Mickey and the Plow Horse

By: Edward A. Dreyfus Ph.D.

Narrated by: Leonor A. Woodworth

Length: 4 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Mickey is a 12-year old, asthmatic boy who spends his time with his iPad, iPod, and tons of video games. He does not participate in the rough and tumble activities of boys his age including sports and considers himself a nerd. That does not stop his parents from sending him to camp for the summer. While there, he meets Jackson, a beaten down plow horse that seems to need Mickey's friendship as much as Mickey needs his. The moment Mickey touches Jackson, something magical happens; he discovers that he and the plow horse share a gift that will change their lives forever.

The author, a psychologist, believes that within each child lies a thoroughbred needing to be nurtured, loved, and seen. When this happens, they are transformed, as if by magic, and set free to follow their dreams and fulfill their potential. Like many people, Mickey defined himself by his handicap. Through his relationship with Jackson, and two friends he meets at camp, Samantha and Brian, he finds the courage and develops the confidence to see himself through their eyes. These relationships transform him. The book is dedicated to all people, young and old, who live their lives feeling separated from others, misfits in their own life, doing their job each day the same as the day before, seldom experiencing a sense of passion and the freedom to be fully themselves.

©2014 Edward A. Dreyfus (P)2016 Edward A. Dreyfus

Eh ... it's okay; not very attention-getting

Note: In exchange for an unbiased review, the author, publisher, and/or narrator were kind enough to provide an audio version of this book at no charge via AudiobookBoom.

Honestly, I think the brief author's note at the end was more impactful than the whole story. This wasn't very well written or attention-getting. Perhaps very young audiences - like maybe younger than 10 would find this enthralling or interesting, but it's not up to par with many young adult books I've listened to in the past. Also, I find it more than a little hard to believe that the adults at the camp would have successfully been able to enter this child in a dangerous horse race without the permission of his parents. The narrator was alright, but not really that great overall. Maybe it was just the material he was working with. :/

such a sweet heart warming book.

This book was good. Its not what I normally tend to listen to. I am more of a Horror, Thriller kind of girl. But, I love horses, and had to give it a try. I am really glad I did. it was such a sweet story. Something you can listen to your family with.
Its about a sweet little boy who is a loner, and his parents ship him off to summer camp, to hopefully let him make a few friends.
He not only makes a few friends, But he meets Jackson. the horse. they bound right away. I will not say more because I do not want to spoil it, but its very worth the listen.


I was gratefully provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review..

3.5 of 5 stars

Mickey and the Plow Horse by Edward A. Dreyfus PhD.
Narrated by Leonor A. Woodworth
Genre: children’s, middle grade camp adventure, feel good

*Spoilers possible in discussion

Summary:
Mickey doesn’t want to go to camp until he gets there. He believes his asthma holds him back from doing any kind of physical activity.

Additional Comments:
• Not sure why the author’s mentioned in the blurb. The blurb sounds like the end note on the audio.
• I get that asthma was a central hindrance to the main character here, but to say it was belabored as a point is a massive understatement.
• If you do 0 thinking about the many, many things wrong in the book, it’s a sweet, diamond-in-the-rough finds his way sort of story.
• Bullies – stereotyped.
• Friends – fine. Nice balance, one female bestie, one male bestie.
• Paranormal aspect – fine for a kids’ story.
• Story 2.5 of 5 stars: The camp itself is improbable. I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a summer camp that gives the kids that much freedom to do whatever they want whenever they want. Usually, there’s more structure.
• More improbability: I don’t think 6 weeks is enough time to go from never-rode a horse to entering a big-time race, but that’s just a gut thing.

I don’t know much about the racing world. I Googled it, of course. Arguably not the best source of information, but the general consensus is that a jockey apprenticeship takes 4-6 years to complete, and you can’t start until you’re 16. Mickey is early teens at best.

• So, the horse expert at this camp/ farm endeavor didn’t recognize Jackson as a Thoroughbred? Seems odd.
• The secrecy thing seemed dumb. Why keep that from his parents, even if they legally could? Chess, yes. Horse racing, nope. If anything bad happened, they’d get the heck sued out of them.
• End Message: Is about as subtle as a cow standing up and dancing in a tutu. Fret not, it’s in the blurb and at the end, just in case you missed it when it was shoved in your ears for the last half hour of the book.
• Message itself – You are all horses. (Translation: There are hidden talents in everybody, and they should believe in themselves and become that thoroughbred horse, not a plow horse.)
• Performance 4 of 5 stars: I’m a fan of the narrator. She tends to pick nice clean reads.

Conclusion: 3.5 of 5 Stars
If you can overlook the heavy-handed messaging, it’s a cute kid story.

I really liked it

You can figure out a major plot point of this audiobook from the cover.

I loved this book. I've always liked horses, and i'm an introverted misfit. Also, if you can accept the cover, that's the biggest thing that needs to be accepted. The characters are good. One small spoiler -- it's not a tragedy. There is also a summer camp and a state fair.

Lots of good info for horses, good life lessons. Many times, I've seen people use a minor ailment as an excuse to give up. Mickey starts out like that, but eventually does do a bit of exercise.

Highly recommended.

Very good kids book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Maybe to one that had a child who was struggling to find themselves as likeable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mickey and the Plow Horse?

I loved the Race!

Have you listened to any of Leonor A. Woodworth’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

i have not, but it was a good job

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried near the end at the race as well as laughed at the whole pig pen incident

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

A Great Moving Heart Warming Story for All Ages

Would you consider the audio edition of Mickey and the Plow Horse to be better than the print version?

I have only heard the audio version but based on that alone I am now considering buying the print or electronic version of the story as well as any other work by this author.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the whole story honestly. The best part was that when an outsider was shown love and compassion they were able to rise above what there perceived station in life was and go far beyond they limits.

Which scene was your favorite?

The race on the last day of camp.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Share special bond between a boy and and a broke down plow horse

Any additional comments?

“This audio book was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”

Mickey and the Plow Horse

“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”

Mickey and the Plow Horse by Edward A Dreyfus is a book I will be recommending for our MG library. The story is about Mickey a 12 year old asthmatic boy who lives for his technology. He has few friends and isn't able to play sports so he feels like an outsider. Life changes begin to happen when his parents send him to summer camp on a working farm.

I know several kids and adults that will enjoy the story and the hidden layers in the story.



The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Leonor A. Woodworth brought this book to life for me.

A Sweet Children's Story

A sweet tale for children about a friendless boy finding his worth and friendship at a summer camp.

The story is full of small and useful lessons about how to get on with others and believe in yourself. To my adult's ear it seemed rather unsubtle at times but of course this is a book for children not adults.

It's been written to help children understand they have worth and everyone has potential and I think that's a noble aim and I think it could work.

I'm not entirely sure what age it is aimed at but I would think perhaps around 9 to 11? Nothing very dark or gritty happens it's a fairly gentle and happy tale and useful especially for children with self-esteem issues. There is one incident of fairly mild swearing (a child says they are p*ssed off).

Please note this audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.