Who Was Seabiscuit?

Part of Who Was?

Illustrated by Gregory Copeland
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Paperback
$5.99 US
5.38"W x 7.63"H x 0.26"D  
On sale Oct 20, 2015 | 112 Pages | 9780448483092
Grades 3-7
Reading Level: Lexile 800L | Fountas & Pinnell U
In the middle of the worst depression in U.S. history, one young racehorse lifted a nation's spirits. Seabiscuit was born in 1933 on a farm in Kentucky. Though bred for racing, he was weak and undersized. He slept too long and ate too much. Against the odds, he began to win local races. He was given a new coach who trained him to race in larger circuits. Soon enough, this scrappy horse began beating the best racehorses in the country. He became a media darling and won national competitions. In 1938 he was voted U.S. Horse of the Year. Seabiscuit's undying spirit and come-from-behind story made him a celebrity and hero for millions.
James Buckley Jr. is a prolific author of nonfiction for young readers, with more than 150 books to his credit (and still typing!). He is the author of more than a dozen titles in the New York Times bestselling Who Was? biography series, including books on the Wright Brothers, Milton Hershey, Betsy Ross, Jules Verne, and Blackbeard. View titles by James Buckley, Jr.
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ

Who Was Seabiscuit?

On a foggy morning in summer 1936, horse trainer Tom Smith stood by a Boston racetrack called Suffolk Downs. He was looking for horses that his stable owner could buy. Smith watched horse after horse walk by. The horses’ riders, called jockeys, wore colorful silk shirts and bright white pants. The horses were nearly all tall, strong-looking, and elegant. They had long, straight faces and looked around proudly. Their breath came out in misty puffs in the morning air.

Smith had seen a thousand animals like them in his long career helping horses learn how to race.

About

In the middle of the worst depression in U.S. history, one young racehorse lifted a nation's spirits. Seabiscuit was born in 1933 on a farm in Kentucky. Though bred for racing, he was weak and undersized. He slept too long and ate too much. Against the odds, he began to win local races. He was given a new coach who trained him to race in larger circuits. Soon enough, this scrappy horse began beating the best racehorses in the country. He became a media darling and won national competitions. In 1938 he was voted U.S. Horse of the Year. Seabiscuit's undying spirit and come-from-behind story made him a celebrity and hero for millions.

Author

James Buckley Jr. is a prolific author of nonfiction for young readers, with more than 150 books to his credit (and still typing!). He is the author of more than a dozen titles in the New York Times bestselling Who Was? biography series, including books on the Wright Brothers, Milton Hershey, Betsy Ross, Jules Verne, and Blackbeard. View titles by James Buckley, Jr.
Who HQ is your headquarters for history. The Who HQ team is always working to provide simple and clear answers to some of our biggest questions. From Who Was George Washington? to Who Is Michelle Obama?, and What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? to Where Is the Great Barrier Reef?, we strive to give you all the facts. Visit us at WhoHQ.com View titles by Who HQ

Excerpt

Who Was Seabiscuit?

On a foggy morning in summer 1936, horse trainer Tom Smith stood by a Boston racetrack called Suffolk Downs. He was looking for horses that his stable owner could buy. Smith watched horse after horse walk by. The horses’ riders, called jockeys, wore colorful silk shirts and bright white pants. The horses were nearly all tall, strong-looking, and elegant. They had long, straight faces and looked around proudly. Their breath came out in misty puffs in the morning air.

Smith had seen a thousand animals like them in his long career helping horses learn how to race.