Star Gazer feels like a loser. No matter how hard he pulls his sulky, the trotting horse never wins a race.
Declared useless by his owner, poor Star Gazer is sold to a carriage driver in Philadelphia. Pulling tourists on tours of the city, Star Gazer learns about history and the importance of the US Constitution. With the help of two special new friends, he learns to read so he can discover even more and learns to speak to tourists in their own languages. He discovers how different countries have different beliefs and political systems.
When winter comes, his poverty-stricken owner can't afford to feed Star Gazer, but the half-starved horse still has to pull a sled. Life isn't going well, but when disaster strikes the US president, Star Gazer's the only one who can save him. Will he be up to the challenge?
An inspiring tale of courage, Star Gazer, the Horse Who Loved History encourages elementary students to explore US history and promote world peace.
About the Author: Johanna J. Smith, MA, LPC, combines her passionate love of children, horses, and history in Star Gazer, the Horse Who Loved History. Ms. Smith's love of horses dates back to her childhood experiences as an accomplished equestrian in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
After graduating from Appalachian State University with a BS in English, Ms. Smith earned a master's degree in psychology from the University of West Georgia. She then moved to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where she taught tribal children in the town of Koribundo. Her time in Sierra Leona allowed Ms. Smith to observe firsthand how absolute poverty and lack of education fosters conflict between nations. Ms. Smith also lived in Rabat, Morocco, where she taught English as a second language.
Ms. Smith maintains a private psychotherapy practice for children and adults close to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She can be reached at Maytell12@gmail.com and 215-620-9963.
