Yes, there are elements of the predictable in the Black Stallion series. Yes, this is one book that isn't all about adventure, being stranded on an island, wandering the desert, or surviving another plane or boat disaster. But this is a book by Walter Farley and I am certain that those who love horses, those who love the track, will enjoy this book from cover to cover. Farley writes racing like no one else can, making you believe you are living the book yourself. In this installment, where the Black meets his rival Flame on the track, readers get to see almost every aspect of life behind the scenes of racing. There is a a surgery, there are workouts, there is time in the jockey's room, and, of course, there are the races themselves. Never before have I put down a book feeling as if I have just spent the day in front of the television, watching the day's racing and news reports. For those who love the sport will be a very wonderful and welcome experience to become lost in time with these two beautiful horses at historical Hialeah Park.
The Black Stallion Challenged! is really not a good book, not if you've read any of the Island Stallion sub-series. In those books, Steve is a good, nice kid who loves his horse, just like Alec. But suddenly, when the two meet up, Steve becomes a snotty, arrogant jerk with anger problems. Just like in The Black Stallion's Sulky Colt, any time Alec meets up with another boy who loves a horse, he becomes a saint. This is not an enjoyable thing to read.Also, Farley doesn't really clear up the issue
Do You like book The Black Stallion Challenged (1980)?
The main characters are Steve Duncan and Alec Ramsay. Steve Duncan has blonde hair and rides a red horse named Flame. Alec Ramsay rides a horse named the Black. This book takes place at Hialeah, Fla. The problem in this book is a guy named Steve Duncan writes a letter to Alec about his horse, Flame, and how he needs "help" to buy an island for his horse. He also puts in the letter that he thinks his horse is faster than the black. In the end Steve brings Flame to Hialeah and they end up racing together in the Widener Cup. In the race it is very difficult for Steve and Flame to get in the lead but in the end they end up racing in the backstretch together and the Black won by the thinnest fraction of a nose. In my opinion I think the book was perfect. i don't have any issue with the book. I would very highly recommend this book to you. It has a lot of excitement, wonder, and curiosity in it. This book is awesome!
—Kensie Linton
