Joe Green (Ch20 / Q15)

In this chapter, I think that the author is trying to tell us that you should always do something if anyone is being mistreated because if everyone just walked by without doing anything someone could get hurt. In this chapter Joe becomes tike a man. He helps some horses from being flogged to death. If he hadn't helped those horses may hay met a messy end. Also Joe's evidence might give that man two or three months in prison. Just goes to show you that you should always, even if not wanted, help others.

Only Ignorance (Ch19 / Q3)

I really like the idea that ignorance is almost as bad as wickedness because wickedness is doing bad with the intent of doing it while ignorance is doing bad with out the intent. Both are still bad. I really dislike the idea that ignorance is almost as bad as wickedness because sometimes there isn't enough time to find out what you need and other times it is an accident. In this chapter John and Joe Green's dad are talking about ignorance. Joe's dad wants John to tell Joe that he is doing an ok job. John tells him that he is worried about Beauty and will try to get a good word to him. Joe's dad is relived that it was only ignorance. John makes him understand that it is not ok.

Going For the Doctor ( Ch18 / Q21)

If I could be a character in this book, I would be Black Beauty because he is loyal and kind, and always wants what's best for his master. In this chapter something terrible is happening. The mistress is very ill. Beauty was fast asleep when John came and woke him up. He told Beauty about the mistress and they galloped into town. Beauty ran like he never ran before. There with John and back with the doctor. Luckily the doctor got there in time to save the mistress. But just barely. Unluckily, Joe was the one who set him down for the night. Joe didn't know what to do. By the time John got home Beauty was sick. I hope he gets better.

John Manly's Talk (Ch17 / Q26)

John Manly's Talk (Ch17 / Q26)

The situation in this chapter reminds me of a similar situation in my life when my friend Erik went to a different school. At first it was hard to get used to it. But it didn't last long because I still get to see him. The similarity between Erik's and James' situation is that they are both moving away from the familiar. The difference is that it is a lot harder for Beauty to see James than it is for me to see Erik. I am happy that Erik left because the other kids teased him. But I still miss not being able to see him at lunch. Also he is very happy at his new school so I have few worries.

The Fire (Ch16 / Q9)

The character I respect most is James because if it weren't for him Beauty and Ginger probably would have died in the fire. Despite James and the other men's courage two horses still lay in the ruble of the stables. It all started when one man came into the stables with a lighted pipe. Another man told him to throw down some hay but to put down his pipe first. Stubbornly he didn't listen. Not realizing the danger he, left his pipe in the hay loft. Disaster was bound to happen. During the night it happened. First it was just some smoke that woke the horses up. Then terror broke out in the horse's minds. Then James burst in and got Beauty outside. Then he went back for Ginger. The stable hands were able to get most of the horses out except for two. Maybe they are in a better place.

James Howard (Ch14 / Q6)

This chapter made me think about working hard for something you really want to do because James has to work hard to learn how to drive a carriage because he wants to get a job from Squire Gordon's brother-in-law. In this chapter James has been offered a job and has to work as hard as he can to get the job. He goes out in the carriage as much as possible to perfect his skills as a carriage driver. Under the guiding hand of James, Beauty and Ginger hurriedly traversed the loud and narrow streets of the city. James is pretty good at carriage driving. I hope he gets the job.

The Devil's Trademark (Ch13 / Q28)

A quote that expresses the theme that cruelty is wrong is, "...he said that cruelty is the Devil's own trademark...," because if you are being cruel you won't get very far in life. In this chapter there was a boy who was trying too make a pony jump over a gate that was to high for him. Finally the pony just tipped him into a thorn bush and his father taught him a lesson. Hopefully he will make a better decision next time.

A Stormy Day (Ch12 / Q10)

If I were Squire Gordon at this part of the story I wound give Beauty the rest of the week off. This is because if it weren't for Beauty he, John, and Beauty would probably all be dead. It was a dark and stormy night. The wind was blowing fiercely. The trees were moaning under the furry of the wind. The river was swelling under the continuous downpour of the rain. And the water's humongous force caused the bridge to crack and strain. Until it became too much. The Squire and John wanted to go on but Beauty didn't move. It saved their lives. Beauty deserves the rest.

Plain Speaking (Ch11 / Q8)

I like the character Squire Gordon because he dislikes bad treatment of anyone or anything. He and the mistress always have something to say when they see someone being mistreated. Once when the Squire was riding Beauty they saw a man tormenting a little pony because he turned in the wrong direction. The Squire put a stop to that. Then he told someone off for using check-reins on his horses. Yes. You can always count on Squire Gordon to stop the mistreating.

A Talk in the Orchard (Ch10 / Q 4)

The setting is important in this chapter because it is almost the exact opposite of the mood. It was bright and sunny and the horses were on holiday but they were talking about some of the dreadful things men had done. One horse had had his tail taken away. Then a horse's friend's puppies were taken away and had pieces of their ears, noses, and tails cut away. And it was all for fashion. Also there were some horrible accidents that had come about because of blinkers on the horses. Two horses had drowned and one badly injured. All for fashion. Yes. All for fashion.

Merrylegs (Ch9 / Q15)

In this chapter, I think the author is trying to tell us that we should be thoughtful of other people's and creature's feelings because like Merrylegs almost all living things have feelings and get tired so you should always be considerate. In this chapter Merrylegs gives the little boys a run for their money. Merrylegs had been giving the little girls a ride and it was the boy's turn. But they didn't realize that Merrylegs had feelings or got tired so they made him go faster and faster. Finally Merrylegs had had enough and tipped them off backwards. Just goes to show you that you should never under estimate anyone.

Ginger's Story Continues (Ch8 / Q29)

A quote that contains a special image or figure of speech in this chapter is, "...'tis 'the Birtwick horse balls, she'll be as good as Black Beauty by and by...", because it is John's little joke about how to turn a horse good. The Birtwick horse-balls are patience and gentleness, firmness and petting; one pound of each to be mixed with a pint of common-sense, and given to the horse every day. In this chapter Ginger tells Beauty the rest of her story. Ginger's first was with a man that only cared about a stylish turnout. Also Ginger had to use a checkrein, which forces her to hold her head up. She never ever got even a kind word form that master. Finally it became to much and she was sold. Luckily things got better after that because now she is experiencing the Birtwick horse-balls.

Ginger ( Ch7 / Q30)

The character Ginger reveled something new about herself when she said, "Well, if I had had your bringing up, I might have had as good a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall." She revealed the reasons that she had such a bad temper. Ginger had had a very bad life. First she was taken away from her mother as soon as she was weaned and put with a lot of other colts. Then boys through rocks at them to make them gallop. After that she was forced o be broken in by one person holding her mouth open while another forced the bit and halter into her mouth. Even worse, she was almost torn apart by a horrible master that wanted her to do everything he wanted. Finally, Ginger came to Birtwick Park. For the best I hope.

Liberty ( Ch6 / Q9)

The character I most respect is Beauty because he is nice, trustful, and good tempered. In this chapter Beauty expresses something that he misses the most, his liberty. He went from an open field to a stable were he hast to almost always stand up. Even though he is in a wonderful place he still misses a place where he can run, role over, and jump for joy. A place where the grass is green, the wind is blowing, and he can frolic with other horses.

A Fair Start (Ch5 / Q21)

If I could be a character in this book, I would be Black Beauty because he is nice, trustful, and good tempered. In this chapter Beauty's new master likes him a lot. He likes his character, like his good temper and his trustfulness. Also he get his name, Black Beauty.

Birtwick Park (Ch4 / Q22)

In this chapter, the character Merrylegs reminds me of my grandpa because both are old and know a great deal. Birtwick Park was Beauty's second home. There he met Ginger, Merrylegs, John, and James. Ginger was a snappy horse because of mistreatment from former masters. Merrylegs is a 12 year old pony with a lot of knowledge and told Beauty that there was not a better place for a horse than Birtwick Park. This is because John is the groom and James is his helper and they treat their horses very well.

My Breaking In (Ch 3 / Q27)

An important quote from this chapter is, "...but a horse never knows who may buy him, or who may drive him: it is all chance for us...". It is of great importance to the book because Beauty can never decide his master. He goes to many different masters, some good, some not so good. Even some actually mean to him. His first master was a kind and gentle man, he tried to make Beauty's breaking as easy as possible. He almost always with him and prepared him for the hardships of life. He especially prepared him for the overwhelming sounds that surround a working horse by putting him in a field next to railroad tracks.

The Hunt (Ch 2 / Q16)

Three images that struck me in this chapter are the huntsmen chasing the rabbit, the horse being shot, and the long line of black carriages. This was not a very happy chapter. First the little rabbit is almost torn apart by dogs at the end of the chase. Then a horse that Beauty's mom knows is shot. After that someone's son dies of a broken neck and a line of black carriages goes to his funeral. A very sad chapter indeed.

My Early Home (Ch 1 / Q8)

I dislike the character Dick because he torments the colts by throwing sticks and stones at them. In contrast to this, Black Beauty still had a very nice home and an even nicer master. Black Beauty and his mother were their master's favorites. Luckily, Dick was caught at his game and fired.

WELCOME TO BEAUTY'S READIN LOG

This blog is my summer reading journal for my pre-AP English class. They require a chapter by chapter journal. This year's book is Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. My teachers provided a list of reader response lead-ins that we must use to start the topic of that journal entry for that chapter. I hope that you enjoy my logs and maybe you will read Black Beauty too!