Black Diamond, the horse, and Blake share a special bond. Black Diamond was a race horse that become a prison horse after aging. In the prison it is Blake's job to take care of the horse. These two characters become close. Blake is done his prison term and leaves Black Diamond. He starts working and saves up money to buy Black Diamond from the prison. ( )

Reviewed by Jaglvr for Kids @ TeensReadToo.com

BLACK DIAMOND & BLAKE is a beautiful story of trust and friendship.

Black Diamond is a champion racehorse. He receives treats, praises, cheers, and flowers after his many wins. He runs his heart out for his racetrack family. Each race he vows to win for them.

He loses his first race, by just a little, and receives no praise or cheers. After he stumbles in another race and hurts his leg, he hears "Boo" from the audience and is left alone.

After that race, a man, stinking of smoke, comes and buys Black Diamond. Black Diamond is nervous until a soft voice leads him to the horse trailer, saying he's going home. But Black Diamond is home - and he doesn't know what is happening to his world.

Black Diamond finds himself behind prison walls, literally. For him, it's truly a prison...he's used to running free. He has become part of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The Foundation rescues retired racehorses and pairs them with prisons to help develop bonds between the horses and the inmates. Black Diamond is reserved and hesitant until an
inmate, Blake, befriends him.

They spend time together every day, but when Blake is released, Black Diamond is worse off than before. It's only when Blake comes back for him that Black Diamond truly find his home.

I found BLACK DIAMOND & BLAKE a bit sad, so overly-sensitive children may be upset by the story if they don't make it to the happy ending. But the bond that Black Diamond and Blake form is truly special, and the story will leave you feeling loved and treasured by the last page.

Ms. Blumenthal presents the information about a true foundation in a unique perspective, one that children will come to love and will want to read about over and over again. ( )