97 pages • 3 hours read
Anna SewellBlack Beauty
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1877A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell follows the life of a horse named Black Beauty in 19th-century England. Narrated in the first person, the story begins with Beauty's happy early life and training, moves through his time with a kind owner named Squire Gordon, and details his subsequent hardships and changing owners, reflecting themes of kindness, responsibility, and animal welfare. The novel addresses themes including alcohol abuse, animal cruelty, and the impacts of industrialization.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Anna Sewell's Black Beauty is celebrated for its enduring themes of animal welfare and empathy, touching readers across generations. Readers praise its evocative narrative and poignant portrayal of cruelty and kindness. However, some modern readers find its moralistic tone dated. Overall, it's a timeless, impactful read that continues to resonate with audiences.
Who Should Read Black Beauty?
A reader who would enjoy Black Beauty by Anna Sewell is typically fond of classic literature, animal stories, and poignant tales of compassion and empathy. Similar to fans of Anna Sewell, those who cherish works like Charlotte's Web by E.B. White or Old Yeller by Fred Gipson would likely find Black Beauty captivating.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
850LBook Details
Classic Fiction
Historical Fiction
Action / Adventure
Animals
Addiction / Substance Abuse
Class
Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality
Society: Class
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Victorian Period