Children's version. Includes photos of Snowman and family as well as interviews with Henry de Leyer and Elizabeth Letts. Don't miss out on this marvelous piece of American history.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

The Eighty-Dollar Champion is the heartwarming story of Harry de Leyer and his horse, Snowman. Snowman came into Harry's life on a cold winter afternoon. Harry, a Dutch immigrant, was a riding instructor at the Knox School on Long Island, NY. He needed a special horse to teach his students how to ride. The weather was miserable the day of the auction, and by the time he arrived, the sale was over. The remaining horses were being loaded onto a truck for the trip to the slaughterhouse. Harry de Leyer looked over the horses and saw the mount he needed. The horse was in poor physical condition, but he was gentle and intelligent. Harry took the money from his wallet and purchased Snowman on the spot.

It wasn't long before Harry realized that Snowman might be more than he seemed. Money was always tight, so he decided to sell Snowman to a nearby farm. Within a few days, Snowman was back, dragging a piece of fence along with him. He had escaped from his enclosure. After other similar incidents, Harry de Leyer realized that he had a jumper and he bought Snowman back from the farmer.

Harry de Leyer and his family grew to love Snowman, who showed a special talent for show jumping. This book describes their journey into the fascinating world of professional horse competitions, but it truly shines in its depiction of the loving relationship between man and horse. This book will appeal to a wide range of students with many interests and would be an excellent read-aloud, as there is no objectionable content in the story. The Eighty-Dollar Champion is a winner and is a recommended purchase for public and school libraries.

An uplifting book about a horse destined for the glue factory, that gets bought at the last minute for $80, and goes on to become a jumping champion. A book that is sure to be enjoyed by your upper elementary horse loving readers.
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I was originally very excited about this book. I'm always looking for nonfiction to add to my library. The cover and the description made me interested. However. I thought this was just an okay read. It took a little bit to get into and I felt that it was lengthy for the intended age group. This would not be a frequently checked out book in my library.