King of the Wind

King of the Wind follows a mute horseboy named Agba and an Arabian colt named Sham in 18th century Morocco. The Sultan sends them on a journey from North Africa to France as part of a gift of horses to King Louis XV. Their path takes them through France and England, where they face rejection and mistreatment. The bond between Agba and Sham remains constant as they move between different owners and situations, from royal stables to common workplaces. A network of characters shapes their journey, including a determined housekeeper, a Quaker man, an Earl, and Grimalkin the cat. The story traces their experiences in European society and the horse-racing world of the time. The novel explores themes of loyalty and perseverance, set against the backdrop of historical events that shaped modern horse breeding. It presents a view of how cultural misunderstandings and prejudices affected both human and animal lives in the 1700s.

Readers call the book engaging and fast-paced, with detailed historical elements that bring 1700s Morocco and England to life. Many note it teaches horse care and racing history while telling an adventure story. Likes: - Rich descriptions of places and customs - Strong emotional connection to the characters - Educational without feeling didactic - Illustrations by Wesley Dennis - Appeals to both children and adults Dislikes: - Some find the pacing slow in the middle sections - Several readers mention the treatment of animals is upsetting - A few note historical inaccuracies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (23,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (700+ ratings) Common reader comments: "The bond between boy and horse kept me invested" - Goodreads "Details transport you to another time and place" - Amazon "Made me cry but in a good way" - Goodreads "Some scenes too intense for sensitive children" - Amazon

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🏆 Marguerite Henry won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1949 for this book, adding it to her collection of nearly 60 published works focused on horses. 🐎 The Godolphin Arabian, the novel's central horse character, is one of only three stallions whose bloodlines can be found in every modern thoroughbred racehorse. ✍️ Wesley Dennis, the book's illustrator, collaborated with Henry on multiple projects, and his distinctive artwork helped bring her horse stories to life for generations of readers. 🌍 The real Godolphin Arabian was originally a gift to King Louis XV of France but was later sold as a cart horse in Paris before being discovered by the Earl of Godolphin. 👑 The book's title "King of the Wind" refers to both the horse's noble Arabian heritage and his exceptional speed, which he passed down to his descendants who dominated English horse racing.