Grand Theft Horse

by G. Neri, Corban Wilkin (Illustrator)

Overview

Best Books for Kids, New York Public Library
Tayshas List, Texas Library Association

Yummy author G. Neri returns to graphic novels with the powerful story of his cousin Gail Ruffu, who stole a racehorse in order to save it, and ended up fighting the whole racing industry for the humane treatment of animals.

Gail Ruffu was a rookie trainer known for her unconventional methods and ability to handle dangerous horses. When she became part owner of an untamed thoroughbred named Urgent Envoy, everything changed. After Urgent Envoy showed real promise, her co-owners forced Gail to speed up training and race him too early, causing the horse to develop a hairline shin fracture. Refusing to drug the horse to keep it running, Gail lost Urgent Envoy to her partners, who pushed the horse even harder. One more race would kill him. When nobody heeded her warnings, Gail had to act.

So on Christmas Eve, she rescued her own horse. A modern-day outlaw, Gail evaded private investigators and refused to give the horse up. Blacklisted by the racing world, she learned the law at night to take on a powerful L.A. attorney determined to crush her in court. As she stood up for the humane treatment of racehorses, she also faced down the system that caused their demise.

In this gorgeous graphic biography, G. Neri, author of the acclaimed Yummy and Ghetto Cowboy, retells the life of his cousin Gail, a pioneer who challenged the horse racing world for the sake of one extraordinary horse. With illustrations by brilliant newcomer Corban Wilkin, it is a must-read for horse lovers everywhere.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620148556
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	09/25/2018
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	161,601
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

G. NERI is the Eisner-nominated, Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author of Yummy: the Last Days of a Southside Shorty , which Flavorwire hailed as one of the top 25 essential graphic novels of all time. He has written ten books for young people, including the Lee Bennett Hopkins Promising Poet Award-winner, Chess Rumble, and his books have been translated into multiple languages in more than 25 countries. Mr. Neri lives on the Gulf coast of Florida with his wife and daughter. For more information, visit his website at www.gneri.com.

CORBAN WILKIN is the recipient of the 2012 Cape/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Prize for his comic But I Can't and was nominated for the 2014 British Comics Awards in the Emerging Talent category for the graphic novel Breaker's End . He lives in London, England.

Editorial Reviews

07/09/2018
In what the author’s introduction calls a “secondhand memoir” about his cousin, G. Neri (Tru & Nelle) details Gail Ruffu’s lifelong love of horses and career as a racehorse trainer. When Ruffu buys her own horse, Urgent Envoy, the partnership turns sour as her co-owner demands to cut corners around the horse’s training and care. To protect Urgent Envoy from likely death, Ruffu rescues the animal on Christmas Eve, whisking him away to a secret location.She faces alienation, years of legal battles, and limited employment opportunities as her former partner makes her life miserable with investigations and surveillance. The narrative focuses primarily on Ruffu’s connection to Urgent Envoy but intersperses early encounters with horses. Using thick outlines, grainy backgrounds, and unflattering depictions, artwork by Wilkin (But I Can’t) evokes Will Eisner’s drawings and articulates the story’s descent into a dark world around racehorses and animal care. Neri’s storytelling captures the everyday dedication and sacrifice behind Ruffu’s tale and manages to feel both potent and unpretentious. Ages 12–up. Agent: Edward Necarsulmer IV,Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

* "The graphic novel world isn't full of true stories about nearly sixty-year-old, women of color who refuse to back down from wealthy, white men exploiting (and further corrupting) a corrupt system. Grand Theft Horse feels all the more timely and urgent because of it." — Booklist, starred review

* This gripping seven-part exposé lifts the veil on corruption in the horse racing industry and introduces one of the sport's pioneers. . . . VERDICT Superb. Ruffu's tenacity and the book's satisfying conclusion will appeal to fans of John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell's "March" trilogy. — School Library Journal, starred review

"The pen-and-ink illustrations vividly capture the drama of this riveting tale that will provoke readers to ponder the ethics of our treatment of animals who suffer for human entertainment as well as the actions of a woman who broke the law to stand up for her principles and the horse she loved. Amid the strife and sadness there are moments of joy and passion, and the message of standing up for your convictions makes this a necessary tale." — Kirkus Reviews

"In what the author's introduction calls a 'secondhand memoir' about his cousin, G. Neri details Gail Ruffu's lifelong love of horses and career as a racehorse trainer. The narrative focuses primarily on Ruffu's connection to Urgent Envoy but intersperses early encounters with horses. Using thick outlines, grainy backgrounds, and unflattering depictions, artwork by Wilkin evokes Will Eisner's drawings and articulates the story's descent into a dark world around racehorses and animal care. Neri's storytelling captures the everyday dedication and sacrifice behind Ruffu's tale and manages to feel both potent and unpretentious." — Publishers Weekly

"Intense and candid, the story underscores the risks and rewards of uncompromised activism." — The Horn Book Magazine

"Grand Theft Horse is a fascinating deep dive into the world of high-stakes horse racing told with captivating illustrations and a razor sharp narrative. Neri and Wilkin capture the amazing true story of an unsung American hero in Gail Ruffu. This is one graphic novel every horse lover should read. I couldn't put it down." — Brendan Reichs, New York Times bestselling author of NEMESIS

"The world loves an underdog and Grand Theft Horse reminds us that underdogs can and do win. This will be a hit with animal lovers of any age. A phenomenal read—I loved it." — A.S. King, Printz Award winner and author of STILL LIFE WITH TORNADO

"In this Brockovich-meets-Seabiscuit tale, Greg Neri's (and Gail Ruffu's) love of horses shines through. This story grabs you straight out of the gate and doesn't let go until it gallops down the stretch to the finish line. Neri's story and Wilkin's illustrations work hand in hand to show the bone-jarring (and sometimes grim) reality of horse racing—and one woman's love for the graceful animals that make it all possible. Grab the garland of roses; Grand Theft Horse is standing in the winner's circle." — Eric Luper, author of SETH BAUMGARTNER'S LOVE MANIFESTO and BUG BOY

"The Grand Theft Horse team steers us hard and true into a tale of kidnapping and escape. . . . [A] spellbinding triumph of human empathy." — Paul Griffin, author of WHEN FRIENDSHIP FOLLOWED ME HOME

"Part Western, part Whopper, I can't stop thinking about this Wanted Woman with a heart for horses!" — NAACP Image Award Winner Tanya Lee Stone

"Grand Theft Horse is an original story seldom told: of a woman who sacrifices everything to the matrix of capitalism, bureaucracy, and incarceration in order to bring us closer to our humanity." — Tony Medina, author of I AM ALFONSO JONES

"Greg Neri's true-life account of his cousin Gail Ruffu's efforts to save a beloved racehorse force readers to examine the difference between what is legal, what is moral, and which should win out when there's a life on the line. Neri beautifully captures the plainspoken voice and deliberate actions of his cousin Gail, whose love and concern for a racehorse will leave readers cheering." — Crystal Hubbard, author of THE LAST BLACK KING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY

"A compelling page-turner of a story that will move you to anger and tears. Grand Theft Horse is a graphic novel to share, ponder, talk about, and love. Neri and Wilkin have crafted a thing of wonder, brilliance, and beauty." — Andrew Smith, Michael L. Printz Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award author of GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE

"G. Neri and Corban Wilkin give readers a duo to love in Gail and Urgent Envoy and deliver a thrilling story full of suspense, hope, courage, and heart." — Gigi Amateau, author of CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER

"A very entertaining blend of biography and comics, and an inspiring story!" — Steve Sheinkin, author of MOST DANGEROUS and THE PORT CHICAGO 50

"Through compelling dialog and expressive illustrations, this thought-provoking true story about Gail Ruffu's law-breaking attempts to save a beloved racehorse will leave readers pondering how far they would go to fight injustice and protect the vulnerable. A literary winner from starting gate to finish line." — Donna Janell Bowman, author of STEP RIGHT UP: HOW DOC AND JIM KEY TAUGHT THE WORLD ABOUT KINDNESS

Best Books for Kids, New York Public Library
Tayshas List, Texas Library Association

From the Publisher

09/01/2018
Gr 7 Up—Neri's graphic novel biography of his cousin Gail Ruffu mixes true crime and legal drama with horse racing and animal activism. When "horse whisperer" Ruffu met Urgent Envoy, she felt a deep connection. Teaming up with Bud Clayton and his horse racing syndicate, she invested in the horse as a co-owner and trainer. On Christmas Eve the next year, in 2004, Ruffu stole Urgent Envoy to keep him from racing to death after he developed a hairline shin fracture. But the others didn't see it that way. As they pressed charges and denied Ruffu's side of the story, Ruffu risked everything—her career, her horse racing license, potential jail time—for justice. This gripping seven-part exposé lifts the veil on corruption in the horse racing industry and introduces one of the sport's pioneers. As the narrative jumps through time and travels between locations (mostly Texas and California), readers learn more about Ruffu, including her "Air Force brat" upbringing and Creole heritage. Wilkin's boldly outlined pen-and-ink art is all angles and scratchy lines, expertly conveying emotions and action sequences. Appended photographs of the subjects enrich the work, as does a call-to-action afterword from Ruffu. VERDICT Superb. Ruffu's tenacity and the book's satisfying conclusion will appeal to fans of John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell's "March" trilogy.—Alec Chunn, Eugene Public Library, OR

School Library Journal