This is a wonderful engrossing work by Elliott! It follows Bea and Vivian after they were abandoned by their father. Luckily he left them on a farm owned by one of their mother’s friend’s family. It was there that Bea realized that she loves to ride and care for horses. Through the story she is reminded of her mother. The Great Depression is a time of sorrow and sadness, but this story breathes life into the experience. Just like Ralph who was always focused on hope, this story becomes a hopeful look at people’s resilience even when there seems to be no reason to hope. I loved this book!

The first noteworthy thing about this book is the perspective. Typically books about the Depression focus on the Dust Bowl, on farmers. This book instead shows us people used to privilege. Bea goes from a comfortable home and her own pony to life on the road, hiding nights in barns, as her father fails to cope with his extreme change in circumstances. We see the same stress and loss in the Scott home as the lady of the house and just a few beloved employees try to keep the the taxes paid and the lights on. We see people helping each other and trying to maintain a little dignity even in the worst circumstances. Importantly, we also see racial injustice, failings of government, and the wasteful displays of wealth by the hyper rich. We see cruelty and it's echoing effect on those at the receiving end and on bystanders. While the ending is a bit idealized the parallels between an abused horse and people damaged by circumstance are a solid metaphor for this age group.

What a wonderful story that reads more like a biography than a work of fiction. The author quietly brings you into the story that you will be so engrossed in that you will want to read the book over and over again! It may be geared for a juvenile audience, but adults will thoroughly enjoy it too. It was very enlightening to learn about the upkeep on horses as well as the training and dedication needed in order to compete. While that was interesting, throwing in the way the depression affected people in various ways was truly eye opening. My parents lived through that era but never understood all the different ramifications and fallout from it. This is truly an amazing story that will forever remain in my heart.
I received an advanced reader copy for free from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Whoa! Hold your horses and read this extraordinary upper primary/middle school chapter book. This book is sneaky in that it incorporates history seamlessly. I even learned quite a bit that I wasn’t familiar with.like how they incorporated black soldiers into WWI working side by side we the “regular” infantry. But when they returned they weren’t given the same welcome or government benefits which, at the time amounted to a lot of money. Timely to reflect on how things are slow to change. More lessons on president zHoover and the New Deal. Actually, Bea was listening to her elders and that is how her horse came by the name. Yes I will definitely be recommending this book for readings as a class, at home with parents, their reading clubs/circles.

I would like to thank the following for giving me the opportunity to review early. All opinions are my own.
NetGalley
Publisher: #HarperCollinsCildren’sBooks
Author: #LMElliott
Publication Date: 23March2023

Bea and the New Deal Horse is a well-written and engaging story of two sisters enduring hard times during the Great Depression. Having lost everything they are trying to make a way for themselves after their mother dies and their father abandons them.

Very unhappy and disappointed the story includes some spiritism. Liked the char and story other than that.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for NetGalley.

Wow, what a book!!
(The ten-year-old me smiled, had teary eyes, gasped, and squeeeed! throughout this entire story!)
(Just to clarify, I’m 53.)I cannot wait for this one to be released in 2023!
L.M. Elliot managed to include everything I love about a book in this book:
Middle-grade historical fiction about the Great Depression-check!
Precocious little sister-check!
Fiercely protective older sister-check!
Gruff, but kindly strangers-check!
Horses, horses, horses-check!
A gorgeous cover-check!
Great author notes at the end-check!
Setting of Virginia-check!
If this book had been published when there was a ten-year-old me, I would have read it and re-read it until the covers fell off! 😅 Hats off to L.M. Elliot; she’s written another winner!
*Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

this was a unique story in the Great Depression era, usually it's done about farming or other parts to it. Bea was a interesting character and I appreciated that she was a great main character. The plot does what I was hoping for and it was so well done. I enjoyed the way L. M. Elliott wrote this and look forward to more from them.

"I slowed to pass Ralph quietly, so I wouldn’t disturb him, but he reached out with his unhurt hand to touch my ankle. “Young’un,” he murmured. “Be sure to give that old beauty a carrot for me, ya hear? Reward her for her hard work. A lump of sugar can work wonders sometimes with the other one, too.”

Pleasant upper elementary/lower middle grade horse novel set during the Depression. It's all tied up a bit too neatly with a bow in my opinion, but it is still an enjoyable read and kids who are interested in all things horses will likely enjoy it. Think the Saddle Club, but with more history and progressive values.