Sergeant Reckless:the True Story of the Little Horse Who Became a Hero

Reviewed by: Kathy George - Gray Publlic Library, Gray, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 9, 2018

Review

Several years ago the summer reading theme was about heroes. This is when I became aware of Reckless.How nice to now have a book that introduces readers to this remarkable hero. She began as a Korean racehorse called Flame. She was small and of a red hue. When the Korean War began her owner could not keep her. She was surviving on her own until she was found by a marine company who was looking for a mule to help them carry heavy ammunition uphill to a cannon position. She was no mule and small but she would turn out to be more than the marines could ever have hoped for. The narrative tells her story in small snipets with Bruno's illustrations done mostly in browns to support the text.She manages to capture the hearts of the marine company and the reader and you just hope she survives the war. Spoiler alert- she does and her fellow marines make sure she comes home with them. She is the only animal to hold a military rank, receive two purple hearts, and retire with full military honors.This is a story of loyalty, bravery,and an unconditional bond between man and animal. It works well for units about heroes, the military, history and animals. This is a story that should be told and should be read.

Overall Book Score: excellent