Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio

Written by Marguerite Henry · Illustrated by Lynd Ward

A young dreamer trains a distrustful workhorse for a famous medieval horse race.

4.3 Goodreads · 437 ratings

304 pages· 55,363 words· Est. 7.5 hour read· 820L· AR 5.7 · 9 AR pts

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Bookroo's summary

In Siena, Italy, the Palio horse race has been run since medieval times. Young Giorgio Terni dreams of training a horse to ride in it. He forms a bond with Gaudenzia, a mare everyone else dismisses as a mere workhorse, and sets out to teach her to trust people again and to prepare her for the race of her life. Marguerite Henry's story keeps Lynd Ward's original illustrations.

From the publisher

An idealistic young man trains a workhorse to race in this triumphant story from Newbery Award-winning author Marguerite Henry, back in print by popular demand. The Palio horse race is held in Siena, Italy, each year and dates back to medieval times. Giorgio Terni is an idealistic young man who dreams of becoming a horse trainer and riding in the Palio. He forges a relationship with a beautiful horse named Gaudenzia. No one else believes that the mare will ever be more than a workhorse, but Giorgio senses something in the horse, and he's determined to teach her to trust people again--and to prepare her to race. This cherished story from Newbery Award-winning author Marguerite Henry features the original text and illustrations with gorgeous new cover art.

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