Danny and Life On Bluff Point: My Horse Sally

Mary Ellen Lee
iUniverse, Inc (2005)
ISBN 9780595360840
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/06)

Mary Ellen Lee proudly shares the past with us in the latest installment of “Danny and Life on Bluff Point, My Horse Sally”. These novels are loosely based on her grandfather’s journals. Danny and his siblings represent her father and his siblings. The reader should prepare to learn and be entertained as Ms Lee transports her readers back to life on the farm in the late 1800’s. Danny is taking steps into manhood in “My Horse Sally”. Sally is Danny’s horse. He hasn’t own her long and is beginning to wonder if she will ever respond to him. He begins to look at her differently after discussing her with Uncle Jerome.

Danny’s latest adventure included: His first business transaction. His first long ride on Sally is to see Mr. Ehule at Keuka College. The trip is about 12 miles. He successfully bargains with Mr. Ehule to purchase supplies from Ma. Danny wants his Pa to be proud of him and he tries very hard to please him. Work in the vineyards is muddy, cold and weary labor. For the first time Pa asks Danny to drive Kit and rake the brush. This is another opportunity to prove that Danny is growing up. Launching a steamboat is a great adventure and has Danny leaping with excitement. Plus someone may be purchasing Grandpa Scott’s property.

This book is about a simpler time. A time when families ate meals together, worked together and loved together. We’ve forgotten what that is like in this world of hurry here and hurry there. Rarely do families take time to enjoy the simple pleasure of living. These books give me a sense of warmth. Boys will enjoy these novels. It seems that most literature geared toward boys is sports related. This book will give them a sense of history and entertainment at the same time. But I wouldn’t limit these to children. After telling my farmer husband about them. He was intrigued enough to also want to share in history that is revealed through Ms. Lee’s writing.

Well done Ms. Lee.

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